That was the last study attempted to be done. Canada was seeking a way to justify, I guess, its process to come to a conclusion on why settlements should take place. Of course, it was leading to a financial settlement. A trust was actually created for the first nations, because most veterans had already passed on. That money went into a trust. Canada was going to look at trying to find a way to justify the purpose or why a settlement of this nature would take place. They would probably take it to Treasury Board or take it to cabinet. The study was to show exactly what had happened to first nations, that there was systemic discrimination without hesitation.
That's why I said I found it remarkable that.... I was sitting in that room. The deputy would not even leave when the minister asked the deputy to leave. I've never seen this, and I've been in politics for 22 years. When the minister asked the deputy to leave—I think she wanted to talk to the veterans and me in private—he would not get off his chair. I'm telling you that I'm not making this up. I was shocked. I was staring. I couldn't believe it. Only until she raised her voice at a very high tone did he finally get off his chair. He wanted to continue to stay in there, because he felt, I guess....
I don't know. I still don't know why he had such adamant opposition to this. I don't understand and never will. Why was he...? I don't know. He didn't do that for first nations. In fact, with the first nations study they were very open to allowing the consultant to go in and randomly select different files so they could do a random sample to come to a conclusion, using some kind of science formula. For some reason, he wouldn't allow that for us. His argument, his position was that all the Métis got what they deserved. They got the stuff they were promised. That was his position and it stayed that way.
We can't even ask him now, because he is no longer in this world.