Jaime Battiste at the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee

I'm wondering if we can amend the wording a bit to be more consistent with what's represented. There is a specific part in the proposed new clause 8.1 that says:

For greater certainty, nothing in this Act is to be construed as abrogating or derogating from the right to self-determination of Métis collectivities that are not represented by a Métis government

What I would suggest is that it should read, “the right to self-determination of Métis collectivities that have not authorized a Métis government”. With that subamendment I think we would be prepared to support that amendment.

I'm just hearing it on the fly, and I'd welcome the thoughts of the team we have here, who could speak to that a bit better.