Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe Mr. Braden is referring to a lot of the issues that have been raised by the North Slave Metis. They've been raising those concerns for a number of years and have also been lobbying the federal government to establish a process for them to be able to negotiate their particular interest. We have worked with them. We have helped to facilitate meetings between the Metis and the federal government, but until the federal government recognizes or agrees to a negotiation process for the North Slave Metis, then there really isn't a lot that our government can do to answer the questions or deal with the interest that they have expressed.
In the meantime, while they have been doing that, the Tlicho and the Government of Canada have proceeded with the negotiations of the Tlicho agreement. That agreement was signed almost a year ago and that is now in effect. So the legislation we have before us today follows up on that legislation and we are bound as one of the signatories and certainly bound because of the Tlicho agreement to comply with the terms that have been laid out in the Tlicho agreement.
I realize having said that, Madam Chair, that the North Slave Metis are not happy with that situation, but there is not much that our government can do other than encourage them to continue to try to convince the federal government to set up a process. Unless we have that, we really can't do anything. Thank you.