Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think one of the things we're trying to emphasize by having the communities involved, particularly in designing the appropriate transition and providing more input into the design of the program, is that it will ensure that the maximum benefits are achieved, whether by looking for new shipping mechanisms or at ways of ensuring that the program is having an impact through the price reductions.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In terms of whether airlines or...?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would say in general that airlines are the best mechanism, but at times the northern roads and ice roads are mechanisms that are in place for parts of the year, which can be also useful for northern communities. But those northern roads are actually diminishing in terms of the amount of time they can be used for on-ground transportation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Today I'd like to focus on the need for involvement and full participation of first nations in the development and implementation of the Nutrition North program, which was announced in May of this year. This includes having the proper mechanisms and tools to ensure that the proper execution of the program is done, and it also includes accountability and transparency.

Finance committee  Thank you. That is a good question. I would say that that rate of growth, unlike other portions of the population, is much in excess of the normal growth rate. We are seeing growth rates of at least 3% to 4% over the Canadian rate. Also, what's happening in particular provinces, most notably Saskatchewan and Manitoba, is that the percentage of population that is aboriginal is actually shifting higher and higher.

Finance committee  That has been a priority for both the national chief and the existing minister. Certainly, what we've heard from the Prime Minister is that this is a priority. What we're looking for is how do we action that. This would be something that could be benefited by a multi-party approach.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our submission is called “Transforming the Relationship—Sustainable Fiscal Transfers for First Nations”. First nations citizens have not enjoyed the same level of service as is provided to Canadians by municipal, provincial, and federal governments. The machinery of fiscal governance, therefore, needs to be transformed in order to be reflective of the core Canadian values of equity and opportunity.

Public Safety committee  I just want to comment on the health cuts. As I stated in my comments, we were showing progress. To say that cutting funds is somehow a good measure, I think, is just counterintuitive. I would think that there should be a requirement for even more investment, if it's so clearly an issue.

Public Safety committee  Part of what the Assembly of First Nations is trying to say about this is that simply focusing on the enforcement element itself is misguided. There needs to be consideration of economic development and economic replacement strategies, and investment in reduction strategies and programming to reduce smoking.

Public Safety committee  Thank you. I am Richard Jock, the chief executive officer of the Assembly of First Nations. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to present to you today. I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues on the panel. My presentation will really be focused on two solutions or ideas in terms of dealing with the tobacco issue: first, the creation of viable economic alternatives; and second, supporting a continuum of approaches in order to cut demand for tobacco in first nations communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just want to add that regardless of the final shape of the bill, the operational considerations would remain. We feel that undertaking a review of any preparations would be prudent and would be really just good sense, in terms of then assessing whether there have in fact been preparations made, whether the resource issues have been properly rolled out as anticipated.

Finance committee  I think it would have dealt with the issue of hope, which is one of the fundamental elements that is needed at this time.

Finance committee  I think that's an excellent example of where government investment can be replicated and multiplied in terms of impact. I would invite you to talk with John Paul of the Atlantic Policy Forum, because they generated a study that looked at the sustainable jobs that came out of the investment in Marshall.

Finance committee  There are two aspects to this. One is that part of it responds to the point made about the situation of Canada as a baby boomer country. I think first nations represent an important element of the future. The education system, with its need for investment, I would say, would be a critical investment.

Finance committee  Thank you. That's an excellent question. There are two aspects to the education element. One is that there are marginal increases that go to education. As I indicated, there's a 2% cap on funding in general. What happens, and I'll use Alberta as a particular example, is that when the CHST and other transfers are increased and the province as well is able to invest more in education, the average cost of education increases.