Thank you, Chair.
In the context of the numbers, that 32% of women in federal prisons are aboriginal, that aboriginal women's incarceration rate has increased by 151% between 1997 and 2007, and that 45% of the maximum security federally sentenced women are aboriginal and so on, the numbers are pretty shocking.
Mr. Chair, in that context, it is important that this committee report back to the House on this matter so that we can keep it on the radar that the committee has taken it under consideration.
There are three questions I'd like you to address. You mentioned in the management protocol that a process was being done. First, has there been a consultation process with organizations like Elizabeth Fry, the Native Women's Association of Canada, and other organizations around this management protocol and how it adversely affects women?
Second, you indicated that you thought it would be important to have an external accountability process. What would that look like? If I have time, I'll come back.
Third, what is the single most important thing you think this committee can recommend?
I'll let you just go to it.