Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We're certainly glad to see some funding for first nations education. We want to be clear that this funding in no way addresses the gap that exists between education for first nations and other non-first nations students.
The funding that's being offered here excludes Métis and non-status first nations, ignoring their needs with respect to post-secondary education. Métis and non-status students already receive no federal funding for post-secondary education. The government, as a constitutional duty towards all aboriginal people, should be providing this funding.
Our motion is to include Métis and non-status first nations back into this proposal.