Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke eloquently about a number of issues facing our aboriginal people in Canada.
I want to ask a question, but before I ask it, I would like to provide the member with some information relevant to a number of things that she said regarding a backlog.
With regard to the backlog, I want to assure the member that a great deal of preparatory work has already been done. There is a dedicated registration unit that is already in place making preparations for anyone who intends to apply for registration.
I would encourage the member to share that information with the people she serves.
First and foremost, the economic action plan dealt with a number of issues that would help with water, housing and the things the member mentioned that need addressing.
Unfortunately the member and her party voted against all those funding measures for aboriginal people. I need her help in all of this.
I am going to ask the member if she would endeavour to inform her aboriginal people that they need to prepare for registration if they qualify. They need to get their long form birth certificates in order, in preparation for the changes that are about to come.
Can I count on her help to do that?