I will speak in French.
Over the years, I have travelled all over Canada. I have listened to aboriginal women and have read everything the NWAC has published. I got a hold of a document that really impressed me. It was a document that the Status of Women Canada had asked us for several years ago. Following that reflection process, or that analysis, one thing seemed clear to me. We demand, request and want a national action plan, but as my colleague Ms. Goodwin so aptly said, we first need to make sure that all the departments concerned have some understanding of the issue. Often, when we think of the first nations, the Métis and the Inuit, we think only of Status of Women Canada or Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. When we talk about NWAC, we think about Mr. Valcourt and Ms. Ambrose.
For several weeks now, I have been harassing, and I use that word lightly, the offices of these various departments. I have been calling them repeatedly and telling them that it is good that their government has decided to put in place a special committee, that it is a start and that it is a step in the right direction. However, it does not prevent us from setting up a working group that involves the various departments affected.
We spoke about homelessness or problems related to housing, safety and justice, as well as a number of issues. In the context of this thought process, why not work outside the vacuum? If I may, Ms. Crowder, that is how I see things. This reflection has not been collective, and we haven't yet consulted our members. Having a political will is important. I asked Mr. Valcourt and Ms. Ambrose to co-chair this working group, which could officially meet with representatives from departments such as Public Safety Canada, organizations responsible for housing, anything having to do with economic development, employment and training, and aboriginal women. We should bring together all these people, who would discuss this reality that no one should have to experience. Frankly, we are in survival mode. All these ministers could ask their deputy ministers and people who have decision-making authority to work with the Native Women's Association of Canada. That would be our first exercise.
To conclude, I will talk about another exercise. I will not give up as long as I give my heart to the Native Women's Association of Canada. We need to ensure that the provincial and territorial governments are stakeholders in this work. We managed to get the agreement signed in two meetings. You see, it isn't just the federal government that is involved; it's the provinces and territories, as well. I would even say that it is important to meet with municipal governments sooner or later because they have an important role to play.
We need a national action plan. We are going to implement socio-economic development measures to deal with specific problems that affect us. That is why we need this exercise.