I appreciate your questions. In terms of a study and how that would propose....
I'll let my colleague at Justice Canada correct me if I'm wrong, but this would likely be the first time in federal law that we've talked about an asserted treaty right to water specifically. It could be historic, in that way, to support first nations in bringing forth their views, not just on a written treaty but on oral promises associated with the treaty relationship.
In addition, we'll just point back to the rights section. Nothing in this bill can lessen existing treaty rights and aboriginal rights of rights holders. They are protected in clause 3 under “Rights”, which applies to the entirety of the bill.
The other component is that there are some first nations who may not consider themselves treaty rights holders right now, so this would provide a space for all first nations to engage in the conversation on asserted treaty rights to water.
Thank you.