Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of our witnesses this afternoon.
I would like to engage with all of you. Most of you mentioned free, prior and informed consent even qualifying in this as an investment for a project's success, if I heard you correctly.
I tend to agree with that but I want to start with you, Brian. We've worked many years together in the past, in my previous life. You say in paragraph 3 of your presentation that the Cree of Eeyou do not suggest that their experience with energy projects necessarily holds lessons for others.
I beg to differ on that. You mentioned section 22 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement as being an important chapter in the agreement that contains a recognition of a right to development to the territory for those acting lawfully in the territory. It's been part of the rules of the game in northern Quebec for many years now.
I understand that the Cree, over the years since they first signed the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975, have had over 80 agreements since then.
Would you qualify those 80 agreements that we signed with mining companies, Hydro-Québec, the two governments and so on, as free, prior and informed consent in action?