When aboriginal groups are at the table for the discussions where the decision is being made, and the experts are at the table together, it's a sharing of equals. I think there's much better input then than when the experts just send down a pro forma request saying that they're doing this and they want our reaction. I think that might be one of the deficiencies of the previous Navigable Waters Protection Act. There were so many approvals that had to happen, and communities and aboriginal groups were being asked for reactions to so many permit processes.
How can that be fixed? I think the main way to fix it would be for local communities and aboriginal groups to be involved earlier on in the process, in the planning process, so that the input can be given before the permit goes out. The input can be given when you're discussing how to build the road, whether that's a good place to build the road, and whether the road is needed.