The story in Wednesday’s edition is somewhat misleading. Firstly, three out of four aboriginals do not live off-reserve. Secondly, home ownership will not help aboriginals get jobs, counselling or income. The only correct statement in the article was “if you’ve got a home, you’re not homeless.”
At last estimate by the federal government, there are approximately 1.3 million aboriginals in Canada and the federal government allocates over $12 billion per year for aboriginal wellbeing, including on-reserve housing, education, and health services. If the statements in the article were accurate, there would be approximately 325,000 aboriginals benefiting from the federal funds, or $36,923 per person.
Is there fiscal abuse of these funds? You bet, especially with the recent article regarding the salaries and expenses of the various chiefs and counsellors in Manitoba earning upwards of $300,000 per year equivalent (net of taxes as Indians employed on reserves do not pay any taxes).
Education and skill development will help aboriginals get jobs, earn a living and then be in a position to afford decent housing. Yes it is time to abolish the reserve system and move forward, but simply putting natives in housing is not the answer.
Norm Harley, St. Albert
