Thank you. I’m here for Senator Audette. The question she wanted me to ask was asked by the deputy chair.

First, I want to thank you for being here and to congratulate your achievement with these negotiations which started in 2009. It is now 2023 and it’s almost done, but Royal Assent is still missing. I want to congratulate you on your hard work and perseverance.

My questions will follow on the questions of Senator Arnot. They are about how you see the relationship between the Indian Act provisions that still remain applicable like section 6(2). As you said, section 6(1) is a problem, so that will have to be fixed by an amendment to the Indian Act. My question was about that. What about the property? I see you have the right to make law about reserve lands, but it remains subject to the Indian Act and the restrictions found in sections 87 and 89 of the Indian Act, unless you exercise some of your authority. Do you think that is going to prevent you from developing a unique model?

You don’t see that as an impediment to you from developing your own concept?