Thank you very much for taking the time to come to the committee today to inform us of some of the issues taking place under Health Canada.
When we take a look at the area of health care, we realize that it's one of the top priorities for Canadians across this country, especially in the first nations community. You mentioned that you have seven first nation communities within your constituency, so I'm sure this question is going to be of great concern to those individuals along with those from other first nations communities across the country.
The Assembly of First Nations has identified a gap of $2.85 billion in health spending over a period of five years. They have noticed that the $700 million commitment that was achieved at the first ministers meeting in September 2004, along with an $870 million commitment from the Kelowna accord, would help to reduce that gap.
Could you please provide this committee with information on the status of that $700 million? And in light of the fact that the new government has not honoured the Kelowna accord, how will the funding be received by the first nations people?