Northern NDP MLAs Condemn Budget Cuts

Northern NDP MLAs Condemn Budget Cuts

Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 14:46

 

 

Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette says the Saskatchewan Party government has turned its back on the province’s north.

 

Vermette says the government’s decision to cut $30 million from the fire management budget does nothing to help employment in the north.

 

He says he’s especially concerned given that it appears it will be a drier than normal spring, and wants to know the government’s plan to fight forest fires.

 

NDP Northern Affairs Critic Buckley Belanger says the cuts in yesterday’s provincial budget are mostly to northern programs that deal with issues such as highways and housing.

 

Belanger says “the few people who were flirting with this party” now know what the New Democrats mean when they say “don’t trust these guys”.

 

There is new money in the budget for Aboriginal entrepreneurship from the Crown Investments Corporation.

 

The CIC will provide $3 million for First Nations economic development initiatives.

 

First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson says he wants to consult First Nations communities, tribal councils and the FSIN to find out this money would be best invested.

 

As well, the Clarence Campeau Development Fund will be getting more money to help Metis entrepreneurs.

 

Metis Nation – Saskatchewan president Robert Doucette says he’s grateful for the increase in funding.

 

The fund will receive an additional $1.4 million.