Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the presenters for their very interesting presentations.
I was especially happy to hear Mr. Brennan's comments. I was actually excited to hear some of the comments regarding developing refineries in order to maximize employment. That's not a new idea; it's been around for a long time. People right across Canada have been watching and making that observation.
I was also very excited to hear your comments on how aboriginal governments need to be included. There has to be a new approach. I think we can all agree that working with indigenous people up front and involving them from the planning stage to production is always a lot better. We get better results, and people will move forward in partnership a lot better than if we ignore them, pretending they don't exist. That would always end up in litigation or protests.
I think there has to be a lot more work done in both areas of creating employment and working with aboriginal people so that they're not viewed as a threat. We certainly have to provide more education on all fronts and demonstrate that there's opportunity to do so.
I like the idea that your organization is developing an energy policy. I'm hoping there's going to be some reference to aboriginal people, maybe a chapter. I totally agree with your recommendation that Canada, provinces, and territories should work on a co-operative national energy strategy.
My first question is to you, Mr. Brennan. Perhaps you could expand a little more on the refineries and on including aboriginal people. I think aboriginal people should be included, right to the point even of the regulatory boards, as we do in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you.