That's such an important piece of this story. It's the growth of not only indigenous business but Canada's GDP through economic activity.
We've often talked about the cost of keeping people out. In fact, there's a lot of study around the continued exclusion. It's estimated that keeping people out of the economy costs Canada's economy $27.7 billion each year. That, to me, is just a dollars and cents reason, never mind any other reason for supporting indigenous economic success.
I note you're from the east coast. There are a lot of very successful businesses on the east coast that are run by indigenous peoples. I imagine you see that impact in your own community.
I'm from northern Ontario. The CEDC in northern Ontario has partnered with a number of different first nations organizations to conduct a study of the economic impact benefit of indigenous businesses in northern Ontario. There are older studies that estimate huge amounts of revenue for non-indigenous communities that have a high degree of indigenous economic activity.
Exclusion is really expensive. The fiscally smart thing to do is make sure that people have this opportunity.
The last thing I'll say is that it's exciting when I visit first nations that have corporations that are benefiting their communities. Many first nations, for example, are now holding their own contracting and construction companies.