Underfunding of Programs for Aboriginal People

As mentioned in Aboriginal People Cost Taxpayers a Lot of Money?, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples said that, around 1996, per capita government expenditures relating to Aboriginal people were 57 per cent higher than for the general population. It attributed the discrepancy to factors such as the remoteness of Aboriginal communities, the youth of the population and the poor social and economic conditions. However, that does not mean that programs for Aboriginal people are more generous than those for non-Aboriginal people. Far from it! In a fact sheet published in 2011, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission tackled “the myth of the Indian spoiled by the system” which, according to the organization, is far from reflecting reality.

A study performed by the Assembly of First Nations demonstrates the chronic under funding of the programs that are intended for First Nations. The conclusions of this study shed some light on what the Office of the Auditor General of Canada has maintained for many years now: not only are the programs intended for First Nations under funded, they also do not meet the standards in effect in most of the Canadian provinces. This is particularly the case for the education program, the child and family support program and the social housing program. At the international level, the UN has time and time again denounced through its authorities or reports the policies of the federal government regarding Aboriginal people.

CSSSPNQL, 2011 : 3

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