Local reactions to yesterday’s federal budget announcement were torn.
On one hand, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach called the budget a historic win for people.
Bachrach was refering to the benefits drawn from his NDP’s recent supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals, particularly dental.
Yesterday’s budget included $5.3 billion over the next 5 years to go toward a national dental care plan, first covering those under 12, and expanding in future years.
It also included housing investments in line with the NDP agreement, including $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative, a two year ban on foreign buyers, and $4.3 billion for Indigenous housing.
That last point was also one of the reasons the BC Assembly of First Nations says they feel optimistic about the budget.
While they welcome the 6 year, $11 billion, investment in Indigenous communities and infrastructure, they also say Ottawa needs to commit to working toward economic reconciliation.
They say the current system keeps Indigenous people vulnerable to colonial policies and neglect, and call for a system which guarantees predictable, stable revenue streams.
Meanwhile, the National Families and Survivors Circle is calling out the budget’s lack of specific funding toward Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirit, LGBTQ+ people, and survivors of gender-based violence.
They say Ottawa missed an opportunity to reference how survivors would benefit from the budget.
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