Thank you to the witnesses.
Back on November 21, we had officials from the department here. I asked them if they were confident that we have taken care of this as an issue in terms of the title and dealing with all gender-based inequities. They indicated that they were absolutely confident that with these amendments, “we are dealing with all known sex-based inequities in Indian registration.” It's become very clear very quickly that this is not the case. I think there are a few things.
I agree that when there are human rights issues, you have to have consultation. We talk about consultation, but I think in regard to consultation in terms of the experts, what we've learned from every witness who's identified different problems.... I see in some ways a different sort of process that the government must do to make sure that what gets presented, what amendments are made, have really had a look from people who are experts, such as yourself.
Having said that, what I have recommended and proposed—although my Liberal colleagues don't want to support it—is phase two should be left for big picture issues, that we need to get this piece of legislation right. I'm not confident. We could scramble a few amendments forward and maybe rush it through, but I think we're going to be back dealing with the same issues. I'm not saying we should take a long time, but I think they should ask for an extension, have the dialogue with people that can really make sure that they're identifying any other issues, and then move forward. Otherwise, we'll sit for another five or six years.
I would invite everyone to comment. Do you believe that is probably the best approach to make sure this legislation is right?