Ottawa Pulls Funding To First Nations University

Ottawa Pulls Funding To First Nations University

Monday, February 08, 2010 at 14:07

 

 

The federal government has announced it will not be renewing its current funding to the First Nations University of Canada.

 

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl issued a statement this morning, saying there have been repeated delays by the institution to take action on “long-standing, systemic problems related to governance and financial mismanagement” of the school.

 

Strahl says “this situation can no longer continue”.

 

The annual federal funding of $7.3 million will run out as of March 31st.

 

Strahl says his primary concern is ensuring the students at FNUC are able to complete their academic year.

 

This announcement comes on the heels of the province’s decision last week to pull $5.2 million in funding as of April 1st.

 

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations voted last week to put its executive on administrative leave and dissolve its board of governors.

 

A meeting will be held tonight to decide which academics will be named to the interim board.

 

The president of the Canadian Association of University Teachers is criticizing Strahl’s decision to pull the plug on the FNUC.

 

James Turk says for years the federal government sat silently while the association called for action to be taken against the university for problems with its governance.

 

He notes when the FNUC finally cleaned up its act and dissolved the board of governors, Strahl pulled the money away.

 

Turk says it just doesn’t make sense.

 

Turk says he will be sending a letter to Strahl outlining his disbelief at the decision.

 

He says both governments must put their funding back as soon as possible before teachers start leaving the institution en masse.