Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled "Towards Holistic Wellness: the Aboriginal Peoples".
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report within 150 days.
Your committee decided to undertake a study on the health of aboriginal peoples following a request by one of the national aboriginal organizations.
The Committee concentrated on the mental health of aboriginal peoples. It received written and oral evidence from numerous representatives of Indian, Metis and Inuit communities.
Following consideration of the evidence heard over the past year, your committee takes the position that all levels of government and representatives of aboriginal peoples must work jointly with communities to develop a comprehensive and co-ordinated plan for wellness.
Therefore the Committee asks that the federal Minister of Health propose to the meeting of health ministers the immediate establishment of a consultative mechanism to allow development of a national action plan to improve the well-being of aboriginal peoples and that she present every year a status report on the plan to Parliament.
On behalf of the committee I want to thank all the witnesses who appeared before it, as well as the many community representatives who so warmly welcomed us during our visits across the country.