Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is directed to both candidates. Mr. Chair, we as a government in the past have been working towards devolution. This included devolution of all services and programs from the federal government that were actually administered by the federal government in the past.
One of the shortfalls seems to be that we do not receive sufficient funding to carry forth responsibilities. The total administrative cost is far more than what we receive through our funding program from the federal government, in particular, our formula funding agreement. This includes our agreement with Health Canada as well.
Therefore, I wonder if the two candidates would consider the following options that this government would return the responsibilities of health and social services that are applicable to aboriginal people back to the federal government, in other words, the uninsured health benefits.
Also, the federal government, to a large degree, is responsible for education of aboriginal people. They have been asking and putting this responsibility on this government without the appropriate funds. Would it be an option that this government would consider turning educational responsibilities as they apply to aboriginal people back to the federal government?
My last question concerns forest fire suppression. Again, we are taking on responsibilities that we cannot afford. They are not forecastable, and unforeseeable, yet we must bear these costs. However, we do not have the option of benefiting from these forest products. A lot of these forests are now on aboriginal lands, yet we are responsible for carrying out the cost of fighting these forest fires.
Considering that the federal government has not looked favourably at transferring to us the benefits of non-renewable resources, would the candidate consider returning these responsibilities back to the federal government?