Canada announced it is increasing its spending on postsecondary education, community infrastructure and the health of Indigenous people in the most recent federal budget. This is $3.4 billion additional over five years for areas of 'critical need.' "We have made significant investments that we think will make a difference," Finance Minister Bill Morneau stated. (Pictured: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meeting with Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde.
OTTAWA, ON-The Canadian government announced it is increasing its spending on post-secondary education, community infrastructure and the health of Indigenous people in the most recent federal budget. Observers say this is a clear attempt to slow criticism over its handling of crises that plague First Nations and Inuit communities.
The 2017 budget adds $3.4 billion additional over five years for areas of "critical need," in addition to the $8.4 billion already committed in 2016.
"We have made significant investments that we think will make a difference," Canada's Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, stated.
Education and skills training are part of that spending, with $219 million allocated over the next five years.
Of that, $90 million will go to the post-secondary student support program over the next two years. The government estimates the money will support the financial needs of more than 4,600 First Nations and Inuit students.
Canada's Indigenous population is growing rapidly, with about half under the age of 25. The budget also adds an additional $25 million over five years to Indspire, a charity that helps Indigenous students go to post-secondary institutions and find jobs, and another $104 million in development and training, adult education and reducing employment barriers for young people living on reserves.
Mental health, drug addiction
The government added $828.2 million for First Nations and Inuit health in this year's budget with $118.2 million earmarked to support mental health programs and $15 million to fight drug addiction.
The budget also sets aside $1.1 billion for "improving Indigenous communities" where there's a huge need for adequate housing, better health facilities, new schools and safe drinking water.
Children's welfare funding
Though the government promised to work on cutting the large numbers of First Nations and Inuit children under Child and Family Services, it pledged no money. Last year's budget set aside $634.8 million over five years for child welfare, but the government has been heavily criticized for taking too long "to get money out ...to help children and families in need."
In 2016, a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled Canada discriminates against First Nations children compared with what other children receive under provincial programs. This year's budget document didn't even refer to the program.
A spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said that's because there was no change to the $635 million already budgeted in the 2016 budget that's rolling out as planned.
