Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I move to amend Bill C-15 in clause 4 by deleting lines 2 to 4 on page 5.
We heard repeatedly from testimony that this piece of the bill does not really do anything. It is merely a notional statement. It doesn't change the way the laws in Canada operate. I recommend that we just strike that from the bill and that this bill be only to provide a framework for the government to implement the declaration.
We heard from Adam Bond, the legal counsel for NWAC, that this was merely window dressing. I would say that it would be better not to have this piece in the bill so that it would not signal in any way that the declaration becomes Canadian law. I think it's important that we strike this from the bill so that we are saying what we mean and meaning what we say when we're legislating in this country.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.