(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde released this statement today following the release of the Government of Canada’s Fall Economic Statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland:
“Canada’s Fall Economic Statement signals a strong plan for post-pandemic recovery and increased supports for First Nations. Today’s fiscal outlook shows that while we still have a long path to a full recovery, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland has taken important economic decisions to ensure that the lives of First Nations are not going to be impacted long-term.”
“The significant investment in implementing the Calls to Justice from the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls are the highlight for First Nations. The steps on infrastructure will help with the economic recovery for First Nations across the country and ensure that we move closer towards closing the infrastructure gap.
I’m also excited to see the construction of a mercury treatment centre for Asubpeeschoseewagong and Wabaseemoong First Nations, which is essential to addressing the crisis brought on from mercury poisoning in those communities. I look forward to further investments in First Nations’ priorities in the 2020/21 federal budget.”
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
For more information please contact:
Karen Joyner
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (cell)
[email protected]