Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to my colleague.
Good afternoon and welcome to the committee. I wish to thank you for being here. We have been studying this bill for a few weeks now. We have had the good fortune, and I would say privilege, to hear from several witnesses such as the First Nations Assembly, the First Nations Assembly of Quebec and of Labrador, Chief Fontaine and Chief Picard. There is a great sense of agreement in all of the comments that have been brought to us.
Grand Chief General, I would be remiss in not commending you for your work and your presentation -- which we unfortunately did not hear in its entirety because of a lack of time -- as well as for the brief you submitted, which very clearly outlines your opinion.
You underscored the importance of balancing collective rights and individual rights. You also talk about your concern over aboriginal rights should this act come into force, you say that you need time to measure the repercussions it will have on your communities.
Grand Chief General, your document talks about the 633 first nations. Throughout Canada, there seems to be a gathering consensus.