Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just need to provide a moment of context around that, if you would permit me.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. I'm not sure if I can do that, but I will see.... That's the context I wanted to provide, but if that's.... If you can't do that today, that's fine. I will explain—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I understand it, the AFN will be presenting to you later this week, and they will provide the general context of their support or information around the bill and will be, pursuant to that, providing potential amendments. I was merely providing suggested ways to improve the bill, given that the full content of the bill has been negotiated by a mandate provided by chiefs from across Canada through resolutions from the chiefs in assembly.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, could I respond to the question that the member of Parliament asked me about providing my comments in writing?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. The idea is that a best-efforts clause is not sufficient for Canada to provide funding, and that Canada needs to make a full commitment after it has been part of the funding framework development. Thank you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Hi, everyone. My name is Merrell-Ann Phare, and I'm legal adviser to the Assembly of First Nations on drinking water. I've been working on these issues since the expert panel on safe drinking water in 2006, and I am currently a member of their co-development team. They are presenting separately, so I'm here in my personal capacity.