Mr. Speaker, the government remains committed to ensuring that First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities directly benefit from major resource projects. With regard to the Mutual Benefit Agreements (MBA) between Trans Mountain and the relevant First Nations, the response is as follows:
With respect to part (a) of the question, the legal obligation in the MBAs is between the signatories, which are Trans Mountain and the relevant First Nation. Trans Mountain is a separate legal entity from the Government of Canada and is governed by an independent board of directors.
With respect to part (b) of the question, as is customary for agreements of this type, both Trans Mountain and the relevant First Nation contractually committed to the commercial obligations, including when and how funding is provided under the terms of the agreement. The commercial obligations are subject to confidentiality as per the terms of the agreement.
With respect to part (c) of the question, the response is the same as the one for part (b).
With respect to part (d) of the question, the response is the same as the one for part (b).