Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Normally the products, if I remember correctly, would be taxed off reserve. I'm not sure we are taxing on-reserve products per se, those that are sold on reserve. We can follow up and try to give you the information, but it's not information that I have at the moment. I doubt that the CFO would have that information.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would never say that a chief is wrong.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Let me come back to you on this, because a lot of them have expressed interest, but that doesn't mean they formally sent us a demand. We have received some over the last few weeks, so I want to make sure that we have the more accurate numbers. I would prefer to make sure we have all of them and give you a sense of the ones that have expressed interest, that want to engage with us.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll defer to Ms. Gideon for the answer. I don't know if she knows the exact answer for your riding specifically, but she can give you more details on the efforts that have been made to increase capacity in professional services.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Regarding the organizations submitting more requests, we're still reviewing those requests. Some, if not all, of them are eligible for other federal programs. For instance, there are programs designed to help women who are being abused, by providing funding to shelters. Those programs can also serve indigenous people living off reserve.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a very good question. I can try to answer. It is an issue that we're seeing on a daily basis. Those chiefs have the right and the authority to pass bylaws to protect their populations. They're the ones who make decisions. For example, in the case of emergencies in general, they decide if and when evacuation is needed and so on.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, it is a constant discussion, of course. It's not our purpose or practice to change the needs for those evacuations. When those evacuations are needed, they will happen. We're working with provinces, as we always have—for example, with the Province of Ontario—through emergency departments, and we are trying to make sure that we have the partners we need for the evacuations and that we also have extra measures that are put in place if an evacuation is needed to ensure the safety of the population.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Since the beginning of the crisis, the minister as well as the employees of the departments have recognized this issue. We know that the social determinants of health are particularly alarming in first nations, Inuit and Métis communities. We know that a pandemic may have and could have an impact that is quite significant in those communities, because they are a vulnerable population.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  You are right. This crisis has shown us that the long-term social determinants of health that are due to historical reasons and that need to be addressed have to be addressed. It confirms that the investments made over the last few years are important and should continue in terms of addressing housing, addressing water issues and addressing all those elements that are related to the social determinants of health.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  If you don't mind, I'll ask Dr. Wong to answer this question, since this is an issue he's monitoring on a daily basis.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I can start. I think you have to take into account, first of all, that the $84 billion, or whatever the amount of money is now that is supporting Canadians, is for all Canadians, including first nations, Inuit and Métis. Everybody has access to the individual benefits and should have access to them, and we should encourage first nations, Inuit and Métis to make sure they access these benefits.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Daniel. Mr. Chair, this is a very important question. I don't think there's an easy answer. I think Daniel touched on a long-term solution to this issue, but in the meantime, what I can tell you is that with COVID as a crisis.... As you know, we spend probably around $425 million per year in services related to mental health.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, since the minister isn't here, I'll try to answer that question, if I may. Yes, financial support to help communities is important. As for the amount that's needed, I'm sorry, but it would be presumptuous to give you a number today. These times and circumstances are without precedent, and we're trying to meet the demand.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We work with Inuit on the Inuit strategy, and there's funding attached to it. I don't have the details here, but I can send them. This was referred to just because it was a recent announcement that we made.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. We have made a lot of investments to improve the situation. In some cases, like this one, it is a matter of radon contamination. Radon is a gas found naturally in the soil. It is not really something that comes from pollution. So we have to find alternative solutions. Contamination cannot always be eliminated.