Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald’s response to the tabling of the 2021 Federal Budget

TAYKWA TAGAMOU NATION TERRITORY— Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald welcomes new and additional investments for First Nations in the 2021 Federal Budget, presented on April 19, 2021.

“First, I want to recognize Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as the first woman Finance Minister who has presented a budget. In my view, Minister Freeland’s budget presentation is heart-centred and, if fully implemented, could lead to a strong, joint action plan to build safer, healthier First Nation communities.”

As highlighted in the Federal Budget, the government is proposing a new investment of $18 billion over the next five years. This includes an allocation of $6 billion for infrastructure, $2.2 billion to address the national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), and an additional $1.2 billion to assist First Nations in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One long-overdue investment mentioned in Budget 2021 is $861 million over five years to support culturally responsive policing in Indigenous communities. This includes funding to co-develop a legislative framework to recognize First Nation policing as an essential service, direct support for the First Nations Policing Program, policing infrastructure funding, and funding to develop more holistic community-based safety models for First Nations.

“While I welcome Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s announcements, there are some areas that require additional attention. Although some funds were allocated to support First Nation women entrepreneurs, further funding is required to secure capital for community investments and support all First Nations entrepreneurs. Our First Nation economies must be prioritized to ensure they have an equitable and prosperous post-pandemic recovery. More specifically, we have called for an investment of $150 million for economic development for the Ontario Region alone. That amount nationally is simply not enough.

As the country works to build back our communities collectively, we have an opportunity to create long-term solutions that are rooted in our mutual goal of creating safe, healthy, and vibrant First Nations communities where all are safe, protected, and respected. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside the federal government through recognition of rights, respect, and cooperation.”

Ninanaskamon!

Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald

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The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision-making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook or Twitter @ChiefsOfOntario.

Political Office – Media Contact:
Steven McCoy
Communications Officer
Office of the Ontario Regional Chief
E-mail: ORC.Comms@coo.org.

Chiefs of Ontario – Media Contact:
Genna Benson
Communications Officer
Telephone: 416-523-4020
E-mail: Genna.Benson@coo.org.