Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can speak to that, Mr. Chair, because I manage the engagement process with first nations and aboriginal organizations. As the minister indicated, we travelled across the country and spoke to a number of folks, and I can say there were really no comments relating to the substan

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The process was announced at the end of last August, and we basically went from September through to November 13. First of all, we provided technical briefings to senior officials of national aboriginal organizations, and then we did three meetings in partnership with those natio

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  If the court decision comes into force on April 6, there will be an inability to register people affiliated with first nations in British Columbia. Over the last couple of years, there have been about 2,500 to 3,000 people from B.C. registered per annum. That gives you some ide

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In terms of the strategy, again, I would suggest looking at the website. There's a lot of information on the website.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, in terms of the band members, the benefits would be the same whether it's a situation where the department controls the membership or where the first nation controls the membership. Benefits of band membership include such things as housing, the right to live on the re

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I suppose the real benefit for bands is that they're able to determine who has those rights within their communities. Who has the right to reserve in the community. Who has the right to participate in votes and other community business? It allows for that sort of self-determinati

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  If a band controls its own membership lists, it would have in place its own code or rules, and the determination is based on those rules. As the minister mentioned, the department has no involvement in the administration of those rules. It's up to the first nation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I guess they would have to engage with the first nation, with the band. The department wouldn't be involved in that. What will happen is that people who are newly entitled as a result of this amendment will be newly entitled to Indian status, and in situations where the departmen

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The demographic study is available on the departmental website. We could certainly get copies to you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I mentioned, a strategy is under development to address the influx of applications. It's going to involve the creation of a new team of people--I don't know if the exact number has been determined--who will focus specifically on the applications of people who will be newly ent

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't know the answer to that today. That's something I can certainly take back to our communications people.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I should say as well that part of our engagement on that would be with the Indian registration administrators who work in the communities. They would be targeted with information. They would have information that they presumably would be able to provide to the people in the commu

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It may very well have to, at this point.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't know exactly where those resources will be coming from.