First Nations continue to fight welfare cuts – Telegraph Journal
March 30, 2015
FREDERICTON — First Nations in the Maritimes are asking the Supreme Court of Canada to stop Ottawa’s plans to cut welfare rates in their communities.
Last week, lawyers representing the 30 First Nations in the Maritimes, including 15 in New Brunswick, filed a leave to appeal notice with the country’s highest court after losing a lower court battle.
They argue the First Nations haven’t been consulted about the changes and no study has been done to measure the possible negative impacts on people considered among the poorest of the poor in the region.
They also asked the Supreme Court to halt any move by the federal government to change the income assistance rates until a final decision is made on the case, which has dragged on for three years.
