Harrison Responds To FSIN’s Criticism
Monday, May 30, 2005 at 14:20
A Conservative MP from northern Saskatchewan is defending his party’s record on First Nations issues following criticism from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
Jeremy Harrison came under fire recently from FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird over the Conservatives’ attempt to defeat the federal budget in a recent vote in the Commons.
Bird says had the Conservatives succeeded in forcing another election, it would have derailed some of the momentum Aboriginal groups have in Ottawa right now.
However, Harrison says Bird has misunderstood the reasons why the Conservatives voted the way they did.
Harrison says the Conservatives feel the amended budget the Liberals presented after making a deal with the NDP will put too much of a strain on federal coffers and is “irresponsible”.
Harrison notes the Conservatives supported the original government budget, which gave $735 million in new money for education, housing and other Aboriginal initiatives.
Harrison also says he was hoping to see more money devoted for Aboriginal programming, particularly housing.