I'm going to speak in English, I apologize. My French isn't as strong as your English.
The experience of indigenous people in urban centres is a subject that ought to be a matter of concern for the federal government and this committee. As I said, any federal poverty reduction strategy that doesn't place indigenous people near the centre is lacking, for two reasons: principally, because of the disproportionate levels of low income and poverty that this particular population group faces; and second, because it's one of the areas of federal responsibility.
As I said, on reserve and off reserve, indigenous people need to be part of the strategy. The extent to which the solutions or policy interventions differ between those on reserve and off reserve exceeds my expertise. I wouldn't want to venture a comment. My fellow panellists may have a view.
One thing Shawn said in his comments about social assistance on reserve is precisely right. Not only is there room to increase the level of benefit available, there are also ways to experiment with the way the program is delivered. Not only can that help to improve the conditions for folks on reserve; it can also catalyze change at the provincial level.
I think there is a real opportunity to focus on reforming the social assistance programming for indigenous people as part of the committee's work.