Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would like to move that Bill C-61, in clause 5, be amended by replacing lines 19 to 22 on page 8 with the following:
(3) The making of any decision under this Act is to be guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the principle, referred to in the Declaration, of free, prior and informed consent.
It's about further enshrining our commitment to UNDRIP and implementing it. It underscores the importance of that co-development as described in UNDRIP. Specifically, that “consult and co-operate” language is very important for clarity. It also helps with additional definitions and a clarity piece throughout the bill. As well, it's consistent with my province, New Brunswick, where we have a “free, prior and informed consent” clause.
This is a very important amendment that I'd like to put forward.
Thank you.