Statement made on 19 October 2011 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, I have a supplementary question as well.
With respect to Senator Dallaire's original question regarding Aboriginal groups being observed — I think he used the term "observed" — by military groups, I would suggest they were being spied on. Senator Dallaire indicated that he met some wonderful Aboriginal youth in Edmonton; I think we can find wonderful Aboriginal youth in any community across this country.
This could be a win-win situation for everyone if we would switch our attitude away from one of spying on groups. Why not recruit these young people? Recruitment numbers are down in the military. Here are some young, fit, able-bodied Canadians who are dying to get out of the problems they find themselves in. Let us get them some work. Let us recruit them and train them for the military.
Remember, historically, some of the bravest people who served our country in past wars have been our brothers and sisters from the Aboriginal community. It seems to me that we need to take the opportunity here to marry a problem and a solution and everyone would win.
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