Mr. Chair, in your opening remarks, Minister, you spoke about principles being connected with interest. I am wondering if you could comment.
Canada was only one of four countries to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The minister knows that his government's opposition to the declaration came in spite of recommendations to support it from three departments: the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Department of National Defence, and your own department.
I wonder if you could tell me how you justify the government's opposition to the declaration.