Merci.
We have very specific criteria with respect to the programs and proposals that are presented to Status of Women Canada. In fact we receive hundreds of them. The criteria are very clear and they are made out to all Canadians. But I am delighted with the programs that have been supported in local communities that aboriginal women are supporting.
By way of example one of our best programs, I think, and one thing that I think many people are very proud of is the aboriginal women's leadership program in Saskatchewan. This is an indigenous leadership development program that received $325,000 for a 30-month project. The end result of this was not only that many aboriginal women were trained and able to take on leadership roles but that the first woman vice-chief in the history of the Federation of the Saskatchewan Indian Nations was actually elected—proven results for an excellent program put together, developed, and implemented in a local community area.
So do I encourage as many women from aboriginal populations, Inuit, and Métis across the country to apply? Absolutely. In fact I was in Thunder Bay on Thursday, Winnipeg on Friday, and Kenora on Saturday meeting with a wide range of Canadian women including indigenous women. I talked to them all about the program. I encouraged them all to apply.
But I will be frank. We do have very strict criteria and all Canadians need to meet that criteria. Our staff and the public service work extremely hard to make sure that all Canadians have access to this program.