Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a significant community achievement in my riding. The Membertou First Nation has become the first native government in North America to become ISO certified.
The ISO rating shows customers that the reserve has achieved a high level of product quality and service which is a key requirement to do business with many multinational corporations.
Membertou is determined to be the master of its own destiny. Although it has already signed deals with four major corporations the band is still striving to better the lives of its residents. The business deals have earned the band more than $500,000 in the last year and the unemployment rate has dropped from 50% to 35%.
I would ask everyone in the House to join me in congratulating Chief Terrence Paul, CEO Bernd Christmas and all the residents of Membertou for their hard work and trailblazing attitude toward community development. Membertou is setting a fine example for all communities right across Canada.