Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for attending the meeting today.
First of all, I'm first nations and 62% of my riding is first nations. Earlier this summer I took a tour through my riding and went to the most northern part, to the community of Fond Du Lac. That community is a fly-in and is remote. They are part of the Athabasca health region. One of the questions that came forward was preparedness. Are they prepared? The answer, I was told, is yes. This is a first nations reserve, and they showed me their stockhouse of supplies for a second-wave pandemic, if it should occur.
One of the things I hear about here today is first nations and aboriginals, but I think we also have to look at the big picture. We are all Canadians. There are no ethnic lines here. We are here as the health committee for Canadians and to address these issues. It gets me a little bit upset, because my wife is non-aboriginal and we have a blended family. We look at ourselves as Canadians.
The question I have is this. For the 62% of my riding who are aboriginal, is there an adequate supply of antiviral drugs available for first nations? Can you give this committee your assurance that there is or will soon be an adequate supply?
Second, will first nations be part of a national pandemic plan that includes a strategy for reaching remote communities and will include an extensive public education program?
Thank you.