Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the panel for taking time out of your busy day, I'm sure, to meet with us and discuss this matter before us.
The bill mandates that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is to work collectively with first nations to report on annual progress that talks about replacing and repealing the Indian Act with a set of laws that more respectfully outlines the relationship between the crown and first nations.
Do you agree that the Indian Act cannot be removed overnight?