Neglect of First Nations evident in federal budget – StarPhoenix
The federal budget was everything I imagined, and less. I didn’t expect much from this government but its latest budget was a disgusting mix of revenge and political neglect.
It was obvious well in advance that the budget would be aimed at the re-election of Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, which took precedence over everything. It’s an unfortunate fact that First Nations people don’t vote in large numbers, and it will be even harder for our people to vote in this election. Why bother wasting money where there is little or no political payback, seems to have been the government’s thinking.
The government last year had committed $1.9 billion to aboriginal education contingent on passage of its controversial First Nations Education Act. When things went sideways after the chiefs rejected the legislation because of its colonial and paternalistic content, the money was removed. Instead of $1.9 billion, First Nations education will only receive an additional $200 million over five years, which amounts to $40 million a year spread across the country.
Read More: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Neglect+First+Nations+evident+federal+budget/10999983/story.html
