Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Could I just quickly ask about what the possible implications of this wording would be?
We've gone with “consultation and cooperation” because it aligns with UNDRIP and previous legislation that already exists. Of course, I certainly understand and know what free, prior and informed consent means, especially in the context of the local communities that I represent. Also, New Brunswick has a policy provincially. I'm just concerned that perhaps the way it's placed there could be more bureaucracy that could perhaps lead to a delay in implementing the measures in this act, which we've been waiting so long for.
I'd just like to know if I'm interpreting this correctly. Could this, in fact, hold things up for first nations?