My good friend, Carolyn Bennett, often says that Canadians expect European-style social programs on American-style taxation. I think that is one of the things this poverty study has to address.
Food Banks Canada released its annual report, which showed that in Canada, food bank usage went up 18%. They also indicated that they are now identifying who is coming to food banks. I have a quote. It says: “Aboriginal people constitute a slightly larger proportion of food bank clients, making up more than 11% of those assisted in 2008 and 2009... Provincial figures vary considerably, with Aboriginal people”--first nations, Métis, and Inuit people--“accounting for 91% of food bank clients in the territories”.
We are not meeting with anybody. Is there a food bank here in Yellowknife, and would 90% of the recipients be aboriginal people? Perhaps, Kate, you could talk about what percentage of the people you deal with who are in crisis are aboriginal.