Indigenous leader troubled by cuts in Ontario budget

Joel Abram says he understands the provincial government's need to balance the books.

But, the Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians is struggling with cuts when it comes to the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs. 

The ministry's budget for upcoming 2019-2020 year has been set at $74.4 million for Indigenous affairs, a reduction of about 15 percent from its base funding last year of $88 million. 

"There are some positives to it and there are some negatives and there are a few things that just don't make any sense," said Abram on CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive.

On the plus side, Abram points to funding for skilled trades. 

"First Nations has the highest growing youth population so, if there's a vacuum in the trades, that's a perfect match for First Nations to help fill some of those voids," he said.  

Indigenous curriculum

One of those things that makes no sense to Abram is cutting the education curriculum around Indigenous history and residential schools. 

"It's already been researched, paid for and it was ready to go and they cancelled that," he said. "I think that's very short-sighted."

But a ministry spokesperson points to a plan in the budget to develop an Indigenous history curriculum for the 2019-2020 school year with an investment of $3.7 million. 

Ripple effect

Abram is also troubled by the loss of a planned increase for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). A 6 per cent hike, which was promised under the previous Liberal government, was cut in half by the Progressive Conservatives shortly after taking office. Abram expects the final 3 per cent hike will also be cut. 

"We were also in line for a basic income pilot project. Now that's out the window too," said Abram. 

Future recipients of ODSP will also face the federal government's definition of what qualifies as a disability, which is a higher threshold. 

In his interview with CBC Radio, Abram also said there will be a ripple effect from budget in other ministries. For example, money for road allowances or housing initiatives often come from other ministries that will also be dealing with smaller budgets. 

Maintaining positivity

Abram said his organizations and other Indigenous groups in Ontario will continue to advocate for the needs of their people. 

That includes maintaining good relations with bureaucrats, who don't often change when a new government takes power.

"I think we can maintain some positivity and try to encourage them to look at things in a different way in terms of investment," said Abram. "But, I do understand, at the end of the day, I understand they have to cut, I just wish they didn't cut First Nations so deeply."