Colleagues, I call this meeting to order.
This is the 70th meeting of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Today we are continuing our study of Bill C-428. We have two witnesses with us today, one via video conference and the other, Mr. Chartrand, who is of course here in the room.
We'll begin with Chief Perry Bellegarde. Thanks so much for being here. We appreciate your willingness to join us and certainly your time. We'll turn it over to you to begin with. We'll hear your opening statement and then hear the opening statement by Mr. Chartrand in the room. Then we'll begin with questions.