Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I've been asked to address that question. I think if this bill passes, what it does is it creates a new conversation around that. Instead of trying to fit first nations into a system that's been in place since 1897, after 22,000 licences have already been issued in southern Alberta, it takes them out of it.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No. That's not been the case. In fact, the massive irrigation expansion in southern Alberta, which is significantly funded by the federal government, has included no consultation. The Blackfoot nations made a request for federal engagement on that, including a federal environmental assessment of each of those reservoirs.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We requested a federal environmental review and it was declined. That's the Snake—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can do that. It's critical that the committee take a look at attaching that to the bill in some fashion. I'll just close by restressing the need to seriously consider the amendment that's been proposed to recognize that first nations have a right to safe drinking water. If one amendment makes it into the bill from this committee, that's the one that needs to happen.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I start by thanking the committee for making time and paying attention to our submissions on Bill C-61. I'm here as a legal counsel to the Blackfoot nations so, of course, I have to speak in support of the amendments they're seeking, but before I get into those points I'd like to speak from a personal perspective.