Thank you very much. Thank you, Minister, for coming. We appreciate your being here today.
This is an important piece of legislation, and we acknowledge that it is.
Before I begin my questions, though, I want to make a comment on your remarks. I noticed that you use frequently in your presentation the word “collaboratively”, and we commend you for that. We hope that any future activities with first nations, Métis, Inuit, or whoever will also be done in a collaborative and a consultative manner. As you and I both know, that's the only way there will be any success in dealing with these issues, so I want to acknowledge that.
I have a number of questions, Minister.
Could you speak a bit further about the specific claims over $150 million? You know that there will be a large number of claims that will not have access to the tribunal. They too have to be resolved in a timely and fair manner. Could you comment on how you see those claims unfolding?