Don’t know where the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP stand on Aboriginal issues during this Canadian election campaign? You’re not alone. Don’t want to sift through the massive amounts of information available online? No problem. We’ve done it for you. The following table outlines where each party stands on the various issues concerning Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
IssueLiberalConservativeNDPEducation
- $2.6 billion investment in First Nations students to help close the education gap (including funding committed to by the Conservative government)
- $50 million in addition annual funding to the Post-Secondary Student Support Program
- $200 million over five years to improve First Nations education
- $12 million over three year for post-secondary funding for First Nations and Inuit students
- Invest $1.8 billion over four years in First Nations education
- $4.8 billion over eight years in First Nations education
Culture
- Funding to help Indigenous communities promote and preserve Indigenous languages and culture
- Increasing funding to support the preservation and promotion of traditional Aboriginal languages
- $68 million over four years to revitalize Indigenous languages
Economic
- Develop a Métis Economic Development Strategy and invest $25 million over five years to implement this new strategy
- Investing $30 million over five years for the expansion of the First Nations Land Management Regime to create further opportunities for economic development on reserve
- Investing $248.5 million over five years in Aboriginal labour market programming
- $215 million over five years to the Skills and Partnership Fund to provide skills and development training for Aboriginal peoples
- Work with Indigenous communities to ensure local jobs, training and contracts for infrastructure projects
- Renew and improve the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy
Social
- Launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women
- Enact the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission starting with the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Remove the 2% funding cap on social transfers
- Will address some of the key themes set out in the preliminary recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Will launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women
- Implement the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Consult and act on the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Remove the 2% funding cap on social transfers
Governance
- Will work with Indigenous communities on a nation-to-nation basis
- Establish a federal claims process that recognizes Métis self-government and resolves outstanding claims
- Enacting and continuing the First Nations Financial Transparency Act to increase accountability and transparency of First Nations governance
- Will work with Indigenous communities on a nation-to-nation basis
Infrastructure
- $500 million over the next three years for building and refurbishing First Nations schools
- $500 million dedicated to construction and renovation of schools on reserve
- $170 million per year will be provided to First Nations to support the construction, rehabilitation, and renovation of affordable housing on reserves
- $375 million over four years to improve infrastructure, such as housing, roads, and drinking water on First Nations reserves
Health & Wellness
- Close the gap in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians
- $2 million per year ongoing for mental wellness teams in First Nations Communities
- $30 million in Aboriginal health research to improve and promote the health of Aboriginal peoples in Canada
- Improve health services available for indigenous people living in urban centres with an investment of $120 million
Do you think any main issues have been missed? If so, let us know in the comments below. And above all, don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 19. For the polling station closest to you, visit the Elections Canada website.
