Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd also like to welcome you and thank you for joining us this morning.
I have a question for you of a general nature. However, I'll explain what I'm getting at later. Is the government really doing the right thing, in terms of our obligations toward aboriginal communities?
Let me explain what I mean. When I was young, I worked in close proximity to aboriginal communities, the Algonquin nations in particular, and other communities in Northern Quebec. I also worked side by side with aboriginal people in the hospital system. If I compare the situation today with conditions approximately 45 years ago, I'm left with the impression that the social inequities between aboriginals and non-aboriginals persist. I'm not saying that there hasn't been any progress in terms of their living conditions, but since living conditions of non-aboriginals have also evolved, the gap has remained the same as before. For example, the incidence of poverty today among aboriginals is higher than among non-aboriginals. Housing problems are also more marked among this group, as are alcohol and addiction problems.
The inequities remain. Some appear to have adopted a fatalistic approach. They have resigned themselves with working with the status quo and continue to take sensible action when it comes to government bureaucracy and programs. What position do you currently occupy? You seem to take a more global view of things. Am I right?
In conclusion, I've always found that aboriginal and non-aboriginal parents are not that different. They want what is best for their children. I have eight or nine aboriginal godchildren. In years past, aboriginal parents tried to designate non-aboriginals to act as godparents because if ever they were unable to care for their children, a non-aboriginal would assume responsibility for them. I think that we often tend to harbour some prejudices, particularly when we claim that aboriginals cannot successfully organize their own affairs. We fail to take into account their living conditions and the fact that they are different from those of non-aboriginals. Would you care to share your views on this subject with me?