There is continued pressure on the federal Liberal government to fund schools on First Nations at the same level as provincial schools in larger centres.
NDP MP Charlie Angus notes that in 2015 the prime minister promised to deal with the issue, but nothing substantial has happened.
“The chronic underfunding continues as do the incredible promises. When we look at the difference between what’s being promised and what’s being delivered, the underlying facts are clear, the gap in education remains.”
Angus wants Justin Trudeau to explain why the underfunding of First Nations schools has not been addressed.
Indigenous children advocate Cindy Blackstock adds “There’s a misconception out there that First Nations children get more than everyone else. When the reality is that the government has known for 113 years that the federally funded public services, on-reserve, across the board, including education, are dramatically under-funded.”
