Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses.
I have been on this committee for almost a year, and I am always amazed at the stories we hear from coast to coast to coast. It saddens me to see the acts committed against indigenous communities whose members were expropriated or forced to move.
Over the course of its history, Kahnawake has suffered enormous losses as far as land and use of waterways are concerned, particularly when the St. Lawrence Seaway was constructed. I sincerely hope that the legal proceedings under way will enable you to remedy historical wrongdoings to your satisfaction and that it will allow for some reconciliation.
Grand Chief Diabo, thank you for drawing our attention to the problematic aspects of clause 8 of the bill, which were the subject of prior consultations. First nations water sources are increasingly degraded by industrial activities, agricultural runoff and land-based waste disposal practices. However, first nations leaders have said that indigenous governments are not involved in the management of these water sources.
Can you tell us more about the type of collaboration your community would like to see under Bill C‑61? How would you like to be consulted?
Also, do you have any idea what the definition of a real protected zone should be?