Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to individuals who have been involved in some of this gathering and gleaning of information over the course of the last couple of years, and one individual in particular, with whom I have had direct conversations, is of first nations origin. Apparently he received a little better reception because he was a first nations person collecting and gathering the data. However, even then there was some reluctance. He indicated to me that his job was not made real easy as he went into some of these situations.
I confess to the member that I do not know the answer to this. One of the answers might be to have more of their own people involved in capturing this information. There may be less suspicion and less reserve on the part of the people who are in the position of providing the information.
I think part of it is the sense of a people apart, an alienation, and wondering if in fact the information will be used against them instead of for them. I think those are the things that make people reluctant to be involved in the process.
I think through economic initiatives and various other things, in terms of their own governing, their own capacity and so on, we can encourage them over time to feel more a part of the full stream of Canadian society, which is what I desire and what I think many in the Canadian Alliance desire. They want native people to do well, to prosper, to succeed, to be full-fledged Canadian citizens and to enjoy all the benefits of this great country.