—but I would agree that they all have completed high school as well, which would have been the key marker. But I jest. I appreciate the question, though, of course, with the graduation rates.
I think the primary issue right now is the lack of a sustainable system across the country for first nations education. We have such a disparity in funding in schools, in communities. It shocks me when federal departments try to challenge whether or not their rates are equitable on first nations versus off reserve. Are we talking about the same things? Do we have access to counsellors and things of that nature? There are tremendous funding disparities at its core, estimated at up to $3,000 per student.
I think it's such a structural issue that it's difficult to look past it. It has to be more than just more money. I understand that we need standards and we need measures of accountability, but we can't get beyond the basis that you have to hire teachers, have strong and effective facilities to go to, and actually educate kids through a curriculum. There's no question that this is what needs to take place.
There is a process right now where the federal government is out discussing proposed education legislation. Our hope that it's an open.... You talked about the consultation process that Ms. Nash asked about. It is all about not notifying, and it's also about engaging and working together towards creating a system of education that is appropriate.
I absolutely agree that the education attainment is critical, that high school education is critical. I think we need a collaborative process between our respective governments to help facilitate and make sure we have the best system in place for kids, because ultimately we're all striving for the same thing: a public education system where first nations kids are graduating at the same level.