Madam Speaker, congratulations on your appointment to the Chair.
I was interested in the comments which the member made regarding aboriginal people. I wonder if the member is aware of the situation which is taking place on the Stony reserve in my riding and the headlines that are being made regarding various bands throughout Alberta taking over administrative buildings and making a plea for help.
I have watched the people on this reserve for 30 years. They have gone from a lucrative, active bunch of people to living in conditions today which are absolutely deplorable. Yet we hear the member going on and on about the wonderful things his government has done for aboriginal people.
I wonder if he is aware of the deplorable conditions on this reserve in my riding. I wonder if he is aware of the fact that the average level of education for these people is about grade six. I wonder if he is aware of the 70 percent to 90 percent unemployment. Is he aware of the high alcohol and drug addiction problems? Is he aware of any of these things as he continually stands in his place and brags about the wonderful things they have accomplished for the aboriginals as things steadily get worse? These people are asking for help through demonstrations and other measures and they are getting no answers.
Is the member aware of the fact that unless we make it possible for the aboriginal people to sustain themselves, we cannot talk about them being independent? How can we talk about them being independent when we do not give them any opportunities? When is this government going to explain to me how it can possibly spend $116,000 for a committee on seniors and sexuality and do nothing for these people? What is he talking about?