Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
In deference to my colleagues who spoke earlier about the coordination of programs, I did a little research before we started this entire investigation. I discovered that over 21,000 studies have been done in Canada on violence against aboriginal women. It's been well documented that this has been going on. Our chair, who's not here today, personally told me that she has taken part in studies on this issue for 17 years.
I hear today this is probably the greatest coordination of programs and services that we've seen in some time. I'm really pleased to hear this is going on. Health Canada has a part in this. Indian and Northern Affairs has a part in this. You're working cooperatively with provincial and territorial governments and with municipalities in order to get funding that has been put aside to where it needs to be.
As a woman, and I hope for all women on this committee, when we look at violence against aboriginal women, we have zero tolerance for this. We've looked at the causes. From some of the psychology I've read, I would suggest that violence against any person oftentimes occurs because the perpetrator has low self-esteem. How do we work towards solving that problem?
Mr. Sansfaçon, you said there are tremendous projects going on in education. One of the things I read here is particular to one of your projects. It says:
The project increased the development of positive social skills in boys aged 6 to 9. A significant difference in school achievement levels (reading, math and spelling) was found for both boys and girls at the intervention site.
I'd like you to talk about the education process. What's the retention for boys and girls in the school system, particularly for boys?
To the RCMP, who was somewhat cut off, could you elaborate on your initiatives for the prevention issues?