Huge Gap in Education Funding

In 2007, the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) launched a vast public awareness campaign denouncing the under­funding of schools in First Nations communities. A number of public figures also spoke out about the issue, including former Québec premier Jean Charest, who publicly confirmed at the annual meeting of the Council of the Federation that “the funding for First Nations education is insufficient.” (FNEC 2008). And former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin made funding for First Nations his personal cause after retiring from active politics. In February 2016, he stated that the federal government spent between 30% and 50% less per student in the 500 First Nations schools on reserves than in schools administered by the provinces. The parliamentary budget officer of the House of Commons agreed. Noting the huge funding gap between First Nations schools and provincial schools across Canada, he predicted that the gap would likely get wider in 2016-2017. However, there is consensus on the fact that First Nations schools face higher costs due to factors such as remote locations, socioeconomic challenges, higher rates of special education and the ability to attract and retain qualified teachers. (Radio-Canada 2016b)