Health committee  It's much better than it used to be, but it is not full compliance, in our view. That's what we need to work toward before the tribunal will end its jurisdiction in this case. That's something we're hoping will happen soon. We'll be able to get these matters addressed and have a

Health committee  No. That's why we're still in front of the tribunal. Again, I would say there is greater progress, but no, there is not full compliance.

Health committee  I think this is one of the critical areas where there needs to be further work done. That would include, for example, ensuring that the good work done by Dr. Kent Saylor, a Mohawk pediatrician who developed training programs for pediatricians on working with first nations, Métis

Health committee  Yes. Thank you very much, member. The type of story you're telling is something that echoes across the country in terms of the wonderful outcomes that can come from remedying these inequalities and getting services for kids. We know, for example, from the Nobel Prize-winning eco

Health committee  Thank you, and a very good morning, Chair and members. I would like to recognize that this testimony is occurring on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin nation. In 2008 the World Health Organization said inequality is killing on a grand scale. There are all

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that's why the Spirit Bear plan is so essential. One of the things that I think are important to put on the record is that in the 153 years that Canada has been around, there has never been a comprehensive plan to reduce all the inequalities that first nations children, y

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  One of the things we hear about a lot is the commitment to reconciliation. I don't question that. I think that many good people across all political parties and across all walks of life are committed to reconciliation. But, as you say, the whole construct of discrimination, this

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that could actually potentially roll back the clock for first nations children. Thanks to the tribunal and thanks to the work of first nations across this country, we have, just as of 2018, been receiving funding at actuals for prevention. They are not, I should say, prov

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  All right. Again, I can't make that decision as a rights holder.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I know there are first nations who have put their thumbs down, some who have put their thumbs up and some who are saying there need to be major amendments.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  What I am prepared to say is that for those amendments we put in there regarding funding, the clarification around the socio-economic conditions so that can be real and the recommendations around changing of jurisdictions, we see those as fundamental for the success of this bill.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I've already gone on the record and have said that I absolutely support the aim of this bill—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  —but I feel that the text is deficient.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We have proposed a blackline version, which I believe members have a copy of, where we have suggested some enhanced wording for the bill. That was something I had referred to you for our suggestions about how to improve it in that regard. The other important piece I would just c

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can only share what my experience has been. I have seen some of the engagement sessions. In every engagement session I've been at, I have heard first nations leadership call for funding for this bill. It's still not in the language of the bill. Although it's good that governme