The impact of the 2013 Federal Budget

The 2013 federal budget unveiled March 21 by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty contained little in response to ongoing calls for a national inquiry into the large number of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Collection of perspectives and media coverage of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

The Harper government did dedicate a page in its budget document on the issue of violence against Aboriginal women, but it was focused on promoting what the government has already done on the issue not what it intends to do moving forward.

The budget sets aside $24 million over the next two years to continue funding the Family Violence Prevention Program, which funds shelter services and violence prevention programs on-reserve. The federal government had set aside $12 million in the 2012 budget for the program and the new money simply keeps the funding at the same level.

Also announced...

$7 billion over ten years for First Nations infrastructure.

$241 million over five years for on-reserve Income Assistance.

Most of the money will be directed towards infrastructure and compliance while $109 million will go towards skills development for people on welfare. However there is a catch.

The new money will only be available to First Nations that require their young residents who are receiving assistance, to be taking part in training programs.

$52 million over two years to enhance health services for First Nations and Inuit, including mental health services.

$71 million over two years for supplementary policing services, Aboriginal Justice Strategy and the Family Violence Prevention Program.

$10 million over two years to Indspire for post-secondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students.

$3 million has also been targeted specifically  to crack down on "contraband" tobacco

More to come...