Thank you for an excellent question. This is an important one. In fact, I think there is much good news in budget 2017 as it relates to this matter.
As you indicated, there are a variety of reasons why this needs to be a priority for our government. One that you pointed to is the fact that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission made a number of recommendations to which we are obligated to respond, and 11 of those specifically speak to health issues. I think it should be no surprise to this committee to recognize the fact that, on any broad range of metrics, there are unacceptable disparities between the health outcomes enjoyed by indigenous Canadians as compared to those of non-indigenous Canadians, so it is of the utmost urgency that we work to address those disparities.
To that end, I believe that the investments in this budget will be very helpful. There is, as I indicated, $813 million of new investment in a whole range of areas. We have worked with our indigenous partners, with leadership in first nations and Inuit communities, to specifically clarify where their needs and priorities are. This is the largest single investment in first nations and Inuit health overall in well over a decade. In the area of home care, which we know is a priority that has been identified by Canadians, this is the largest investment increase in Canadian history for first nations and Inuit. This is good news, but there is a tremendous amount of work to be done.
You spoke to the matter of mental wellness. I am glad that you noted in particular the mental wellness continuum framework, which has been established by first nations. Certainly the budget's investments in mental health will be incredibly important in allowing that continuum framework to be implemented fully. We look forward to working with our partners in first nations communities, specifically to address that framework. We believe that the investments made last year to augment mental health resources, in addition to the new investments coming this year, will go a long way to responding.
I would be happy to provide any further specific details that you would like.