Status of Women committee  Maybe I can try. The Government of Canada, of course, takes the issue very seriously and is working with partners in the provinces and territories and aboriginal communities to deal with the issue of violence against women, and to ensure that justice systems and law enforcement systems are in place to protect women.

Status of Women committee  Good morning. I'm pleased to be here today to discuss the government's commitment to mental health and emotional support for aboriginal people under the Indian residential schools settlement agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to a fair and lasting resolution of the legacy of Indian residential schools and recognizes that bringing closure to the legacy lies at the heart of reconciliation and a renewal of the relationships between former students, their families, communities, and all Canadians.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I would just say again that the money provided to Health Canada under the settlement agreement was not reallocated from funds intended for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. The healing foundation was not intended to be permanent. The government has an obligation and recognizes that obligation to provide healing services and health support services throughout the life of the settlement agreement, and it will do so through the resolution health support program.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Sure. The future care award, which is paid out through the independent assessment process and negotiated as part of that process, includes $10,000 for counselling or treatment and up to $15,000 if it includes psychiatric care. The average payments to date have been about $8,200.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No, you didn't. Thanks.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's 2014.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, the healing foundation was never intended to be a permanent organization.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, the parties to the settlement agreement negotiated funding for all parts of the settlement agreement, including the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. It was through that negotiation process by the legal counsel for the churches, for the students—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, the healing foundation continues to exist until 2012.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For 12 healing centres.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The obligation under the settlement agreement for the Government of Canada is to provide health and healing services, which it will continue to do. The Government of Canada will continue to fulfill its obligations under the settlement agreement through the resolution health support program.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, there's some confusion between the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which was delivering healing supports to survivors, and the common experience payment process, which is a payment for individuals who went to residential schools. It pays them, based on a formula, for their experience--their loss of language and culture at the schools.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Do you want to explain your program and the differences?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. There has been.... In 2006, a year after we started implementing the common experience payments, the courts decided to add a step in the appeals process. Applicants who have had their applications denied for various reasons can go to the national administrative commission, or committee, for an appeal.