Wendake, March 21, 2019 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) is reacting to the release of the federal budget. This budget confirms amounts totalling nearly 4.1 billion of dollars over five years in sectors such as Indigenous languages, drinking water, child welfare services (Jordan’s Principle), land claims and post-secondary education. Although these amounts allow for improvement at certain levels, the absence of new investments in public security and housing deserves to be emphasized.
“Through repeated cabinet representations, we have repeatedly declared the emergency of the situation in public safety. We have made it clear that police services in our communities must be recognized as an essential service through a law to ensure that funding is guaranteed, equally to other policing services, ” said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations QuebecLabrador (AFNQL).
In addition, adequate housing is an essential and undeniable determinant that helps to bridge gaps at all levels in our communities. Unfortunately, it is left out of the budget.
“The safety of our members deserves more than a program without financial guarantee. Housing is not a whim. Equity is a fundamental right. Structural needs are the forgotten of the federal budget and to reconcile the living conditions of Indigenous peoples, in the respect of our Aboriginal and treaty rights, much work remains to be done, concluded the Chief of the AFNQL Ghislain Picard.
