Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  She is the expert.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't know why the timing of the bill.... You know, it would have been better, as you say, to have it two or three years before. Everything the government does right now is distinction-based, and if you look at section 35, nothing is said about distinction-based. What the constitution refers to is Indians, Métis and Inuit.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Can I also answer that question?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I wish that I could have told you this morning what I heard at those meetings. However, unfortunately, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples was never consulted. We were never asked for our opinion on the bill. We have 10 affiliated organizations across Canada. These organizations represent indigenous people living off reserve.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I would have to give it thumbs down because we were never consulted. I have a few statistics here in front of me. They state that nearly half—49%—of the off-reserve first nations children were in low-income families, compared with 18% of non-aboriginal children. In Manitoba, for instance, 90% of children who are in care are indigenous, amounting to something like 10,550 children.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. I just wear it so I don't have to go through security.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's quite difficult to determine the amount required if we don't know the needs. The second way that you mentioned would be the most logical way to proceed with this bill. That said, I stated at the very beginning that 70% of indigenous people now live off reserve. We must approach these people and determine their needs with regard to children.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I hope that I answered your question, Mr. Robillard.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Good morning, committee members, representatives and guests. I am National Chief Robert Bertrand of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. With me is Mr. Jim Devoe, the CEO of the congress. Before that, he was a worker in the child welfare system for, from what I'm told, about 15 years.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. This is a very important issue for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Unfortunately, CAP was not consulted on this day. We have noticed in the past that the federal government and INAC deals mostly.... As you know, there are five NIOs in Canada, and the federal government has decided, for I don't know what reason, to deal with only three NIOs in most cases.

Canadian Heritage committee  I am sorry. In any event…

Canadian Heritage committee  Okay, no problem. “Whereas the Department of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism is working on the implementation of a new statutory holiday to mark the legacy of residential schools, and whereas Canada observes National Indigenous Day on June 21 and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples endorse a national indigenous statutory holiday moved by David Turner, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association, seconded by Liam Thompson, Aboriginal Congress of Alberta Association.”

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I was.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, there would be only one date.

Canadian Heritage committee  No. The first resolution that was proposed called for a day to be designated for truth and reconciliation. That scared some people. That is why another name was suggested, the national indigenous statutory holiday. People were in favour of that term, but not of the first name suggested.