Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to say that I think part of the problem here is that the current members from the government party, except for yourself, Madam Chair, were not here when the committee had an extensive investigation into matrimonial real property rights. We invited in first nations groups and individuals and actually came up with quite a thorough report.
What was very clear from that report, from those consultations, was that first nations women and men were asking that the model not be based on provincial legislation, the provincial model that is currently part of the legislation that we see in front of the House of Commons. By virtue of the fact that we've heard--I know that a number of us have heard--from the AFN, the Chiefs of Ontario, and the Native Women's Association of Canada, we know they are very concerned by what is currently in front of the House. We should be supporting them and respecting what they said in regard to the kind of process they want.
The process that was presented to first nations people was rushed. Unfortunately, Chief Grant-John only had about three months to consult with 643 communities. There is a rhythm to consultations, and if they are to be respectful, they have to take time and they have to be done on the basis of respect for how a community functions.
In that light, I would support the amended motion from Ms. Neville, because I think it does indeed attempt to do precisely what should be done, and that is to meet first nations on their ground in a respectful way.