Thank you.
I share your frustration with the lack of time being given to ask our witnesses questions. I wish we had a better process. I think that we can do a lot better as a committee.
My question will be for the legal counsel, Christopher Rapson.
Knowing that treaties are not being implemented to their fullest with first nations and knowing that Canada has ratified multiple international instruments related to the human right to water, can you share with us how this government...? How do you, as a lawyer, reconcile the statement of defence in the Shamattawa case?
I'll quote what they said in their statement of defence regarding the Shamattawa First Nation: “Canada does not owe any legal obligations or duties to operate and maintain the plaintiffs' water systems.”
Can you respond to that, please?