Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  This date was added in 2010 by the Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act, which is an amendment of section six of the Indian Act. That bill was passed in response to the McIvor decision, which found that the provisions at the time of the Indian Act were contrary to section 15 insofar as it treated differently the male and female lines with respect in particular to individuals affected by the double mother rule.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  To answer your question, the minister was very clear that ultimately her will would be to put Nathalie, our registrar, out of a job, and to allow first nations to determine who they are, which is why the government has determined that a two-stage response would be appropriate for the additional decision, first to deal with what's an issue and known at the moment and then to turn to a broader discussion on how to profoundly reform the registration provisions and ultimately to find ways to get rid of a registrar.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I was not before you at that time, so I will ask my colleague.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Actually, as we indicated, it's what the court has decided, plus what is clear. In the situation of the unstated paternity, at the time of the introduction of Bill S-3, we had a court decision telling us that it was not contrary to the charter. We could not consider this an inequity or a breach of the charter.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We actually included in Bill S-3 an amendment to address the unstated paternity issue.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  First, the government has to be responsible fiscally—that's a given. At the same time, we have heard first nations people say they are concerned about a large influx of people into their communities, not only because of the erosion of their culture and language, etc., but also because of their inability to act in certain situations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. Actually, the nation-to-nation relationship that the government is committed to re-establishing is the basis for stage two. This is why the government does not want to unilaterally impose broad amendments to the Indian Act in stage one, but rather to have a consultative process with the nations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The initial step is to co-design the process of consultation. We will hear from the first nations how they want to organize themselves to dialogue with the government, and that's their opportunity to shape the nation-to-nation relationship.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would say that Bill S-3, without 8.1 and 8.2, would address known sex-based inequities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That was afterwards, yes. I'm talking about Bill S-3 as it stands.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. We have yet to see the options that will be developed by first nations, by indigenous peoples, and by impacted individuals, so I cannot prejudge what will happen after the process. I doubt very much that we will hear a desire to maintain the status quo. It's highly likely that the government will hear about options for reform and will look into them and come back with reports to committees first.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The next step is to start registration and launch stage two.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Bill S-3 does not address all issues relating to the identity of indigenous people; that's for sure. This is why the government proposes a second stage to talk about the identity of indigenous people more generally. Bill S-3 addresses the sex-based inequities that we know about at this time.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. That's a legitimate concern, of course. The 18 months that has been put forward is a firm commitment to addressing these issues quickly but with significant consultation. As I indicated before, the first step is to co-design the consultative process with first nations and indigenous groups, and in fact co-design how we will consult.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I apologize, but I'm not sure I followed the question.