National Chief Bellegarde says political will is there, but will take time – The Western Star

June 16, 2016

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to immediately lift the two-per-cent cap on annual funding increases for First Nations on-reserve programming, but newly released documents show that has not happened yet.

The Liberal government has committed a historic $8.4 billion for indigenous communities over the next five years to address issues such as First Nations education, safe drinking water on reserves and child welfare services.

But those investments are targeted and time-limited, with about $801 million promised for after the next federal election.

Meanwhile, newly released figures from the Indigenous Affairs Department show its base funding grew by about $107 million over last year, which amounts to the same two-per-cent annual increase that has been in place for two decades.

Read More: http://www.thewesternstar.com/Canada—World/News/2016-06-16/article-4561827/National-Chief-Bellegarde-says-political-will-is-there%2C-but-will-take-time/1