Fraser Institute Study: Increased Indigenous Spending Not Translating to Improved Living Standards – NetNewsLedger
November 19, 2024
VANCOUVER – POLITICS – A new study by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think-tank, has sparked debate by suggesting that a dramatic increase in federal spending on Indigenous affairs has not resulted in a corresponding improvement in Indigenous living standards.
The study, titled “An Avalanche of Money: The Federal Government’s Policies Toward First Nations,” reveals that federal spending on Indigenous affairs has nearly tripled since 2015, from $11 billion to a projected $32 billion by 2025. This includes significant increases in settlement payouts for class-action lawsuits and specific claims related to treaty violations.
However, the study argues that the modest improvement in Indigenous living standards observed during this period is primarily attributable to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a universal program available to all Canadian families with children.
