Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Violet Ford]

That question is a bit more difficult to answer, and I think that requires more research.

I think it's really important to have the youth input into future legislation and new policies. Youth in the Inuit world in Canada make up over half of the population. They will be our new leaders, so they will need to be involved at an early stage.

On the whole issue of legislation and Inuit women, I can't even try to answer that, other than to say we must make sure they're valued and that they have the resources and the support they need so they can find their place in this world.

[Earl Dreeshen, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

That's fine. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Thank you very much, Mr. Dreeshen.

I thank members for their questions and particularly thank our witnesses for coming today and for helping inform this very comprehensive report we're involved with. This has been very helpful. Of course all of your testimony today will be on the transcript, and we'll be poring over that in the weeks and months to come.

We had two fellow chairmen from two of our standing committees here with us this afternoon, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Szabo, so you had quite a panel here, witnesses, for this afternoon's session.

Ms. Ford, did you have a question?

[Violet Ford]

Can I just make one more point in response to the previous question in terms of what can be done in the future?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Yes, please go ahead. We have time.

[Violet Ford]

I think the whole copyright reform legislation process really needs to be changed to break down the barriers to economic development for Inuit.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

That's a timely point. In fact there is a consultation engagement that has just begun on that very issue. I believe it's on the Industry Canada website, and I'd ask you to check that out. The government is accepting input and advice on that very subject.

Members, when we come back, after the constituency week, Tuesday afternoon we'll be continuing on this study. Thursday afternoon we'll be back to main estimates, and in the first hour we'll be considering the report on the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. I'll give you advance warning that I will not be in the chair on Thursday, May 27. Mr. Russell will be our chair that day. You have advance notice of that, so please treat him well when he's in the chair on the 27th.

By all means, enjoy your break and hopefully get a good rest.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.