International Trade committee  As far as I know, no. As an individual I have not, but there may be first nations across Canada that have. I can't speak on their behalf.

International Trade committee  Well, that would be arrived at through consultation with first nations across Canada, but offhand I could say that if there were a clause in there that protected aboriginal rights and treaty rights, that would be quite powerful.

International Trade committee  Well, there are several first nations across Canada that do business with other countries, definitely, and I'm sure they could expand. However, because we weren't consulted during the making of this agreement, it's difficult to say what we could have lent to the content of the agreement that would have assisted us in expanding that.

International Trade committee  Thank you for pointing that out.

International Trade committee  You're right; it's lands and waters. Thank you.

International Trade committee  You know, I haven't studied it in that length to give you an accurate answer. I could get back to you with that answer, if that is okay with you, Mr. Dhaliwal.

International Trade committee  What I would say, and one of our concerns, is that international law trumps domestic law. International law, when it goes to the three-panel secret tribunal, will not recognize indigenous rights and title, our treaty rights. It will not recognize federal, provincial, or municipal regulations.

International Trade committee  I do have a suggestion. First of all, I would like to make note that we do not consider this consultation. The other thing I would like to suggest is that first nations have the right to know what is contained in the TPP. I think Canada will admit itself that we're coming into this deal late.

International Trade committee  That's a good question, and I want to state that we're not against trade. We understand how important it is. I think what we would like to point out is that the ISDS has nothing to do with trade. When I was the portfolio holder for the Canada-China FIPA, what we wanted to include in the body of the agreement was the acknowledgement of the aboriginal entitlement treaty rights.

International Trade committee  Sure. Through the ISDS clause, it grants corporations the right to charge Canada if the first nations disagree with any development of resources on their lands. As an example, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip is on his way to Ottawa as we speak, with a delegation of chiefs, to speak about his concerns regarding PETRONAS and its impact on wild salmon in the Skeena River.

International Trade committee  We have not been consulted.

International Trade committee  No, it is not.

International Trade committee  Good morning. My name is Brenda Sayers, and I am from the Hupacasath first nation on Vancouver Island. I am here with a unique perspective on trade agreements. I was a portfolio holder for my nation on the Canada-China FIPA and spent nearly two years in court with the former Government of Canada in an attempt to have our people heard.