Northern Sask. MP Georgina Jolibois questions Ottawa’s commitment to Indigenous communities, suggesting the federal government has taken too long to invest and has not put enough money forward to address the mental health issues in La Loche.
The criticism comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in that community a commitment of $2.2 million over five years for cultural and language-based programs, on-the-land activities, and mental health services, three years following a fatal shooting there, which left four people dead and seven others wounded.
“$2.2 million is way too short from the initial request of $15 million. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said and he did reiterate it yesterday of listening to the people and what the community is asking for,” Jolibois said. “The key take-away from the Prime Minister’s announcement in La Loche was that he’s listening, but not hearing communities who know how to best help themselves.”
The government says the funding comes following recommendations from the community, and supports the Holistic Healing Plan that Dene High School developed after the tragic shootings of 2016.
With Trudeau making his seventh appearance in the province in the past year, the second this month, and in an election year, Jolibois is suggesting the announcement may be politically driven.
“The school, the community and the reserve have done extensive work in putting together their proposals together in asking the federal government and including the provincial government for assistance for various initiatives. They’ve waited a very long time, until now for further assistance,” Jolibois explained.
The provincial government just completed $4.5 million in renovations to the Dene High School and Premier Scott Moe announced Wednesday that Sask. will invest $3 million in building 12 units for staff housing to better attract more professionals to La Loche.