Thank you for being here, Mr. Minister. You are accompanied by people who are probably very competent when it comes to the inclusion of aboriginal communities.
There is consensus of sorts here on Bill C-3. I don't think that many people will question the merits of this bill. I say this with all due respect. I feel that this is a good bill that is aimed at resolving an issue brought up by the Court of Appeal of British Columbia and that is making the government get involved.
However, I feel that there is a problem with what you said. Quebec's Aboriginal communities have told me that Bill C-3, which seeks to resolve the problem caused by section 6 of the Act, does not settle the issue of belonging to the community. I will elaborate on this point. If Bill C-3 passes—and I believe that it will pass without many amendments because it meets a need—there will be a problem with reintegrating Aboriginals into reserves with their own membership codes. Authorities are saying that even if Ms. Jane Doe or her children are granted Registered Indian status, people will not accept them in their communities.
Could we add to Bill C-3 a provision that would make it possible to integrate membership codes that already exist? I am mainly referring to the Abenakis of Odanak and several other communities that already have membership codes. This is my first and probably most important question.
You have formed a panel of experts to examine an issue. I would like to know the names of the experts and their qualifications. I would especially like to have in writing the mandate that the Minister has given the panel. If we were familiar with the mandate, we would perhaps be better able to respond to those who will appear before us to answer the first question I asked you.
So, there it is, Mr. Minister. I would like to remind you that my first question is important.