When we talk about reconciliation with indigenous peoples, we are talking about the healing of wounds related to colonialist policies. We are also talking about the recognition of aboriginal and treaty rights, as well as about repairing the education system, protecting childhood and justice. In that context, it's also a matter of working on rebuilding economies of indigenous peoples so as to reduce, even eliminate, the socioeconomic gap between aboriginals and non-aboriginal Canadians. That is what we mean by economic reconciliation.
I would like to add that, when we talk about the economic development of communities, it is important not only to talk about money or contracts, especially right now, during this second COVID-19 wave. Infrastructure is also important.
For example, in the Atikamekw community in Haute-Mauricie, Quebec, the government recently invested in the building of a fibre optic network that will give communities access to high-speed Internet. That is extremely important. This announcement has given wings to the Corporation de développement économique Nikanik, in Wemotaci. It has helped develop and start up a number of new local businesses in various activity sectors, including a gas station and a sawmill.
The Canadian economic recovery will generally rely a great deal on infrastructure. This is a golden opportunity to support indigenous communities.