Good morning, members, witnesses and guests.
This is the 50th meeting of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we will be studying the specific claims tribunal process.
This will be our first meeting on the study of specific claims, and in particular, claims that exceed the threshold that was specified in the specific claims policy and law, that being $150 million. As I say, this will be the first of our meetings on this particular study.
Members, before we proceed, I just want to let you know that we do have a fair bit of committee business today. The agenda will show that we have the first hour set aside for our witnesses. I do think we can probably go a little beyond that first hour if necessary, but I will want to leave at least 45 minutes for our committee business. We will proceed accordingly.
With that, I would like to welcome Colleen Swords, associate deputy minister with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
If Ms. Dupont arrives in time, perhaps you can introduce her at that time, Colleen. Then we will go to our next witness.
We'll take each of your presentations in order, and then we'll go to questions from members.
Ms. Swords, please go ahead with your presentation for up to 10 minutes.