Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to thank both departments for coming. Of course I have far more questions than I have time to ask, so I will start with a couple of points.
First of all, it's timely, Mr. Clarke, that you were talking about some of the energy development. We have this new report, “Forging Partnerships Building Relationships” by Mr. Eyford. It reaffirms the need for training, including resources for aboriginal leaders to engage in community-based strategic planning, targeted funding for education and pre-employment skills, sponsoring of coordinated regional strategic plans with aboriginal groups and industry, and so on. This is only one of many reports that reaffirm the need for investment in training and education for first nations, Métis, and Inuit.
I also want to comment on Ms. Murphy's comment with regard to K-to-12 education. Of course programs for adults rely heavily on the fact that you have a successful K-to-12 system.
You referenced, Ms. Murphy, the new first nations education act that's been proposed. I'm sure you're well aware of the fact that first nations from coast to coast to coast have some very serious problems with the development of this act and the proposals, including the fact that the act will look at funding in the regulations, but at this point in time, many first nations receive 30% to 40% less funding than comparable schools off reserve.
In your presentation, you indicated, “Here too the Government of Canada has been implementing a comprehensive reform effort to ensure that first nations students have access to the same opportunities as all Canadians in terms of the education they receive.”
Can I take that as a commitment that funding will be comparable to off-reserve schools?