Beardy wants feds to change funding calendar – The Chronicle Journal
June 11, 2015
Ontario’s regional chief is asking the federal government to change when it approves First Nations funding.
Stan Beardy said in the wake of reports last week that showed $1 billion in lapsed funding over five years within Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the department needs to reform its funding procedures.
What Beardy most wants to see is the approval of funding for various projects come earlier in the fiscal year, during the spring months, instead of the fall.
“When we talk about capital projects, you need to try to mobilize the equipment, materials during the winter roads (season),” said the regional chief.
“If it’s a construction project, it’s ideal that the approvals should be earlier in the fiscal year in the spring time so that allows you to do your projects in the summer time,” added Beardy.
