Calvert Says On-Reserve Funding Deals To Continue
Monday, December 04, 2006 at 14:30
Premier Lorne Calvert says he expects his government will continue to make partnerships with First Nations in the areas of education and health.
Recently, the province announced it would provide money for nurses’ training at the Kawacatoose First Nation and trades training at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
Calvert knows those areas are traditionally federal responsibility, but he says the province can’t afford to wait for Ottawa to address First Nations issues.
Calvert says that doesn’t mean his government will relieve the Tories of their treaty responsibilities.
The premier says he wants to see more action from Ottawa on the First Nations health file.
Calvert notes it has been one year since the signing of the Kelowna Accord, yet there has been little movement by the federal government on the multi-billion-dollar agreement.
He is reiterating his call that the Conservatives immediately implement the provisions of the deal.