Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Again, I think the key thing with the UN declaration is that it is an aspirational document that describes the rights of indigenous peoples, and it describes various means that need to be undertaken in order to achieve implementation. That is a process. It does take time, and as

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would say that I don't think we're in a position to speak to the decisions that would have been made in getting to that in those particular bills. I do want to reiterate that the UN declaration implementation is a process that engages many parties, obviously including indigen

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I guess what I would say is that the bill establishes some accountability mechanisms in the form of the requirement of an action plan and report. I would just say that's the facts of the bill, and I would leave it at that. It does establish an accountability framework for the ach

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't think I'm in a position to say how important it is. I would just say that the government has clearly made a commitment that it's going to implement the UN declaration. There are many measures to be taken down that path. A legislative approach like this is one measure amon

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would suggest that it's a measure, a possible measure. I wouldn't make any judgment as to whether it's necessary or the most important, or any of those things. I would just say that it's a possible measure.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Bill C-262 reinforces the government's commitment to implement the UN declaration.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The UN declaration is the declaration of the United Nations, and its role in Canadian law is to serve as an interpretive tool that courts can use in interpreting legislation and in interpreting Canadian law. Bill C-262, in section 3, refers to the application of the UN declarati

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The best way to tackle that question, to clarify things, I think, is just to back up a little bit and speak a little bit about the duty to consult, and section 35. I'll definitely get to your question more specifically. But just—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As you know, we have a lot of direction from the Supreme Court of Canada on duty to consult, how it applies, and when it applies. There is a case now in front of the Supreme Court, called the Mikisew Cree case, which does get at the issue of duty to consult in the context of the

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The only thing maybe that I could add to that is the FPT meeting that Ana referred to would have included all of the ministers from each of the provinces, including Quebec, so they were part of that discussion.