AFN's submission to House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for pre-budget
From http://www.afn.ca/misc/PBS-2010.pdf
Transforming the Relationship - Sustainable Fiscal Transfers for First Nations
AFN's SUBMISSION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
AUGUST 13, 2010
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) appreciates the opportunity to outline First Nations’ priorities for the 2011 Federal Budget. Building on previous pre-budget submissions, which have variously focused on demonstrable need in child and family services, health, housing, water and capital infrastructure, environmental stewardship, economic development, social development and housing, we emphasize that a fundamental transformation of the relationship between First Nations and Canada is required in order to achieve better results for First Nations.
With an understanding that substantial improvement will only occur through a transformation of fiscal transfer arrangements, this submission highlights the following areas as requiring significant and sustained investments – and a marked departure from current federal spending patterns and priorities:
- Transforming the Fiscal Relationship
- First Nations Education
- Community Infrastructure
- Support for First Nations Health and Healing
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The reforms and investments outlined above will not only help the Government to meet its financial and fiduciary obligations, but will also lead to a stronger and more prosperous Canada through the strengthening of healthy, safe and prosperous First Nations. Through strategic investment combined with structural changes, the Government of Canada can maximize outcomes and create the foundation for our collective well-being by:
- Transforming the fiscal relationship by creating stable and fair funding transfer mechanisms for First Nation services confirming guaranteed funding escalators to reflect the actual costs of population and inflation growth.
- Resolving the growing deficit in spending on First Nations education through a legislated guaranteed fiscal framework that supports First Nation systems in delivering excellence in education within a culturally and linguistically appropriate approach to dramatically improve graduation rates and opportunity.
- Investing in infrastructure in First Nation communities, including 40 new schools, 85,000 housing units, facilities that address the drinking water advisories in 114 communities, and all-weather access roads.
- Ensuring the sustainability of the NIHB Program by addressing the expected shortfall of approximately $200 million next year and $629 million overall in five years.
- Providing funding of $125 million over 3 years to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) as an integral part of a First Nations healing strategy