OTTAWA, ONTARIO (September 14, 2012) - The following statement was released by the Honourable John Duncan , Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, regarding coverage in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix related to First Nation elementary and secondary education:
"Your editorial regarding federal funding for First Nation education failed to include a number of key facts, leaving your readers with a distorted view of the concrete steps taken by our government to improve education outcomes for First Nation students.
For instance, your editorial refers to the $275 million our Economic Action Plan committed for the construction or repair of on-reserve schools and for literacy and numeracy programming. What it fails to note is that this is new funding, in addition to the approximately $1.7 billion our government spends annually on elementary and secondary education services and infrastructure for Canada's approximately 117,500 First Nation students.
In Saskatchewan, our government's total expenditure per First Nation student in 2010-2011 was $14,243, [Note 1] far exceeding the $6,400 your editorial cites [Note 2]. But it's also more than just the money. Solutions to the education challenges depend on better outcomes and results.
Since 2006, the Harper government has provided funding towards the construction of 33 new schools and carried out major renovations to 26 more across Canada. Earlier this summer, we announced the construction of two new schools using Economic Action Plan 2012 funds. In the coming weeks we will be announcing our plan for the remainder of the new funding committed to First Nation education in the budget.
But money is not the only factor in improving on-reserve education. That's why we have signed a partnership agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Tribal Council that is contributing to the development of initiatives to improve student retention and educational outcomes for over 1,000 students in seven band-operated schools and the more than 10,000 First Nation students who attend provincial schools.
In addition, our government has committed to implementing a First Nation Education Act by 2014. The legislation will establish the structures and standards required to support strong, accountable education systems on reserves across the country. We have also committed to exploring mechanisms which would ensure stable, predictable and sustainable funding for First Nation elementary and secondary education.
Our government is proud of the concrete actions we have taken to improve education for Saskatchewan's First Nations students. We will continue to work with the provincial government and First Nation leadership to ensure that Saskatchewan's First Nation students get the education they need to pursue the same successes and opportunities as all Canadian students."
Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
