Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to thank the people from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and the Department of Justice for being here this morning.
I was involved for a number of years in the process, or in the assessment and review system, under Chapter 22 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. It is a process that provides time limits for project assessment and review, which are very clear otherwise. I know that after more than 40 years of this system in northern Quebec, the industry has become accustomed to this process, which at first seemed very difficult and complex. However, over time, everyone has become used to it.
I listened to your presentation carefully.
First of all, can you explain the process, from the moment it is initiated and how it is initiated, until the decision is made? This is extremely important, both to the industry and to the people who live in these communities, as well as to the indigenous peoples who have rights and interests at stake because of development. Can you explain the process from point A to the end, so that we can understand it?