Thank you, panel, for being here. Thank you, Madam Fraser. You must be going through this on a regular basis, 12 hours a day or 24 hours a day.
My question really is not pertaining to you, but I'll have to ask you because the deputy minister is missing.
It is unacceptable that a government invests $8.2 billion in a community, yet we do not see results. As an auditor, as a taxpayer, I think it is important for us to get some form of comfort that things are being done in the way they should be done. As parliamentarians, we sit here and get information and make decisions based on the information we are able to elicit from the deputy ministers, etc.
I have three questions, then.
With respect to the $8.2 billion that is being invested, what are the issues that face the communities that are living in remote areas and in special access zones? I understand that these are isolated communities. In some cases, 60% of first nations communities have fewer than 500 residents. In your opinion, what are some of the critical issues that are important?
Secondly, on page 169 you mention that there are conflicting roles in Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and as well, that the federal government, provinces, and first nations are providing the same overlapping programs. How can these be made more effective?
Thirdly, why, despite all the investment that is being made, are these issues not being addressed?
Some of these are not questions that you may be able to answer. We negotiate agreements with first nations; we have negotiated the Kelowna accord, etc. Why is it that these things are not being done in a proper way?
This is a non-partisan committee, so I'm hoping Mr. Williams will keep it that way. That's my prayer.