Mr. Speaker, I taught math for 31 years and I want to talk math with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
A total of $5.5 billion is targeted for about 400,000 on reserve natives. If we divide that we get almost $14,000 per person or about $55,000 per year per average family.
How can a family with a take-home income of $55,000 live in abject poverty? It is easy. They do not get the money. Government officials, native officials, band councils, chiefs, lawyers and endless advisers get the money. There is nothing left for ordinary band members.
What happens when one of them points this out? They get hassled and threatened. What happens if they write a letter to the minister? Their letter is sent to their hasslers. What happens if someone asks for a impartial independent inquiry? They are ignored and called names.
I urge the minister to do her math, recognize that there is a big problem and get to the root of the matter with an independent inquiry.