Opposition parties say there are some good investments in Aboriginal communities in the federal budget but the money should be flowing sooner rather than later.
Both the NDP and Liberals say $1.9 billion for First Nations education and $40 million for on-reserve emergency management assistance are steps in the right direction.
Nevertheless, NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic Jean Crowder says First Nations communities need this money now rather than in late 2015 when it begins to flow.
“We know the needs are there, we’ve seen the reports from a variety of organizations – so why delay,” she asks?
Liberal Aboriginal Affairs Critic Carolyn Bennett says it is simply unacceptable on-reserve students are going to have to wait almost two years for new education funding.
“Kids shouldn’t have to wait one day, let alone one year or two years in terms of equality of opportunity, that has been the central theme of everything we’ve been doing,” she says.
The Harper government is also investing $25 million over five years to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls.
The money will go toward law enforcement, justice, the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains and the Victims Fund.
However, both Crowder and Bennett say what is really needed is a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
As well, the budget invests $305 million over five years to enhance Internet broadband service in rural northern communities.
The lofty plan calls for enhancements of broadband service to a target speed of 5 megabits per second.
It’s designed to reach up to an additional 280,000 Canadian households, which represents near universal access.
The $305 million will be rolled out over the next 5 years however further on in the fine-print it’s revealed that only $1 million will be spent in 2014-2015.
It’s not until after the next federal election, which is tentatively set for October of 2015, that consumers can expect to see the vast bulk of the money.
The Harper government is also targeting $323.4 million for on-reserve water treatment upgrades and the Aboriginal Justice Strategy will get $22.2 million.
Both programs are being funded over two years.
$60 million has also been set aside to help subsidize the cost of healthy food choices in remote northern communities
Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo is welcoming a number of the initiatives contained in the budget.
He points to the recent First Nations Control Over First Nations Education act as a land-mark deal, one that should help bands regain control over their schooling.
He says the act moves away from the government’s tendency to unilaterally impose programs:
“That was the previous proposal, that was rejected…this does signal a new path forward.”
Atleo acknowledges much of the funding for the act isn’t triggered until after the next federal election but he says there are other considerations:
“That’s what’s identified in the budget. The government’s been told by some First Nations that they need time to develop systems. Others have agreements in place, some of them have tri-partite agreements in place.”
Northern Saskatchewan MP Rob Clarke agrees saying the delay will give First Nations more leeway to shape the plan:
“You can throw money at the problem but Shawn Atleo is very pointed, you have to have legislation in place to address the needs. That’s where AFN and First Nations leadership will be at the table making those decisions.”
Critics of the budget have said the reason why the government’s being so frugal is because it’s saving up for big ticket promises before next year’s election.
Clarke says that’s not right:
“Well that’s false. Canadians elected the Conservatives to manage Canadian Taxpayer’s money and on the principle and the platform that we would get a balanced budget — and you’re seeing this take place now.”
Clarke says if he’s voted out of office next year he’ll still rest easy knowing the government has lifted the cap on First Nations Education.