Budget better but falls short, says FSIN

The federal government’s latest budget sends a strong signal about its commitment to Indigenous people, according to the chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

At the same time, the almost $5 billion earmarked for Indigenous health, social services and infrastructure in Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s third budget doesn’t go far enough, Chief Bobby Cameron said.

“In some senses we’re pleased, but it’s not enough,” Cameron said Wednesday in an interview, adding that simply resolving housing issues on First Nations will cost “billions and billions.”

Delivered Tuesday in Ottawa, Morneau’s budget — which includes a host of provisions aimed at improving life for Indigenous people, who are more likely to live in poverty than other Canadians.

The budget commits $1.5 billion over five years plus $149 million annually for health care, $1.4 billion over five years for Indigenous childcare services and $173 million in new funding to eliminate boilwater advisories on reserves.

It also includes $1.5 billion to support housing strategies for Indigenous communities, including $300 million in new funding. The remainder will be drawn from a $4 billion, 10-year investment unveiled last year.

Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde, a member of the Little Black Bear First Nation near Melville, told the National Post on Wednesday that the budget shows the government “moving in the right direction.”

Cameron, who estimated that 10,000 new homes are needed in Saskatchewan, where First Nations populations are growing, described the investment as a “good down payment” after years of governments neglecting a serious problem.

Asked how the government should balance the need to support Indigenous groups while covering all of its other costs, Cameron acknowledged it was a difficult task but emphasized the importance of treaty rights.

“We’ve done our best to lobby and advocate for the last three years to get this serious injection. They chipped away at it a little bit, but now we’ve got another year to continue that work.”