Ottawa – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde said that the 2015 federal budget fails to deliver on investments needed to improve the lives of First Nations, and instead maintains the status quo that leaves First Nations people lagging behind the rest of Canada in every basic indicator of social and economic well-being.

“First Nations people are treated like second class citizens living in third world conditions,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “Today’s federal budget is a missed opportunity for First Nations and all Canadians to develop a comprehensive approach. We do not see any significant investments or a plan to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and Canadians. The cost of First Nations poverty is too high and everyone is paying for it when we should be investing in our shared future.”

2015’s federal budget is one of the weakest for First Nations tabled by this government, setting out some minimal renewals, most at a reduced level of funding. The National Chief noted that many Canadians are not aware that the federal government has the same responsibilities to deliver essential services to First Nations that Canadians expect from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

“We need significant investments in social and economic development to address the unacceptable gap in living standards between First Nations and Canadians,” said National Chief Bel ...