Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Ambassador, for being here today and sharing your knowledge with us. We do appreciate that.
In your comments, you said that you would support Bill C-29.
My first question is a two-part question.
First, is that in the sense of the way it is, or are you looking for any changes or amendments that we might talk about in the next few minutes?
Second, maybe you can include in there reference to some comments that the Manitoba Métis Federation president, Mr. Chartrand, made back in June of 2022, which I would interpret as not supporting this legislation. He said:
I think Canada needs to catch up with their agreements that they’ve signed [and] commitments they’ve made.... I am looking forward to a call or a letter with minister Miller...whoever is going to be the lead [on this], to advise the Red River Métis of our involvement.”
You're saying you support it, but the president didn't seem to be supporting it back at the end of June. Was there a call or was there some interaction that has changed your federation's position on this piece of legislation?