Media.Knet.Ca

On May 29, INAC minister presented the Main Estimates of his department to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. He stated, "The current 2007–2008 Main Estimates includes $6.3 billion for my department." This figure includes the dollars required to support on and off reserve programs, Metis, Inuit and Northern programs (click here for his presentation). As well, the Assembly of First Nations published a report last year called The $9 Billion Myth Exposed: Why First Nations Poverty Endures. Still the conservatives continue to spread what has now become their 10 billion dollar myth. A more appropriate question that Chief Maracle asks at the end of the following articles is, "how much is spent per capita on non-native Canadians?" (federal, provincial and municipal government combined)?

From the Belleville Intelligencer ...

NDP's aboriginal critic calls Kramp's figures 'a disinformation campaign'
Samantha Craggs - June 02, 2007

An aboriginal affairs critic for the New Democratic Party is using words like "irresponsible" and "disinformation" to describe a recent mail-out by MP Daryl Kramp about funding for native communities.

The Prince Edward-Hasting MP's recent mail-out to constituents bears the heading "Getting things done for aboriginal people" and says the Conservatives will spend $7.4 billion for First Nations citizens on reserves.

But the NDP's Jean Crowder said the flyer is oversimplified to the point of being misleading.

"Several people faxed or e-mailed it to me because they were so concerned about it," said Crowder, who represents a British Columbia riding. "When people put out simplistic pieces of information that say people are getting plenty of money, it really is a disinformation campaign."

Kramp's mail-out says the federal government will spend about $10.2 billion in 2007-08 to fund programs directed toward aboriginal people. It says $7.4 billion will go to programs and services on reserves, an increase of $600 million the year before. That translates to $16,465 per person, said Kramp's flyer.

It also says $850 million is forecast for claims resolution and implementation and $2 billion will go to Metis, Inuit and First Nations people living off reserve.

Crowder disputes those figures, which she said include bureaucratic costs such as the minister's salary for Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) rather than direct service. Programs funded by that money include dollars spent on any program with the word "aboriginal" in it, rather than money transferred to band councils, she said. Those figures also include lawyer salaries in land claim negotiations, and 15 per cent fees paid to third-party managers, she said.

Kramp was said he was surprised by the allegations and baffled at how Crowder could dispute the statements, saying he has budget information to back up all three of the dollar figures on his mailing. Administration costs account for four per cent of the $7.4 billion program and services costs, and INAC's total administration costs are $250 million, which includes management, human resources and legal costs, he said. The INAC budget has increased $1.1 billion since last year.

"Regretfully, maybe she takes offence to what we put out, but it's factual data," he said. "I'm certainly not here to mislead anyone. I'm disappointed with the fact that she considers it a disinformation campaign. This is department information and she should have access to it. That's why it confuses me ... If there's a reason, I'll take my knocks, but in this case, there really isn't." Wording on the mailing is concise and spare, deliberately devoid of complexities of the issues, he said, in order to make it clear to those reading it. The mailing included a poll style question: "Do you think Canada's government is getting things done for aboriginal people?" with check boxes for "yes! I think the government's efforts are a good start" and "no! the government is not on the right track." The question is included so the general consensus of those in the riding can be gauged, which is imperative to better understanding how future policy decisions can be made, Kramp said.

Meanwhile Crowder said the NDP and her counterparts in the Liberal party believe the only real way to properly fund First Nations is to follow through on the Kelowna Accord, a deal signed between First Nations and the federal Liberals in 2005. The accord had full support from the New Democrats and it would have added $5 billion to funding for First Nations over five years. In March, the majority of MPs voted in favour of it, with most of the governing Conservatives voting against. The Conservatives dismissed the accord as having been too vague about specific application of federal funds.

Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) said Kramp's government should honour Kelowna. The accord, he said, was signed after months of discussions with government and native officials and the MBQ want to see it enacted.

"The question that should be asked is if people believe that the honour of the Crown should be upheld between the government and the First Nations people?" he said. "That's really what's at issue."

Maracle said Kramp's mail-out statements also raise questions, such as how many land claims $850 million will settle, and how much is spent per capita on non-native Canadians?