Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, sir, my answer is that I've been asked that question about once a month for three or four years and I've always declined to offer any comment. I wrote a report in 1977 that was well received, and to a great extent it has been carried out. I think I'd be pressing my luck if I started giving out opinions about the current process, about which I don't pretend to know a great deal, except what I read in the papers.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I do. I would just add that some of these recommendations were worked out not only with the people in Nunavut but with the people in Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I think the program, which you indicated the government adopted in 2009, of course was a positive step.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  In my report about Nunavut, I urged that the training of Inuit people as teachers had to be enhanced, because in the nature of things it's very likely only Inuktitut-speaking people who will be able to give instruction in Inuktitut. That presents a difficulty. The difficulties we face in Nunavut are very serious, and the problem is that Mr.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. I think the potential for economic development is there and the impetus for economic development will make itself felt. I think there will be economic development. My concern is that the progress of the aboriginal people, their capacity to participate in that development, should be given as much importance as anything else.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Well, I'm sure you're right, sir. My point was that it has been the policy of the federal government under Liberals and Conservatives, and Liberals and Conservatives again, not to subsidize education in any language except English and French. That's what I was saying. I'm grateful to you for reading the report.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I was appointed by the Liberal government and I handed my report in to the new Conservative government. Mr. Prentice was the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, I think. I'm sure they looked at it. I think they are opposed to the principal recommendation, which is that there should be federal subsidies to teaching in Inuktitut as well as in English and French.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm sorry. I went on for too long.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm relieved by your introduction. When the previous speaker said the Berger era is over, I thought, well, it had a good run, 30 years or more. I'm also relieved to know the topic is the general one of economic development in the north. For a moment there I thought it was a reprise of the whole Mackenzie Valley issue, which is now in other hands, and no doubt very competent hands.