We're proud to be a part of this process because I think negotiated treaties will provide the certainty that British Columbia needs.
There are, with things like liquified natural gas, opportunities there; a chance to create a strong economic base for first nations and full partnership with industry and other levels of government.
This item indicates that funding is to provide technical and professional expertise and services to the regional claims, and treaty negotiators in British Columbia renewed for an additional two years. This include services for legal surveys, land management, and land tenure regimes, as well as forest management and assessment.
There are also tools for the support of other processes that may go on in the instance of resource development: cultural mapping and traditional land use planning to name a few.
The renewed funds and the authorities allow NRCan to continue supporting the negotiation of comprehensive land claim agreements, including self-government agreements in British Columbia for the period of April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2016. This funding was introduced under our government in 2008 to 2009.
Modern treaty negotiations flow from the agreement of Canada, British Columbia, and first nations to establish that new relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding, and for the purposes of natural resources to support a process where first nations have the opportunity to become involved in all aspects of responsible resource development.