Mr. Chair, I take it that not all first nations will be consulted, and that is a shame. This is exactly what we have seen over and over again from the government.
For many years, first nations communities have had a hard time with the application of the CEAA in traditional territories. If the law does not address the issue of aboriginal title, it will create a regulatory vacuum wherein neither the federal government nor the province will have the clear ability to assess environmental impacts. The same reasoning applies to the Keewatin lands in Ontario.
What is the government's position on the issue of federal lands, given that it is extremely likely that aboriginal title will be recognized by a court in the next few years?