Thank you all for being here.
I want to cover off two topics here.
We've heard comments about the evolution of our engagement and consultation processes, as we learn more about what consultation is. We've had a series of court cases over the years that have been very instructive: Delgamuukw, Gitga'at First Nation, Haida Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation recently.
One of the principles of consultation is accommodation. It's consultation and accommodation. I think it was the Haida Nation that said the common thread on the Crown's part must be the intention of substantially addressing aboriginal concerns. This is what caused the Federal Court of Appeal to quash the Trans Mountain pipeline approvals. I'm not as familiar with the northern gateway approvals, but that happened.
I'm wondering how this learning process goes on in your departments if we don't learn and how this committee and the House of Commons can be more reassured that you'll get it right next time. We continually have these court cases that say the government did it incorrectly. Sometimes it's kind of obvious. A lot of it is due to the fact that both this government and the previous government have tried to hurry things along.
Perhaps it is mostly NRCan and NEB that could comment on that.