Several Budget Items Aimed At Natives, Northerners

Several Budget Items Aimed At Natives, Northerners

Thursday, April 06, 2006 at 15:24

 

 

For the first time ever, the provincial government is committing funding for post-secondary seats at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.

 

That’s one of the provisions of today’s provincial budget aimed at encouraging Aboriginal people to take a more active role in higher learning and the Saskatchewan economy.

 

Finance Minister Andrew Thomson says the government will fund 83 new seats at SIIT.

 

As well, the province is committing $20 million over five years to youth and Aboriginal people through CIC career and skill-building programs.

 

The government is also spending $8.5 million this year to begin work on its northern roads strategy announced late last year. Specific projects mentioned in the budget include the start of work on Highway 956 from La Loche to the Alberta border, the beginning of construction of the Wollaston Lake over-land winter road, and the improvement of Highway 155 north of Green Lake, Highway 106 and the Patuanak access (Highway 918).

 

In addition, another $6 million is being earmarked for improvements to access roads to reserves — including Highway 55 and the roads to Shoal Lake and Red Earth.

 

The government has also set aside $5 million this year for payment of four new Treaty Land Entitlement agreements.

 

Another item of note in today’s budget is a $250,000 commitment to begin planning for a diabetes centre on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

 

Aboriginal students, families and entrepreneurs are also expected to share the benefits of the province’s highlight budget items — namely, a freeze on tuition the next two years, a boost to social assistance and training allowance rates and a reduction in business taxes.