The term “veto” does not appear within the provisions of UNDRIP, especially in regard to free, prior and informed consent. It is very clear, and it is an international instrument, just like conventions such as the UN charter.
It's fascinating to me that somehow, for indigenous peoples, all of a sudden the rules of engagement from a domestic Canadian perspective to an international community are out the window. We don't have these conversations in regard to the UN charter. We also don't have them concerning the rights of children or rights under many different conventions attempting to allow for human rights to be expressed and enjoyed globally. Somehow, with indigenous people, this doesn't seem to be acceptable, and that is really frustrating.
For the interpretation globally with respect to free, prior and informed consent, we have great examples of nation states that have recognized this concept. We also have many nation states that have not and that have violated indigenous peoples' human rights and have not allowed for free, prior and informed consent.
I hope that Canada wishes to be among the former and wants to uphold indigenous peoples' human rights and the rights that all peoples have.
Free, prior and informed consent, really, is an international concept. It isn't exclusive to indigenous peoples. The democratic processes that are put in place by nation states to allow these rights to exist and for people to exercise them is what is happening here today in real time. I hope that people can appreciate that.