Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Policies and operational practices give effect to the relationship, and the roles and responsibilities around fisheries and oceans management decision-making processes. We are conducting an analysis within all sectors of the department in existing relationships and how they can be strengthened within each of those areas, including small craft harbours and science enforcement.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would also like to acknowledge our presence on the unceded territory of the Algonquin peoples. I would like to thank the chair, vice-chairs, and committee members for the invitation to speak to you today to support your study of Bill C-262 and for the opportunity to elaborate on the suite of programs, policies, and legislative initiatives under the purview of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard that have made and will continue to make advances toward reconciliation with the indigenous peoples of Canada.

Fisheries committee  I think in terms of specificity, Andy can speak to it. For indigenous groups, the protection of existing resources is often paramount, in terms of protecting the sustainability of resources and access to them. Looking at it in terms of the objectives of those specific MPAs, and then in terms of their ability to access resources within those, are factors to consider.

Fisheries committee  Our funding applies generally where we manage the fisheries, so on both coasts that funding is available, and then in the north—

Fisheries committee  Yes, it's— Go ahead, Andy.

Fisheries committee  Beyond indigenous, I don't know of any.

Fisheries committee  In general, in terms of UNDRIP and the numerous recommendations in that, I think that's front and centre in informing the federal government. The 10 principles that were released by the Minister of Justice recently, guiding and informing the federal government in terms of its interactions with indigenous groups, put significant priority on engagement and consultation, and beyond that, working with groups more collaboratively in the decision-making processes, seeking their input into the establishment and the rules around MPAs.

Fisheries committee  There is funding. We have a program called the aboriginal aquatic resources and oceans management program—it's very long and very bureaucratic—which provides funding for indigenous groups at aggregate levels to come together either along watersheds or coastal areas. That funding provides dedicated capacity for indigenous groups to obtain scientific, technical, fisheries management, oceans management types of expertise.

Fisheries committee  I would add from the indigenous perspective, in terms of accommodating and addressing aboriginal and treaty rights, that we need to look at the establishment of MPAs through that lens as well. The duty to consult, the duty to work with indigenous groups also factors into the decision-making process in terms of the establishment of the objectives and the management activities within those areas.

Fisheries committee  Director general of indigenous affairs and reconciliation.