Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the member for Yukon very much for his insightful and moving remarks, and also for his very relevant question.
The natural resource sector is the largest private employer of aboriginal peoples in Canada. In 2012, more than 32,000 aboriginal people worked in the sector, which is 8.3% of all aboriginals employed in Canada, with 13,500 in the energy sector, 10,200 in minerals and metals, and 8,500 in the forestry sector.
Over the next 10 years, more than 600 major projects representing over $650 billion in potential new investments are planned across Canada. Most of this development is located on or near aboriginal communities, and much of it is located in northern Canada.
To further enable aboriginal peoples to take advantage of these opportunities, budget 2013 would provide over $600 million to support aboriginal education, skills development and community infrastructure. These efforts will ensure that aboriginal Canadians can share in the tremendous benefits offered by the development of our natural resources.