A/HRC/24/11 116. Cape Verde noted Canada’s extensive institutional and procedural human rights network, including a tribunal dealing with claims by Aboriginal peoples. Cape Verde made recommendations. 117. Canada noted that First Nations enjoy universal and comprehensive health care, like all Canadians. Despite progress, Canada recognizes that there are still gaps in the health status of First Nations and Inuit. Canada’s Government is committed to high-quality health services for Aboriginal communities, and offers First Nations and Inuit primary health care in more than 600 communities, including many complementary services, as well as support for health services capacity at the community level. 118. Food security is not a challenge for most Canadian families, but there are vulnerable families for whom it is, and Canada takes the issue very seriously. The Nutrition North Canada Program was noted as one example of programmes that enhance food security of Aboriginal communities. 119. Addressing suicide has been a priority for Aboriginal communities and Canada has worked in partnership with these communities to reduce it. 120. Canada’s view is that irregular arrivals can present a legitimate security risk and referred to three safeguards that were in place: only the Minister of Public Safety can designate that an arrival is irregular; children under 16 are exempt from detention; and those who are determined to be refugees are released from detention on designation as a refugee. 121. Bias-free policing commitment and independent review commissions speak to the importance of the independent review process of Canada’s policing system. 122. On sexual exploitation of children, Canada uses a collaborative, multifaceted approach, involving criminal law reforms, to address support to victims and prevention measures. Canada’s Criminal Code provides comprehensive prohibitions, including against commercial sexual exploitation, all forms of child pornography, child trafficking and child sex tourism. Recent legislative changes strengthen these protections. 123. The head of the delegation thanked delegates for their participation, reiterating that Canada had sought to provide an honest assessment of progress since its first universal periodic review. 124. She noted that the Government of Canada has an enduring relationship with Aboriginal peoples, shaped over centuries, rooted in a complex history, and currently propelled forward by progressive partnerships and meaningful investments that target real results and empower Aboriginal people and their communities to generate positive and lasting change. It is in this spirit of renewing Crown-Aboriginal relationships that the Government has taken action over the last five years, prioritizing areas such as education and economic development that are critical to a young and rapidly growing Aboriginal population. 125. She underscored that Canada remained deeply committed to preventing and reducing all forms of violence against women and girls, working across jurisdictions to protect communities and ensure the safety of women and girls. Canada acknowledged the seriousness of the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and was actively working to reduce violence and improve safety for Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. 126. She emphasized that multiculturalism and diversity are core Canadian values. No society is free from discrimination but all levels of government in Canada, working in partnership with civil society including minority communities, are seized of fostering social inclusion for all Canadians. 13