Thank you, Chair.

[Member spoke in Cree and provided the following text:]

Kitamskahtinawaw Niwahkamahkanak.

[English]

Greetings to all my relations and to all the witnesses that came here today. It's nice to see witnesses from different backgrounds, whether they be in cancer, environmental protection, Métis or first nations leadership. Thank you for being here.

Grand Chief Mercredi, you mentioned first nations entered into treaties for peace and friendship. Ultimately, that would be peace and friendship across economic aspects, across social aspects and across living in harmony as human beings aspects.

You also mentioned FPIC. We heard in the throne speech a specific reference to free, prior and informed consent, but you mentioned that in this legislation there is no specific mention of that. I get concerned sometimes when things are said by the government and then walked back.

Again, we've also heard from third party organizations, a quote being something similar to the speed of trust when working with first nations. Throughout the last couple of weeks since Bill C-5 was introduced, I've heard nothing but first nations raising the concern about the speed and that there is no trust in this process. You've referenced that also.

Could you elaborate even more on whether this process undertaken by the current government is continuing to erode trust? Do you feel as though FPIC has been flaunted out there as just words or is it being uplifted as some aspects of the government have claimed in the recent past?

Billy Morin

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