"Following the release of the Auditor General’s special assignment report, our Government committed to acting swiftly to respond to the report and its recommendations. Our Government had previously taken steps on transparency and remains committed to action on this file.

In her report, the Auditor General acknowledges her inability to access the McInnes Cooper legal file on this initiative as the firm has put forward lawyer/client privilege.

In the interest of public confidence, today I sent a letter to Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis and Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan proposing that the Mi'kmaq Confederacy (MCPEI) consider waiving client privilege and thereby allow the Auditor General access to the relevant information, subject to any non-disclosure that may apply. I thank the Chiefs for considering this request as we continue to work together to provide Islanders with good Government."