$4.5 Billion Committed to Indigenous Initiatives in Federal Budget

Tuesday, 19 March 2019 15:00

The view of the newly anticipated science building at the future Yukon University (Photo courtesy of Yukon College)

Education investments include $26 million over five years to Yukon College to help create a new science building at the future university, which will aim to incorporate increased Indigenous knowledge in future curriculum in the space.

The federal Liberals have committed to spending $4.5 billion in their newly tabled budget for First Nation, Metis and Inuit over the next five years.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the investments will focus on keeping on-reserve water systems up-to-par, as well as improve education conditions for First Nation, Metis and Inuit post-secondary students.

Language-wise, almost $350 million dollars will be invested towards the Indigenous Languages Act, which aims to promote and revitalize Indigenous languages in communities across the country.

The First Nation Child and Family Services program has also received a 300 million increase to their budget, which now stands at $1.4 billion.

The much-anticipated Bill C-92, which will aim to assert more jurisdiction for Indigenous families over their families, will operate out of the the family services fund.

In infrastructure, almost $750 million will be invested over five years across Indigenous communities, aiming to end all water advisories in communities by 2021.

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