Finance Minister vows First Nation commitments as top priority in budget

By Joey Krackle
Finance Minister Bill Morneau vowed to keep the Liberal government’s commitments to Aboriginal people as a top priority in the first budget on Jan.6.

“The new government considers its recent commitments to helping aboriginal communities to be critically important,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “Canadians gave the Liberals a mandate to follow through on their campaign commitments — although he acknowledges that Canada’s economic situation is worse than expected.”

The Liberals made several key promises to indigenous Canadians that were not costed in the party’s platform — such as delivering on all 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s probe of residential schools.”

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee welcomed this commitment and looks forward to working with the Trudeau government to achieve the priorities of the Anishinabek Nation.

“I look forward to working with the Liberal government to implement the priorities and initiatives important to the Anishinabek Nation,” says the Grand Council Chief of 39 First Nations.  “Many of our initiatives require the cooperation of both levels of government to ensure successful implementation.”
First Nation commitments continue to be a top priority in the upcoming federal budget.

Grand Council Chief Madahbee reminded First Nation citizens of the summary Indigenous Liberal 2015 platform and its commitments:
1. Education
2. Housing
3. Health
4. Missing & Murdered Aboriginal Women
5. Economic Opportunities
6. Indian Act
7. Land Claims
8. Kelowna Accord – Strengthening Relationships and Moving Forward