Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Kwe, utshimau Jourdain.
I'm pleased that all the participants here today can shed more light on how to remove barriers to first nations economic development.
Mr. Jourdain, I'm glad that you're here. I admire and appreciate you. I was pleased to hear you speak about Indigenous People Inc. You're an example of empowerment.
You spoke about the situation as it stood in 2014, when you arrived, and the situation as it stands now. You have very concrete and long‑term experience with economic development. We rarely hear from people who are really on the ground. We had ministers here earlier, of course. That said, you're adding to our discussion today.
You said that your speaking time was too short. I would have liked you to elaborate on the issues that concern the federal government. I'm thinking in particular of geographical remoteness, which is a reality for the Atikamekw people, but also for the communities in our area, on the north shore. You referred to the community of Uashat, in Sept‑Îles, which makes up 15% of the city's population. This figure keeps growing, obviously. We could also talk about the community of Chisasibi. This is also the case in Abitibi. In short, all communities are affected.
I'll let you talk about this issue, Mr. Jourdain.