Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses. Meegwetch.
My first question is for the first nations advisory committee on safe drinking water, particularly Chief Whetung‑MacInnes.
It's a pleasure to see you again and to have this discussion in a formal setting such as this one. Here is where these issues must be addressed and these debates must be held.
I would be curious to hear your views on Bill C‑61, which was tabled long before the special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation visited and tabled his report in April 2024. In the report, he urges the Government of Canada to do more to guarantee the right to safe drinking water for indigenous communities.
Using the term “best efforts” when it comes to providing funding appears to be a loophole, not a guarantee that the money will be sufficient or a commitment that the funding will be both stable and predictable.
Do you think we should amend Bill C‑61 to ensure that the government, rather than simply doing its best, will guarantee that the money will be sufficient, stable and predictable?