Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank all the permanent members here for the work they're doing at this committee. It's a very important topic.
I thank the witnesses for coming forward.
Mr. Belanger and Dr. McCormick, my name is Wade Grant. I'm from British Columbia. I was formerly the First Nations Health Council chair, and I know that both of you have had interactions with the First Nations Health Authority. I grew up on a first nations reserve, where many of my relatives died way too young because of suicide and other things. We know that, far too often, first nations and indigenous communities will have to announce a state of emergency because of the overwhelming number of people, especially the young people, who are.... According to your stats, suicide is the number one cause of death for indigenous youth and those under 44. It's nine times higher for the Inuit community, three times higher for first nations and two times higher for Métis.
I grew up and went through that, and it shows that people are not getting the treatment they're searching for. You said this in your statement today, Mr. Belanger. I'm just wondering if you can explain a little more about how their needs are not being met or are being partially met and also what comes into play when people don't seek help because of the mistrust they've had for health care.