The Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said he doesn’t want indigenous people to pay for a poor economy, during a pre-budget address in Ottawa on Monday.
At an Economic Club of Canada event, Bellegarde reminded the public that there’s a gap in quality of life for First Nations people and other Canadians.
The Assembly of First Nation’s (AFN’s) first call to “close the gap” came in its election priorities document in late 2015. In that report, the AFN
Much of his message on Monday echoed the same points laid out in “Close the Gap,” which tells the federal government what AFN needs them to do in the next two years.
Now, Bellegarde is acknowledging the tough economic times facing Canada. He says regardless of the economic climate, a budget must break free from the federal practice of treating First Nations like second-class citizens.
He was quoted in an AFN news release, saying “let’s remember that First Nations were left out in the good times.”
Other key areas for investment for the AFN include education, health, housing, water, and economic development.
He says a budget that closes the gap would be a big step in the new era of reconciliation.
The federal budget will be delivered on March 22.