It is clear to me that this legislation only deals with first nations people and first nations people on reserve lands. The Métis do not live on first nation lands, so the legislation in its present form, which we are supportive of, does not affect Métis nations.
There is some language in clause 12 around modern treaties and self-government, but there is a policy that the department has under the inherent right policy. There are a number of communities that are negotiating self-government agreements, which are mechanisms that, for all intents and purposes, acknowledge the jurisdiction that has always been there for communities. If a community wants to develop legislation around safe drinking water, then that would be a vehicle under this legislation for that.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, in my community of Akwesasne, if it were devolved to the provinces, they would be relying on Quebec legislation and Ontario legislation to govern their water. Imagine having two systems, depending on where that water treatment facility is, and how you're going to do that. Also, having two sets of rules that your people must be trained on is not practical. Therefore, having mechanisms and legislation that recognize self-government agreements or modern treaties is a positive. This is not in relation to Métis rights, though.