Thank you, Chair, and thank your the folks who are here to testify to us today.
I do have some particular questions. We know that a lot of indigenous businesses are really struggling with section 89 of the Indian Act. That section really creates a lot of economic inequalities.
In the role that you play in working with ISC, are there feedback loops for indigenous businesses to let you know what's working and what's not working, and to identify some of the key legislation federally that has an impact on their business and their capacity to create more wealth?
What I've heard again and again from indigenous leadership is that they're frustrated with incremental change. It's just a little bit by a little bit. I've also heard though they may have the capacity to do bigger projects, they can't access those bigger projects because they can't get those portions of their business proposals bonded.
If this commitment by all departments is serious, what dialogue and discussions are happening to address these issues arising in different federal department through the Indian Act, with huge economic impacts on indigenous communities?