Colleagues, staff and minister, it's great to see you here this morning and this afternoon, depending upon where you're doing the Zoom.
Madam Chair, in Cape Breton—Canso I proudly work with six first nations communities. I'm in regular communication with the chiefs and have been throughout the pandemic. Actually, over the past 23 years I've been working with first nations communities. In particular, what I've been hearing is that indigenous communities are happy with the support from the federal government to help them tame the spread of COVID-19.
This minister and many colleagues have been committed to walking the path of reconciliation with indigenous peoples. There has definitely been a focus on implementing commitments made in 2019. The indigenous communities in my riding are extremely grateful for this.
I am hoping to hear what the minister has to say about his commitment to introduce the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and when we can expect that legislation. I believe the minister spoke a little to this in his opening statement, but I'm wondering whether we could unpack it a little more.