Environment committee  Thank you so much. I want to introduce Sara Mainville and Graeme Reed with the Assembly of First Nations. I apologize. I should have introduced them earlier. I'd like to ask them to provide a response from the Assembly of First Nations.

Environment committee  Yes, I am.

Environment committee  I'd like to turn it over to leadership first to respond, and then if there is time, I'll respond at the end. Thank you.

Environment committee  In addition, it also needs to go beyond section 35. Of course, section 35 needs to be included. We look to international law. We look to UNDRIP. We cannot merely consider just the adverse impacts on section 35 rights. It's incredibly important that this piece of legislation also

Environment committee  Thank you. In terms of how the federal government should go about obtaining free, prior, and informed consent, there isn't a one-size-fits-all. There needs to be dialogue among governments and indigenous peoples to establish how free, prior, and informed consent will be obtaine

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  The inclusion and direct reference to impacts on section 35 rights is an important step. However, the overreliance on discretionary clauses such as “taking into account” or “consider any adverse effects” does not fully protect section 35 rights under the Constitution. None of the

Environment committee  Thank you, Chair. I only need about 30 more seconds, and given the fact that I've been disconnected a number of times, I'd really like to be able to finish.

Environment committee  Thank you. Ultimately, the objectives of reconciliation cannot be achieved if the final decision to approve a project can be made unilaterally by one party without confirmation from an affected first nation that its views and concerns have been addressed. First nations' inherent

Environment committee  —including the ability to make final decisions at all stages of impact assessment in accordance with their own laws and customs. The impact assessment act and the Canadian energy regulator act must strengthen provisions to enable shared procedural decision-making points through

Environment committee  Can you hear me now?

Environment committee  Thank you. What does this mean in the context of this act? It means that we need a better process, one that is designed with first nations and one that involves us from the very start. We already have many examples of practical, co-operative jurisdictions being effectively and

Environment committee  Good morning. [Witness speaks in Tlingit and Southern Tutchone] My name is Kluane Adamek, and I am from Kluane First Nation in Yukon Territory. I am the Interim Yukon Regional Chief. I introduced myself in Tlingit and Southern Tutchone. I come from the Dakhl’aweidí killer whale