It's clear that the quality of life of aboriginal women as a whole across Canada.... You mentioned on reserve, where there's a deplorable situation, and the federal government is responsible there for their welfare and their well-being.
That's why at Status of Women Canada, we were pleased that the consultations we held last year confirmed our views that focusing some of our attention on aboriginal women and particularly on violence was important. You talked a bit about conditions on reserves. Women who live on reserves are much more vulnerable to violence and family violence, and those are issues that the federal, provincial, and territorial ministers have decided to look at.
I see that in the government's budget, $450 million has been earmarked to improve water supply and housing on reserve, as well as education outcomes that will benefit aboriginal women, children, and all of their families. This is a step in the right direction.
We will continue to do our work. As you may know, we held a conference of federal, provincial, and territorial ministers at the end of March to look at how governments can look at their policies and programs to improve them by taking into account the dimensions and realities of aboriginal women, both on and off reserve.