Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The June 10thmeeting of Ministers and leaders in Ottawa marked the first under the new Federal-Provincial-Territorial Indigenous Forum aimed at improving outcomes for indigenous people throughout Canada and to advance the vital work of reconciliation. This new forum replaces the former Aboriginal Affairs Working Group and includes the federal government now as a full partner in working with provincial and territorial governments and the national indigenous organizations. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the scope of the new forum and to identify priorities, including the collaborative means for moving these priorities forward.

Our discussions covered a number of important issues, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, youth engagement, and child and family services. These areas were discussed as priorities that the new forum can and should provide leadership on. Mr. Speaker, in addition, there was agreement to a number of areas for collaboration, including continuing to support the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; moving forward with efforts started within the Aboriginal Affairs working group to develop a socio-economic action plan for Indigenous women and girls; and sharing best practices that have led to measurable results.

What is very clear from the discussions is that ministers and leaders are committed to working in partnership to address the issues that are important to Indigenous peoples in Canada.