Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to start by welcoming our witnesses. Mr. Coates is somebody I've actually had the pleasure of working with in other capacities. I have a great deal of respect for his knowledge on these particular issues. I'm glad to see that he's here. From my hometown, of course, I welcome Mr. Benoit and Mr. Goodon.
Mr. Benoit, I would also like to say you referenced your father saying that things might be “backasswards”. As my father would have said, perhaps it's the wrong em-pha-sis on the proper syl-lab-le, but I certainly appreciate the sentiment.
I want to start by asking a question. Perhaps both Mr. Benoit and Mr. Goodon can take a shot at it. We've heard a lot of concern around land, specifically, and concerns that if this legislation, as is, were to pass, in some way, shape or form this would encroach upon certain territories where rights are currently granted to both first nations and, I would imagine, from your perspective, the Manitoba Métis.
Can you comment, please, on your understanding or perception of the legislation vis-à-vis land? If my assumption is correct that you do have some concerns there, are there particular amendments within the frame of this legislation that you think would get us in a direction that the MMF would be more amenable to on that specific question?