A northern Saskatchewan First Nations chief says he thinks the government’s decision to raise the age of retirement could especially affect Aboriginal people.
Roy Cheecham of the Clearwater River Dene Nation is reacting to Ottawa’s plan to push back the age workers can qualify for Old Age Security from 65 to 67 years.
Cheecham argues that is a move First Nations residents will feel the most, because of how many young people make up the Aboriginal population.
The chief adds this is just another reason why First Nations need education funding to get them prepared to enter Canada’s workforce.
Cheecham says he will be watching to see what the federal government does with a recent $275-million pledge towards First Nations education.
He says the money will help if it targets the funding gap that exists between salaries for teachers on reserve, and those who teach off-reserve.
Cheecham says the money could also be well-spent if it closes the gap between the funding spent on First Nations students and the provincial average.