Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I use the word “engagement” because, as you may be aware, many first nations challenge the use of consultation and say they don't wish a certain discussion or whatever to be considered a consultation because of confusion with the actual duty to consult. I use “engagement” as meaning I don't know whether we'll start with information sharing, and then we'll get into some discussions, but I don't want to put the first nations into the position of being in agreement that that is defined as a consultation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, that's correct.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The 2% is on the basic services. Since that time, we have also introduced new programming. That is over and above the 2%. About five different programs, I think, have been introduced since then: high-cost special education and teacher retention, just to name two. Those all added incremental dollars.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  No, I think that's okay.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Maybe, Mr. Duncan, I could just add to that. The way the student population was probably calculated was by using the nominal roll system, in which case the number of students actually attending school are counted on a particular date, and then there are some subsequent follow-ups to see if that's changed.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's what we talked about after phase two, and we are already working with AFN and other organizations such as FNEC on the comparability issue. We're not denying there isn't a real challenge in comparability, but a lot of work needs to be done to figure out, first, what would be comparable, and, second, how you would maintain it in the future.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The only thing they don't know about are those two new programs. As Ms. Keenan explained, we have just sent out the letters. As for the rest, discussions are underway. Communities that have signed a five-year funding arrangement know exactly what amounts are involved. As for the communities that signed a comprehensive one-year funding arrangement, discussions began well before the beginning of the current fiscal year with regard to the amounts they will receive.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think there are two points here. Quebec has a type of vocational training at the high school level. That is one thing, and it represents a challenge for us. I will ask Céline to explain that. For training other than that offered at high school, there are other federal government programs, HRSDC programs that are directed to training and skills development.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. We recognize that if we want to obtain better results, two things have to happen: likely, more investments, but also different kinds of programs. What does that mean? How are they going to be funded? Is the best way to do this through a formula? I don't know. We have to study these things.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll speak to how it actually works, and then Céline is going to talk about how it specifically works in Quebec. You're right, Mr. Russell, in the sense that as part of the funding first nations receive, libraries are an eligible expense. The operations of libraries are an eligible expense.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Russell. You're right. In my comments I was really referring to the fact that funding alone won't make the improvements. What we're interested in doing is achieving improved results. Everybody's interested in that. This committee has considered the 2% cap before.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and committee members. I am pleased to be here today and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to discuss the important issue of first nations education. Education is the key to personal success and Canada's continued prosperity in today's knowledge-based economy.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  AFN has approached us. They're very interested in working with us on both the response to the audit and the review. A number of first nations and first nations regional organizations have also approached us. We're contemplating, at the present time, engaging with them on both the audit and the review.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The amount is approximately $7 million, not $10 million.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I am sorry, did I misunderstand you?