Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The only thing I would like to add, because we quoted the Auditor General, is that we could have put so many quotes from the Auditor General into the presentation, even the ones referring to the types of agreements signed between the government and our communities. Many of these agreements are failing to meet the reality of our communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The question could probably be best answered by Chief Polson, because he is involved in signing those agreements himself.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I have a very brief comment, and I'll be very blunt. I think the intent is very clear here. It's to get the Indians out of the reserve and under the provincial system, in housing as well as in education. That's why the B.C. model is cited as a model across the nation. I think sometimes we tend to be too quick at painting everybody with the same brush.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, for sure. Certainly I'm interested in the human resources aspects. I just wanted to also respond to the question, because in year one, in 1995, when we signed the first agreement in human resources, we were already saying that there's a very important gap between what Quebec gets and what first nations get for the same area of activity.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, to me the answer is certainly obvious, and it's probably a question that could be best answered by not only this committee but by parliamentarians in general. Part of the answer lies in the statement by the Auditor General in 2000, which essentially says that the cost of doing nothing is more important.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1992-1996.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would just like to add one thing to complete that answer, but I am hesitant to do so because some people might think we are still doing all right, in spite of our dissatisfaction. Last Saturday, I attended a graduation ceremony for 49 people trained to provide family and paraprofessional support services.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much. I will be completing the presentation. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen members of the Standing Committee, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to appear before you today. Indeed, we have appeared before the Committee on a number of occasions in the past.