Tory MP Hoping To See FNUC Funds Stay In Sask.

Tory MP Hoping To See FNUC Funds Stay In Sask.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:53

The Member of Parliament for northern Saskatchewan says he is lobbying Indian Affairs to keep the over $7 million in federal funds earmarked for the First Nations University of Canada within the province.

Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Rob Clarke says he’s open to the prospect of seeing the dollars flowing to other institutions.

He brings up both NORTEP and NORWEST as two examples of educational institutions in the province the federal government has dealings with.

Clarke says he has had conversations with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl about the FNUC’s situation, but won’t reveal what was said.

However, he insists that “neither myself, nor our government, have any questions about the value of the education being delivered by First Nations University of Canada — only questions in regard to the management of FNUC have led us to this stage.”

In the end, he says the money must be spent wisely.

Clarke adds federal funding for the FNUC is still in place until August 31st, and the school will need to re-apply if it wants that extended.