Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for coming. It's fabulous to have someone come here through video conferencing as well, to provide testimony to this committee.
One of the interesting things mentioned during one of the speeches was that the costs to first nations for economic development are four to six times more than for the non-aboriginal communities, and the challenges they have to face. In recent years several proposed changes have been enacted to the legal, political, and economic context of reserve lands through voluntary or opt-in legislation, such as the First Nations Land Management Act, designed to address the barriers in the Indian Act that impede economic development and investments on reserves.
How have these initiatives influenced the economic initiatives and opportunities for first nations people, collectively and individually? If one of you wants to take a shot at that, go ahead.