Professor Bourassa, I would like to make some observations on your comments.
One of the first comments you made in your intervention was that first nations communities are not prepared for this legislation. You went on to talk about the experiences of the residential school system, and about the oppression that your peoples are experiencing, which has led to depression and suicidal tendencies.
Attawapiskat has been much in the news in the last several weeks. It certainly is a tragedy and a crisis when there have been 105 suicide attempts in the last six months. I would think that legislation like this would send a confusing message to many indigenous communities. I would appreciate your comments on that.
Could you also say what we could do in this legislation that would help to address the concerns you have for your indigenous communities that might be receiving conflicting messages?