I think that is one key element of this legislation that, quite frankly, reflects the engagement process and the collaboration of developing this bill, because that issue came up time and time again in the initial consultations: “How can we trust Canada?” Essentially, if you boil it down, that's what first nations are asking. How can we trust Canada? Canada has not been a good partner to us as first nations for a very long time—some would argue ever.
This legislation attempts to get at that question of trust by creating a mechanism that compels the Government of Canada to work on funding models with first nations so that we move ourselves away from a colonial approach, a top-down approach, from Ottawa, often made by decision-makers who, in some cases, have never set foot in the community where this will deeply impact their members. This actually changes it. It changes the model of decision-making around funding allocations to include first nations voices at the table.
You've heard, I'm sure, so many times, first nations witnesses at this table say—in fact, I heard it from one first nations chief as I was waiting—that we cannot have decisions made behind our backs, whether it's by provinces or territories or by the federal government. They need to be in the conversations. Therefore, the co-development legislation—