$4.1 Billion in Indigenous Spending in Budget 2023 Falls Well Short of Required Investments Highlighted by the AFN

Indigenous spending in Ottawa’s recently tabled Federal budget falls well short of what is needed, according to the Assembly of First Nations.

Budget 2023 includes $4.1 billion in Indigenous investments over the next five years.

But it’s a far cry from the $159 billion in required investments over the same time period outlined in the AFN’s Pre-Budget Submission.

Many of the priorities identified in the submission, such as funding for education, languages, policing, and restorative justice were left out entirely.

Those that were included, such $4 billion in housing investments over the next 7 years, pale in comparison to the requested $63 billion.

National Chief RoseAnne Archibald says the government is creating a cycle of poverty by chronically and intentionally underfunding First Nations.

While she welcomes the funding, she points to a pattern of repetitive injustice which is causing continual harm to communities.

You can find out how the Budget stacks up to the Pre-Budget Submission at this link.