Health committee  I can talk about that in relation to first nations and Inuit health. We're proud to announce that we've just launched a 10-year contribution agreement. We now have agreements with two first nations. We've taken a risk-based approach to ensure that we're being prudent in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Health committee  On the other part of the question, we're doing a number of things to improve aboriginal health. We're trying to shift our resources into promotion and prevention, so we can prevent disease, rather than just be in the business of treating it, as other health care systems are. For example, we're putting a lot of emphasis on things like prevention and management of diabetes, maternal and child health, and research to make sure that we take an evidence-based approach.

Health committee  Yes. My name is Anne-Marie Robinson. I'm the assistant deputy minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

Health committee  Thank you. The aboriginal health transition fund is a five-year fund where we invest $200 million over five years. There are approximately 300 projects that we do in partnership with provinces and aboriginal organizations. These are things to either adapt or integrate aboriginal health care with provincial jurisdictions.

Health committee  First I'll talk about the infrastructure. We have $135 million over two years. Normally, we spend about $50 million a year on infrastructure. This would increase our spending by about another $62 million, so about $112 million, $115 million a year. We have a 10-year capital plan.

Health committee  Yes, I can.

Health committee  I don't have the total. All I can say is that Health Canada takes this situation very seriously, and we are doing everything possible to recover funds for the taxpayer.

Health committee  A budget line?

Health committee  Yes, there is. Out of the $305 million, there is $30 million a year for improving nursing. In addition, in Budget 2008 there was another $34 million invested over five years for training, recruitment, and retention of nurses. So altogether we have a total investment of $95 million.

Health committee  The $60 million is over two years and the $35 million is over five years.

Health committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd be pleased to respond to that question. In terms of investments in infrastructure, it's for health facilities and nursing residences, including a lot of repairs to existing residences. You're right, it is a challenge to hire nurses, so we have invested a lot in recruitment and training of nurses.

Health committee  Madam Chair, thank you for the question. I will answer in English. We're working closely with our partners, the Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit organizations, to ensure that as we develop these new indicators, they're culturally appropriate. As the deputy said, we do accept the findings of the report.