I call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 113 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

I want to recognize that we are meeting on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinabe peoples. As always, I want to express my gratitude that we're able to do the important work of this committee on the lands they've stewarded since time immemorial.

There are a couple of changes today. I want to welcome our new clerk, Monsieur Alexandre Roger. I also want to welcome Mr. Caputo, who's going to be joining our committee today as well.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on Wednesday, April 10, the committee is going to continue its study on tax revenues from businesses on first nations territories.

Before we begin, I would like to ask that all members and other in-person participants consult the cards on the table for guidelines on how to prevent audio feedback incidents. Please take note of the following preventative measures in place to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters. Only use a black, approved earpiece. The former grey earpieces must no longer be used. Keep your earpiece away from all microphones at all times. When you're not using your earpiece, place it face down on the sticker placed on the table for this purpose.

Thank you all for your co-operation.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I'm informing the committee that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of the meeting. We may have some technical difficulties, but we will navigate those as we do.

With that, I would like to welcome our witnesses who are here right now.

We have Grand Chief Joel Abram from the the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, who is joining us by video conference. The committee very much appreciates your patience in meeting with us again today, in light of the challenges last week. Thank you very much for that.

We also have Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, the president of the First Nations University of Canada, who is also joining us by video conference.

Just to inform members, Chief Delbert Wapass from the Thunderchild First Nation is unable to attend today. Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik is going to be joining us, but he's unable to join until noon. We will have just one round of questioning with Grand Chief Kyikavichik, starting at noon.

With that, we'll move into opening statements, starting with Grand Chief Joel Abram.

You have five minutes. The floor is yours.

Patrick Weiler

$632,139.00