Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For once, we can say: “Good morning, ladies”; usually, we say: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen”.
On pages 12 and 13, you give averages for ordinary schools in the provinces and territories. That seems to be your basis for determining the approximate cost per student for the first nations. In your calculations, do you take into account the fact that in the case of first nations, at least two languages are taught from the start, which is not true of the other provinces? In Ontario, the language is English; in Quebec, it is French. In these provinces, only one language is taught. There is also the isolation of these communities compared to cities. Because of municipal taxes, the cities develop recreational activities and sports within the school system.
I believe it is the role of first nations schools to offer recreational and sports activities that are a part of the school system. Do you think the method used in determining an average for the first nations compared to the average for a province or a territory is appropriate?