Mr. Speaker, earlier today we also talked about the impact on aboriginal communities.
First, I want to congratulate the member on his eloquent speech.
As I mentioned earlier today, Grand Council Chief from the Anishinabek Nation, Patrick Madahbee, had indicated the impact the implementation of the HST would have within first nation communities. He said that the impacts of the HST will hit their communities and citizens hard. He also acknowledged the fact that many of their people live in poverty, or close to it, and with the HST in place, as proposed, they will struggle even more. Their communities have been faced with significant challenges just to maintain or build up the standard of living and the HST works against this. They are worried not just about their own people. He said that impacts will be similar among non-first nations people, especially those on fixed incomes, lower- to middle-class families.
This will impact especially single women, as well.
Could my colleague perhaps elaborate on the impact on first nations in his community? I know that he does have some as well.