Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate the opportunity to speak to CPC-5 and to move CPC-5.
I think it's an important amendment toward ensuring that first nation rights are protected, as well as understanding what a clear definition of protection zone would be and that the agreement of provinces and territories is absolutely critical to ensuring a smooth process in the development of that.
Pertaining to the protection zone, the amendment would read as follows:
(3) A regulation made under subsection (1) must not come into force unless the Minister has obtained free, prior and informed consent of First Nation governing bodies and the consent of the governments of the provinces and territories.
Mr. Chair, there's been a lot of discussion about this amendment during our various pauses throughout the day. I understand that there also may be a subamendment coming to address some of that language to make it more clear.
I encourage all colleagues around the table to support this amendment. I think it reinforces free, prior and informed consent in UNDRIP, which, of course, is already Canadian law, and will add extra affirmation for provinces and territories to ensure that in regard to any land that may be provincially governed, or any Crown land at this point in time, that could fall into a protection zone, those relevant provinces and territories are at the table to have agreement on what that definition will be.
I'll leave it there for now, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to bring this forward.