The Canadian Press
OTTAWA—The Liberal government will lift a long-standing cap on First Nations’ funding, Justin Trudeau said today as he promised a fresh fiscal partnership with indigenous communities—even as the economic and political pressure on the federal pocketbook continues to mount.
Just one day after Finance minister Bill Morneau conceded the promised Liberal middle-class tax cut will cost more than originally planned, Trudeau told First Nations’ leaders of his plan to remove the two percent cap on reserve program funding.
“As you know, that limit has been in place for nearly 20 years,” said Trudeau, who promised to remove the cap in the government’s first budget.
“It hasn’t kept up with the demographic realities of your communities, nor the actual costs of program delivery,” he noted.
Trudeau’s speech, delivered to a special assembly of chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations in Gatineau, Que., is part of a broader promise to reset the fractured relationship between Ottawa and Canada’s aboriginal peoples.
“Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation,” Trudeau stressed.
“I promise you that I will be your partner in the years to come, and hope that you will be mine.”
Perry Bellegarde, the assembly’s national chief, told the gathering he’s confident that Trudeau “is listening.”
“In his mandate letter to each and every cabinet minister, Prime Minister Trudeau wrote it is time for a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples,” Bellegarde noted.
“Very powerful words.”
The new relationship needs to be based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership, Trudeau noted.
“I know that renewing our relationship is an ambitious goal, but I am equally certain that it is one we can, and will, achieve if we work together,” he pledged.
The prime minister also has vowed to move on implementing all 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which explored the dark legacy of Canada’s residential school system.
Among those recommendations is a public inquiry into the tragic phenomenon of missing and murdered aboriginal women—something to which the Liberal government already has committed.
A news conference later today with Status of Women minister Patty Hajdu, Indigenous Affairs minister Carolyn Bennett, and Justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould was expected to provide additional details.
“We have made this inquiry a priority for our government because those touched by this national tragedy have waited long enough,” Trudeau said.
“The victims deserve justice, their families—an opportunity to heal and to be heard.”
Quebec Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, a former national chief of the AFN, said he will be watching how the government responds to the recommendations once the inquiry is complete.
The Liberals have promised to spend two years and $40 million on the study.
“I think the families want to be heard, people want to tell their stories . . . then the report will come out,” Coon Come said.
“We’ve seen so many commissions and the reports sitting on shelves collecting dust. “
Coon Come, however, said he’s hopeful about the new government’s approach.
“The previous government certainly showed no respect, limited consultations, continued to push policies without the consent and involvement of the First Nations of this country,” he noted.
“Here, we now have a new prime minister who is stepping forward, actually coming to our assembly,” Coon Come added.
“I think that, in itself, is a great message.”
