N.B. Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs puts pressure on premier

The Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs in New Brunswick wants the new Liberal government to reverse a decision to end a long-standing financial agreement and they’ve extended an invitation to the premier for a visit of their communities.

The deal allocates funding and determines tax rebates to First Nations. Earlier this year, the former Alward government said it distributed resources unevenly among First Nations.

The agreement was set to end last week, but Premier Brian Gallant has extended the deadline for cancelling the deal to May 1.

He says that will give his government time to study the issue.

Gallant and Aboriginal Affairs minister Ed Doherty met the Assembly chiefs Tuesday.

Eel River Bar Chief Lynn Labillois says the extension is welcome news, but the uncertainty of whether the funds will continue makes planning budgets for the next fiscal year nearly impossible.

Labillois says without the funds, their communities will shut down and that is unacceptable.

Other concerns the First Nations leaders expressed included lack of consultation and plans for revenue sharing.

Invitation to tour communities extended

The day before the meeting, the chiefs invited Gallant to personally tour each of their communities.

Mi’kmaq co-chair Chief George Ginnish said they want Gallant to better understand the dire conditions many First Nations people live with on reserve and the immense challenges band councils must contend with.

Ginnish said in order for Gallant to truly appreciate how his decision will impact on their lives, he needs to see life on reserve first hand.

The chiefs pointed out Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne conducted a similar tour of rural Ontario reserves in September and stayed on reserve as a guest in the homes of community members.

The premier was non-committal when presented with the invitation, but the chiefs say the offer still stands.