I just want to give my colleague an “E” for effort.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I welcome you, Minister Rickford and Deputy Minister Hamilton, to this meeting. We look forward to being able to discuss with you our supplementary estimates.
I do want to thank you both for the excellent leadership you are providing to our nation in the responsible development of our natural resources and also pass through you to the department how much we appreciate the excellent work they are doing on behalf of our country.
As you well know, the natural resources sector is the largest private employer of first nations people in Canada. That's not news to you, sir. In reviewing these estimates, I note that $2.5 million, in vote 1 under operating in the supplementary estimates (B), is for aboriginal participation in west coast energy development.
Could you provide us with more details on how these funds will further enable first nations to make important contributions as full partners in the development of our natural resources?