Thank you both for your comments.
I just wanted to reflect how tragic I think this audit is, because it deals with some of the most vulnerable of our society, not only children, but aboriginal children, and how their needs are not being met.
Despite, as you point out, the $465 million spent, there still seems to be a lack of funding. But fundamentally, what there seems to be a lack of more than anything else are controls and accountability--accountability on how the funds are spent--and we know that.
I'd like to start my questions by asking about the funding formula, which was designated, as we know, in 1988 and really hasn't been modified since. We have no idea if the program funding has been allocated equitably. The formula is based on the potentially out-of-date assumption that 6% of on-reserve children are placed in care, but there could be wide discrepancies today; children in care could range vastly.
My first question is on why the formula hasn't been changed since 1988.
Secondly, why isn't the funding based on estimated needs or actual operating costs?
Why isn't it in line with provincial legislative standards, so we know better what the needs are?
Fourth, is the statistical formula an appropriate method for determining funding levels?
Finally, how does the funding compare with the funding for family service agencies for non-native children?