Reaction mixed on federal budget
- EFN Staff | March 20, 2019
The 2019 Federal Budget titled ‘Investing in the Middle Class’ was unveiled by the Finance Minister Bill Morneau on March 19th. Many leaders have reacted differently to this budget.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in a prepared statement that the federal budget includes key sustained investments that continue to support success for First Nations children and First Nations governments.
“This federal budget shows important and sustained investments to advance First Nations priorities as a result of sustained advocacy by First Nations and the AFN, and that’s good for First Nations and Canada,” said National Chief Bellegarde in a media release. “The investments in First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle, funding for First Nations languages, safe drinking water, emergency services, land claims, economic development and other areas will help close the gap between First Nations and the rest of Canada. They will build healthier First Nations, stronger governments and a stronger Canada. Now it’s time to keep up the momentum to ensure we see results on the ground – in our nations, in our homes and in our families.”
The federal budget includes 24 measures for Indigenous peoples, totalling approximately $4.7 billion aimed at a range of initiatives, including languages, post-secondary education, education, economic participation, emergency management, implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, water, health and well-being. The budget also identifies commitments to loan forgiveness and reimbursement in the area of comprehensive claims and funding for research in specific claims. Specific commitments to support Jordan’s Principle will supplement AFN’s ongoing advocacy efforts for adequate support for its implementation.
Investments over the last four budgets total more than $21 billion, which is four times what the Kelowna Accord committed to in 2006.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive continues to look at the Federal Budget 2019 announcement yesterday to gain a more in-depth analysis of how much of these investments will reach Saskatchewan First Nations directly.
“While we are grateful for the investments in some areas for First Nations, including Post Secondary, Jordan’s Principle and commitments to end the long-standing boil water advisories in many of our communities, this budget failed to address the desperate need for housing or child welfare,” said Chief Bobby Cameron in a FSIN media release. “We also now need to focus on the flow through of these funding investments and ensure that they reach our First Nations communities. We need this Federal Government to instruct the bureaucrats to quit stalling these important issues and expedite the funding desperately needed now.”
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) also released a response statement to the federal budget stating Canada’s Budget 2019 fails Indigenous women.
“There is no dedicated funding for Indigenous women’s organizations,” according to the NWAC statement. “A culturally relevant gender-based analysis on this budget would have identified the needs and priorities of Indigenous women. This budget does not.”
NWAC stated in order to advance reconciliation in Canada, there is an inclusion need for Indigenous women and the organizations that support them.
“It is appalling Indigenous women continue to be ignored. This is unacceptable. By ignoring Indigenous women, not only are you restricting reconciliation, but you are breaching basic human rights,” according to the statement. “This is even more disturbing knowing the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is ending. Indigenous women organizations need financial resources to address the crucial need for post Inquiry healing services. Government of Canada you are now on notice. You may have ignored us in the budget, but you will not ignore our voices.”
The Leader of the Conservative Party and the official opposition, Andrew Scheer, also issued a statement following the release of the federal budget. Scheer stated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is covering up his corruption under $41 billion of brand-new spending paid for by tax hikes if he’s re-elected.
“It is the most expensive cover-up in the history of cover ups,” he stated. “Mr. Trudeau’s plan is obvious. Massive deficits to distract Canadians from his corruption before the election. Massive tax hikes to pay for them after the election.”