Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister a question about this bill, which some might see as a declaration of war against first nations.
Earlier on, I made a little pilgrimage to the Senate to hear what National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak had to say. One of the things she mentioned was how important and urgent it is to respect the obligation to conduct advance consultations in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This process was clearly botched. The government did not obtain the free, prior and informed consent of first nations.
Will the minister commit to responding to the national chief's request by extending consultations with indigenous peoples? She is asking that this be done over the summer or in the fall. Will the minister give her a timely answer?