Human Resources committee  Perhaps I can highlight a few things. First, I'd like to highlight that Bill C-35 does include a strong commitment in paragraph 5(f) to contribute to the implementation of UNDRIP. I'd also like to underscore that the indigenous-specific references in the bill are grounded in work that was codeveloped with indigenous peoples, including the codeveloped indigenous early learning and child care framework.

Human Resources committee  We were very interested in hearing from indigenous governments, organizations and representatives on Bill C-35. Formal outreach was undertaken to over 50 governments, organizations and stakeholders early last year. There was promotion through some of the existing partnerships to solicit feedback and interest around the proposed legislation.

Human Resources committee  The proposed legislation will contribute to Canada's implementation of UNDRIP, including the UNDRIP commitment to free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples on laws, policies or programs that affect their territories. The Department of Justice currently has a co-development process under way with indigenous governments to give a practical application and an action plan to what free, prior and informed consent will look like for the federal government.

Human Resources committee  There's work outside the legislation to look at indigenous data in this phase. As you can imagine, the collection of data relating to indigenous children and families is sensitive and requires great care and collaboration. It's for that reason that we have a public commitment to co-develop a first nation, Inuit, and Métis early learning and child care results framework to inform our work in this phase to assess progress and gaps going forward.

Human Resources committee  The Canada-wide approach includes an indigenous-specific strategy that complements the Canada-wide agreements in place. The goal is not to create separate systems but rather to enable indigenous-led strategies within comprehensive and coordinated systems that meet the needs of indigenous children and families wherever they live.