NDP’s Lori Idlout reacts to funding for Inuit children in Budget 2024, but slams Liberals for failing to close the Indigenous infrastructure gap « Canada’s NDP

April 19, 2024 at 4:30 am  Federal, Politics

OTTAWA— On Friday, NDP Indigenous Services critic Lori Idlout (Nunavut) reacted to Budget 2024. For months, the NDP has fought to secure a reversal of Liberal cuts to key programs at Indigenous Services in this budget, but Idlout says this is only a first step.
“The NDP worked hard every day against Liberal cuts and sunsets to the Inuit Child First Initiative and mental health and wellness programs for Indigenous peoples,” said Idlout. “I am pleased that we were able to reverse the cuts to the Inuit Child First Initiative.
“We secured important investments in establishing a Red Dress Alert, support for the Manitoba Government to search the Prairie Green Landfill, and funding for Grassy Narrows to finally build a mercury care centre.”
Idlout continues to sound the alarm over the massive Indigenous infrastructure gap caused by chronic underfunding by consecutive Liberal and Conservative governments.
“With the infrastructure gap for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis standing at over $425 billion, we needed urgent action in this budget,” said Idlout. “Instead, the Liberals are investing only 1 per cent of what is needed, giving Indigenous peoples pennies. This lack of investment continues to marginalize Indigenous peoples and keeping them in mouldy homes, crumbling schools, and without running water.
“There is so much more the federal government needs to do to uphold its obligations to Indigenous peoples. Justin Trudeau had nine budgets to make Indigenous lives better, but First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people are still suffering. The Conservatives will make things even worse. When they were in power, they made cuts in services that had catastrophic impacts on Indigenous peoples. When Nunavut had a Conservative MP, they cut the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, when more healing is still needed.”
“The NDP will keep fighting to ensure Indigenous peoples get the government investments they need to thrive.”

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: It’s time to ditch the lawn and go natural!
Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:38 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: Communicating with Local Politicians
Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Great Bear Sea initiative shows vision of Indigenous leadership
Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 1:34 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: Understanding the Role of Politicians in Kamloops
Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: The shift to cleaner energy is unstoppable
Wed, Jul 10, 2024 at 4:57 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Live in HD is coming to the Paramount – The Kamloops Film Society
Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 12:37 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Now Hiring! – The Kamloops Film Society
Fri, Jul 5, 2024 at 9:19 am - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: The Key to Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Telling the truth about fossil fuels
Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 10:06 am - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: The Power of Local: How Buying Local and Using Local Labour Fortifies Our Communities
Full Stream