Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Even though it appears that there is no harm done in regards to not being party to the accord, I believe at the same time the Minister, and the government, is sending out a fairly critical signal in respect to lack of commitment, as a government, to address Metis concerns. That was one of the main reasons for myself pushing forth in this House, commission for constitutional development paper, in regards to "Working Towards a Common Future", because of the fact that there are some significant recommendations in there that are somewhat similar to the overall Charlottetown Accord. In order to do one, one has to know what they think of in order to progress.
The Minister indicated, that because of the Dene Nation, and because of his political assessment, he felt there would be dissention in the valley. He also, at the same time, made cause for further dissention, and concern, among the Metis people for the fact that there may not be the commitment by the government that there should be, whether, or not, it is still possible to become a party to the Metis Accord.