Mr. Minister, I want to thank you and your officials for joining us today. I have several questions for you. If possible, I'd appreciate it if you kept your answers brief.
I'd like to start with Vote 25c. Funds have been allocated to the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.
Are any discussions under way with groups that claim to be Métis, or would like to be considered as such, but have not yet been recognized? Will these funds be used to conduct the necessary studies so that talks on this subject can be initiated?