Thank you for that question.
That call for proposals with the low number of indigenous projects that was approved was an anomaly. Year over year we tend to invest at least 15% of our funds in aboriginal projects and if you look at the long-term trends...because as I mentioned at my last appearance, we don't tend to work call by call. We look at the trends over two years, three years, and even longer to identify some issues and challenges that need to be addressed. So that being said, this was an anomaly but it's a serious anomaly and we're taking it seriously.
Yes, we are looking at issues such as the criteria. The very early discussions we've had with aboriginal groups that were not successful and those that have been successful are showing us certain trends. First-time applicants, whether aboriginal or non-aboriginal, are not as successful as applicants who are coming to us for a second or a third attempt.
What we are going to be determining now is whether we had more new applicants in that aboriginal group that was unsuccessful in that specific call. So there are trends and we're keeping a close eye on it. We take it seriously. I'm confident that when we're looking at this over the last two or three violence calls and the next violence calls, we will be correcting this, because I have every indication that the minister is also taking this very seriously.