The federal Liberal budget contains billions in new spending for aboriginal programming, including money to address issues including education, boil water advisories and child and family services.

The spending commitments are considered one of the central themes of the government’s first fiscal blueprint, with $8.4 billion over the next five years aimed at bringing about “transformational change.”

The budget also says the spending represents a significant increase over the investments that would have been made under the Kelowna Accord, which was negotiated by former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.

Part of the government’s commitment involves spending $2.6 billion on First Nations education and almost $2 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure over the next five years, the latter project part of an effort to end boil-water advisories on reserves.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau says Canada can’t be successful as long as indigenous peoples are not given every chance to succeed, noting the arguments are irrefutable in economic terms.

Metis National Council, FSIN, northern Sask. NDP MP respond to budget

The head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says the budget is “a start.”

Chief Bobby Cameron said he is happy with the level of investment in Canada’s indigenous people.

“We’re in a lot better shape than we were the last eight years, I’ll say that,” he said.

He isn’t 100 per cent satisfied, saying First Nations people need more funding for housing, education and child and family services.

“Could we have used more money?” he asked. “Absolutely, because it’s well-known the quality of a home currently being built is just not up to standards.”

He points out the federal funds earmarked to ensure on-reserve drinking water is safe, will help between 15 and 20 First Nations in Saskatchewan that are currently under boil water advisories.

Cameron has no issues with the Liberal’s $29.4 billion dollar-shortfall in the federal budget.

The feds need to invest to get results, and he said he sees a lot in there for indigenous people.

“It’s for the greater good. It’s for our inherent treaty right as indigenous people of Canada,” he said.

However, the NDP’s Georgina Jolibois, MP for Desnethe-Missinipi Churchill River, says she doesn’t want her people to get left behind because of tough economic times.

“Who gets to suffer the most with deficits are the children, the First Nations, the Metis communities, and remote areas. They don’t necessarily get the support that they require,” she said.

Jolibois said the budget has shown the majority Liberal government is committed to change with indigenous people, but she’s still keeping a critical eye.

A lack of funding, and mentions of child and family services was notable in the budget, she said.

“That is a concern for reserves. Our children are being apprehended or placed in foster care. What kind of help is there for them?”

Jolibois said she also wishes Tuesday’s budget had mentioned the TRC report and compensation for those who attended Metis boarding schools, like those in Ile-a-la-Crosse and Beauval.

She sees some promising signs, like funding for criminal justice system improvements in remote communities and indigenous language retention programming, which includes indigenous languages. She is also happy the budget addressed homelessness and affordable housing.

She says from here, she’ll be looking for answers on how new federal dollars will help people in her constituency.

The Metis National Council says they still need to work out how this budget will affect Metis people.

MNC Vice-President David Chartrand says he was concerned the budget only allocated $25 million for Metis economic development, but had a chance to address that concern with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directly.

“I told him I wasn’t overly pleased when I look at the budget and I read it and he indicated to me the Metis won’t be left out and we will be included. It’s just going to take some time to work out the details,” Chartrand said.

His next step will be pushing for clarity on how Metis people will fit into the First Nations education budget.