Kelowna Accord Missing From Federal Budget

Kelowna Accord Missing From Federal Budget

Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 15:38

 

 

There’s no mention in today’s federal budget of the $5.1 billion Kelowna Accord that Aboriginal groups negotiated with the Liberals.

 

The Tories’ first budget includes an extra $450 million over two years for to improve education outcomes, socio-economic conditions and water supply and housing on-reserve.

 

The government also committed up to $300 million

to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing.

 

Those funds will be allocated to the provinces.

 

There is also a $2.2 billion commitment to address the legacy of residential schools.

 

As well, the Conservative government says it will consult with Aboriginals, and provinincial and territorial governments, to develop a new approach to meet the targets negotiated under the Liberals.

 

Already, a number of First Nations leaders say this budget is a far cry from what was committed by the First Ministers in November.