Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I should let the Minister know, that as of last week, I did get a letter from Indian Affairs stating that I am an Indian. So, I have equal rights as the Minister now. He does not have to view the point that I have made gains, but that does not preclude me from forgetting about what the Metis are trying to achieve.
I want to ask the Minister, the not withstanding clause to the accord can override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and basically it can override the gender equality rights, that are in the Charter, under section 28. In regards to this, it has been extended to new aboriginal governments, and gender equality issues, which will not be on the agenda before, I believe 1996, if I recall the date correctly. I would like to ask the Minister since the not withstanding clause will be virtually impossible to repeal, and since we are talking about the accord, and without a legal text being available, what assurance can he give to any aboriginal women in future, in the event that they find themselves in conflict with their bands? They have the concerns in regard to their local band councils, taking into consideration the not withstanding clause to override the gender equality rights in the Charter. Thank you.