Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon, Mr. McNee. Congratulations on your appointment. I believe that you have everything it takes to be an excellent ambassador, particularly since, because of the March 2006 UN reform, last May, Canada was chosen to sit on the new Human Rights Council. I imagine that either you or a government official will sit on this council.
We have discussed important issues, including Haiti, Darfur, and Uganda. There is also an important issue here in Canada. You are no doubt aware that for over 20 years now, the United Nations has been working on a draft declaration to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples, but the new government appears to be ready to jeopardize the historic consensus that exists between the United Nations and Canada.
You have the ability to advise the government and make recommendations; do you think the time has come for Canada to show leadership in aboriginal rights, particularly since it is one of the UN founding nations, and because it has always been a leader in this area? What would you advise the government to do with respect to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?