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Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the dire situation for First Nations University of Canada.

At the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, I was able to propose the following motion:

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to come back to Mr. Robertson.

You mentioned the importance of science a couple of times. I wonder if you could say more about that. You quickly talked about climate change. I'm not sure what kind of science you're talking about. What are you looking for specifically around climate change?

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Thank you, Mr. Stanton.

Thank you for appearing before the committee. Sadly, I also was not on the trip to the Yukon, although I have been in the Yukon in the past. It's beautiful country.

Mr. Mills, I just want to follow up on something you said. You made a distinction between the settlement lands and traditional territory. What happens in a traditional territory for a band that has settlement land? Is that handled differently?

Mr. Stephen Mills: Thank you for the question.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I have another couple of education questions.

I understand that the audit division has completed an audit of the K-to-12 programs. Do you know when the committee will have access to that report?

A voice: An audit or an evaluation?

Ms. Jean Crowder: I had it as an audit, but it could be an evaluation.

Mr. Michael Wernick: No, I don't know off the top of my head.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Could you let us know on that?

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Also, my thanks to Mr. Wernick and Mr. Quinn for coming before us again. As noted, you have been here many times.

I have two areas I want to focus on. If I have time, I'll go on to something else. My first question has to do with the B.C. Treaty Commission process. I looked at the supplementary estimates and saw no change in the budget that I could identify.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. McCabe.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Thank you, Chair.

In the context of the numbers, that 32% of women in federal prisons are aboriginal, that aboriginal women's incarceration rate has increased by 151% between 1997 and 2007, and that 45% of the maximum security federally sentenced women are aboriginal and so on, the numbers are pretty shocking.

Mr. Chair, in that context, it is important that this committee report back to the House on this matter so that we can keep it on the radar that the committee has taken it under consideration.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Head, for coming before the committee.

I think, as the Correctional Investigator noted, there are many good intentions within CSC, they're attempting to fulfill their mandate, but there are challenges in terms of the ongoing problems with aboriginal offenders within the CSC.

You're aware, of course, that the Correctional Investigator has recommended that there be a deputy commissioner responsible and that the department has strongly indicated that they won't be doing that. His concern is that, without that kind of structure in place, we won't see the kind of results that are needed.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for coming before the committee.

I'll start with two questions and if I have time I'll go to the third. The two questions are linked. In recommendation 12 of your report you indicated that the Minister of Public Safety should immediately direct the CSC to appoint a deputy commissioner for aboriginal corrections. Somewhat linked to that is your recommendation 13 that the deputy commissioner for women should have full and direct line accountability, and therefore accountability for all matters concerning federally sentenced women.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks for coming and updating the committee.