Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The second motion is on a different topic. It has to do with indigenous people.
One of the challenges I see is that some indigenous people enjoy the privileges of reserve status under the Indian Act while others don't. That disparity seems pretty significant to me. It seems to me that for the process for getting status, everyone is passing the buck and nothing is moving forward. I would like the process to be clearer. This is the notice of motion that I tabled on June 16. The motion reads as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g) of the House of Commons, the committee recommend that the Auditor General of Canada conduct a performance audit of the federal Additions to Reserve, or ATR, process, as administered by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, or CIRNAC, in order to assess: (a) the effectiveness and efficiency of ATR application processing; (b) the average processing times at each stage of the process as well as the causes of persistent delays; (c) the transparency, predictability and clarity of the assessment criteria applicable to First Nations; (d) the coordination among CIRNAC, Indigenous Services Canada, provinces, municipalities and affected First Nations; (e) compliance with the commitments outlined in the Policy on Additions to Reserve and Designated Lands; and (f) the outcomes achieved in terms of self-determination, community development and equitable access to public services following the addition of land to a reserve; and that this audit contribute to the responsible, transparent and effective management of public funds consistent with the Government of Canada’s commitments to First Nations and in support of the reconciliation process.
In my opinion, this is a fundamental issue, and the hurdles involved serve no one: neither Canadians, Quebeckers nor first nations. The rules should be clarified.
I'll go back to point (c), the importance of clarifying the rules, which would be a path forward.
As for the other discussion items, first, we should be open to including at least one of the environmental reports. I think they are highly relevant. I'm going to use the somewhat more exhaustive list of reports selected for consideration by the committee.
I would like to indicate the Bloc Québécois's interest in professional services contracts, from the 2024 report 5 of the Auditor General, in industrial and technological benefits, from the 2024 report 10 of the Auditor General, and in the 2024 report 12 on the Canada summer jobs program.
I also agree with the Conservatives' proposal regarding the studies that were submitted last spring by the Auditor General. I think there's something very interesting in those. The issue of professional services is an important one. Obviously, there's also the issue of Indian Act registration. We know there have been huge cost slippages. I find it ironic that Canada will meet its NATO-requested 2% military spending target because of the cost overruns of purchasing those fighter jets. All kidding aside, we have a job to do there. I think that needs to be prioritized. I would also add my riding's priorities. It might be worthwhile to discuss connectivity in the regions.
That's my point of view for now. Later on, I think we'll have to make proposals and everyone will have to make compromises. However, if I had to choose right now, my priority would be the study on the FIFA World Cup.
Thank you.