NDP secures debate on cuts to Indigenous services as Liberals fail on reconciliation

OTTAWA – On Monday night, Canada’s NDP secured a debate in the House of Commons that will put the Liberals’ cuts to Indigenous Services under the microscope. The NDP says that this debate is necessary as the services that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples rely on cannot be ended.

In their 2023-24 departmental plan, Indigenous Services Canada estimates there will be up to $7.6 billion in cuts by 2025-26 as programs sunset and are not renewed. The Department says these cuts come as funding ends for mental health and wellness programs, as well as for the implementation of Jordan`s Principle and healthcare access for Inuit children, among other things.

New Democrats will fight to ensure funding for these essential programs continues.

“Enough is enough,” says Nunavut MP Lori Idlout, “Decades of neglect and under-investment has stopped too many communities from thriving and forced them into poverty. The healthcare, housing and affordability crisis that exists in Indigenous communities is a choice – one that Minister Hajdu is seemingly all to happy to make.”

According to a report by the AFN, the First Nations infrastructure gap sits at $349.2 billion. At existing spending levels, it’s impossible to see how Minister Hajdu will keep her promise to close the infrastructure gap by 2030, let alone include the infrastructure gaps experience by Inuit and Métis communities.

“This is a stark reminder of the cuts that Stephen Harper made throughout his government, which Pierre Poilievre was proud to support,” said Niki Ashton (MP Churchill-Keewatinook Aski). “These cuts will only bring harm. The question is, why are the Liberals, like Conservatives before them, ok to cause such harm?”

“Indigenous peoples must take a stand and resist the cuts,” added Idlout, “The NDP calls on the government to reverse these cuts and ensure First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have the resources they need to thrive.”