Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I didn't get my translation. I sorted it out in my mind, so I don't know what the real question was. Yes, I was in Winnipeg at the economic forum, for whatever that's worth at this point.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It has to be optional.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the committee. I think this is an important study, and I'm pleased the committee is undertaking its work. I'll start by asking a fundamental and foundational question: Does Canada accept that the Indian Act bands are governments within the federation of Canada?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. I'll start again. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the committee today. This is a critical study, and I am pleased that the committee is undertaking this work. I will start by asking a foundational question: Does Canada accept that Indian Act bands are governments within the federation of Canada?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the opportunity to speak with the committee today—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would like to start by thanking you for this opportunity to speak today. This is a critical study, and I'm pleased that the committee is undertaking the work. I'd like to start by asking a foundational question: Do you accept that Indian Act bands are governments within the federation of Canada?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Circumstances change over time, and these all need to be living documents, in my view. It starts with the recognition of the right to title, and it starts with the recognition of self-government and that we're a long way from being able to say that Canada has fully implemented the right of self-government under section 35.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  To be quite frank, I'm not sure that it does. They can pass bylaws, but you get concurrent taxation in that case. That really defeats the purpose of it. I think that, as we look at modern-day self-governments, we have to realize that a government, by its very nature, is usually something that has defined boundaries and the powers to exercise fiscal measures within that defined boundary.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We exercise property taxation on reserve, but we don't tax our members' housing. We tax the indigenous interest on reserve land. I wouldn't call it a moratorium. I would call it the exercise of fiscal powers, much like the provincial and federal governments offer many different incentives through their property taxation system to encourage certain types of activities that they would like to pursue.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. I am happy to speak to some of it. First of all, I will say that we've hired international experts who have worked on the creation of indigenous development banks all around the world to help us craft this report. The intention is to identify the viability of such an enterprise in Canada and what its purposes might be.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  One of the benefits that the nation has is that it does have its own governance structure around these matters, and has had for years. Many may be familiar with the Park Royal shopping centre, which has been on Squamish Nation land since the 1960s. We have a familiarity, and a concept, and a process for regulatory development.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much. Thank you for raising Sen̓áḵw, the Kitsilano lands. These were lands that were taken from us that were subject to a specific claims lawsuit as part of the CP Rail right-of-way that we eventually got back because of the Supreme Court of Canada Osoyoos decision on the residual interest.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. Getting land and examining what the economic opportunities are on that land, I think, is an important consideration in looking at restitution. Getting land back that carries with it responsibilities but no economic opportunity can be a challenge to first nations communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much for inviting me to participate today. The restitution of land is a significant and necessary part of reconciliation. This is a pathway toward inclusion for indigenous people and away from a potential outcome of extinguishment. Indigenous people have a strong connection to the land.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for having me here today. The restitution of land is a deeply important part of reconciliation. A strong connection to our land is part of the values that define who we are as indigenous peoples in Canada. According to a study released two months ago by the Environics Institute, 81% of Canadians see inadequate indigenous control over their lands and resources as a barrier to reconciliation.