Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Madam Chairperson, this recommendation requests the government to pursue the issue of a legal reference to the Supreme Court of Canada on a matter that has already been decided by a lower court. Frankly, given the complex legal issues involved in putting such a reference before the Supreme Court of Canada, we have only had the opportunity to do a cursory review of the recommendations in the short time available. Our earlier reviews raise more questions than answers. Madam Chairperson, if this motion passes, we will provide a more formal and detailed response to Members of this House after we have the opportunity to do a thorough legal review.
While I have the opportunity, I would note for the record that this government has already invested a great deal of time and financial resources on this matter. In addition to our own costs, we have agreed to contribute funding to both aboriginal intervenors and the Friends of Democracy from both the original hearing and the appeal. We did so in the belief that both sides of this debate deserve a full and fair hearing. Mahsi.