I am very familiar with the Mining Association of Canada as my colleague hails from the riding of Abitibi—James Bay—Nunavik—Eeyou and I am from Abitibi—Témiscamingue which is home to a great many mining and aboriginal communities.
The Mining Association of Canada is a national organization involved in exploration. I am especially interested in exploration. In order for a mine to be developed and exploited, exploration activities must first take place.
I do not wish to get into the legal details of consultations within the meaning of the Supreme Court. However, if a prospector engages in exploration on land which is being claimed by or which is the focus of talks with aboriginals, is the community consulted before entry into their territory to determine if any ore is present?