Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think that's a very fair point in terms of an overall critique. In terms of what the act is trying to do—and the Supreme Court was pretty clear about that—this process allows us to expedite things that can often take a lot longer, because of the urgency. Think about two years in the life of a four-year-old.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It takes time to conclude a coordination agreement, absolutely. It usually takes more than 12 months.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. First nations communities can either continue with the first nations program that exists or exercise jurisdiction under the act. Those are their options.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That is a question that I'll have to return to you on with an exact number.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a very good question. Thank you for that. The agreement in principle regarding long-term reform of the child and family services program does provide that there will not be less that will be provided under the act than a first nation would receive under the agreement in principle.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, that's correct. It has not been completed.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just want to make sure I understand your question. Your question is not whether you'll receive the same amount of money through the program or the act. Your question is about on reserve versus off reserve.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think I would have to return with a written answer to your question. I don't want to tell you something erroneously. In terms of what the act allows, the program authorities are typically on-reserve authorities. The act authorities do allow things like prevention services to happen off reserve, absolutely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Oh, I see. I would have to return with a written answer.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a really important question. Absolutely, if you look at a community that's close to Vancouver or Montreal versus a community that's in northern Manitoba, of course the costs are different. Yes, it does account for that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  To date, communities are typically supported for it, yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for your question. We are still reviewing the decision. There's no doubt that significant coordination will be necessary between the provinces and territories, the federal government and communities to put everything in place for the delivery of child and family services.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a good question. In the past few years, we've increased program funding for indigenous child and family services by more than 200% to ensure that first nations across the country receive more funding. The agreements we've signed to date ensure that the funding is really in line with the needs.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you for your question. I'm going to have to ask my justice colleagues to provide more information, but the agreements are signed with the communities, so in keeping with the codevelopment model, we can't make that decision without their consent.