For Immediate Release
March 20, 2007
Vancouver / Coast Salish Territory
“The new federal budget is a step backward for Native people. We are going back to the funding levels of fifty years ago. The money provided for Native people is nowhere enough to address the needs of urban Aboriginal peoples,” stated United Native Nations Vice President Dave Dennis.
While the Government of Canada has allocated $52 million for the 2008 Francophonie Summit in Quebec City, Aboriginals get just $21 million in new cash this fiscal year for job training, the Aboriginal Justice Strategy and to help First Nations join the East Coast fishery. In addition, there is no new funding for housing, education and women’s concerns for urban Aboriginal people.
“BC’s Native people are excluded from this budget. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty stated in his Budget Speech, ‘From the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the rugged shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, many of the most beautiful places on earth are in Canada.’ With a lack of housing, educational opportunities and daycares for urban Aboriginal peoples, it no surprise that BC is not mentioned as a beautiful place to live, especially for urban Aboriginals.”
For more information, contact:
Vice President Dave Dennis
604 688 – 1821
cel: 604 868 – 4283
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Filed under: All News
