Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People recently released its final report. Commission members, their staff and all the people and organizations who contributed to the process have all done so out of a sincere desire to improve the lives of the Aboriginal people of Canada. Here in the Northwest Territories where the majority of residents are Aboriginal, we see the existing problems close up and in great detail. The numbers tell a horror story. We have the highest illiteracy rate in the country, the highest drop-out rate, the highest unemployment rate, the highest crime rate and the highest suicide rate.

The Commission's recommendations are designed to alleviate these kind of problems. Unfortunately the report is being greeted with a definite lack of enthusiasm because it proposes spending an additional $2 billion a year on programs to improve the lives of Aboriginal people. What people do not realize is that there is a cost to doing nothing. Doing nothing is costing the federal government almost $5 billion a year now in spending on financial assistance, on programs that demonstrate limited success and in lost revenue due to Aboriginal people not contributing to the economy. Doing nothing is also costing Aboriginal people almost $3 billion a year, mostly in income that they are not earning because they are not adequately educated. These costs will continue to rise over the coming years.

It is estimated that it will cost $11 billion a year in 20 years. These financial costs are in addition to the high social costs. Look at the lack of hope many Aboriginal youth face everyday. Look at the poor educational facilities, a lack of social support, a lack of adequate housing. Look at the results of that, rampant alcohol and drug abuse and a horrible suicide rate. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard other members speak about these today as well as in the past. I am sure we will hear them speak about it in the future. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.