Meegwetch.
We are concerned specifically with the provisions in proposed sections 19 to 21, which are the so-called Henry VIII clauses—the overriding ability of cabinet to have the discretion to override legislation important to first nations, specifically the Indian Act.
We've not been advised what the intention was for the ability to override the Indian Act. We weren't consulted on why that was included in schedule 2. We're left to only speculate on what the intentions are of the government with respect to the Indian Act. The Indian Act governs a lot of administrative issues with First Nations, but it also deals with land and reserve lands. We very much want to know what the legislative intention is behind that.