Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples report calls on federal government to remove decade old cap on First Nations post-secondary funding

    TORONTO, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - "No Higher Priority - Aboriginal Post-Secondary
Education in Canada" is the title of an important report tabled in Parliament
this week by the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and Northern
Development. The report recommends the immediate removal of the 2% cap on
Aboriginal post-secondary education spending which has been in place since
1996.
    "Federal post-secondary support has not kept pace with inflation,
population increases, or provincial spending for post-secondary education"
stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. He further added that "the
recommendation by the Standing Committee to remove this discretionary cap is
the most significant measure which the federal government can implement to
ensure more First Nations people have the opportunity to access post-secondary
education."
    "No Higher Priority" also calls upon provincial governments to address
accreditation and funding challenges facing First Nations controlled
post-secondary institutions. The Regional Chief pointed out that First Nations
controlled post-secondary institutions in Ontario have proven to be more
effective for First Nations students than mainstream colleges and
universities. "It is time to ensure that First Nations controlled post
secondary institutions are able to take their proper place alongside
provincially recognized colleges and universities as equal partners" states
Regional Chief Toulouse.
    Regional Chief Toulouse identified the ongoing jurisdictional disputes
between the federal and provincial governments' is a detriment to addressing
the issues, as neither level of government accepts responsibility for the
issue of First Nations post-secondary institutions. The Regional Chief further
noted that the recommendations and proposals contained within the report
provide a reasonable foundation for addressing the gaps which exist in First
Nations post-secondary education. "I want to express my appreciation to the
members of the Standing Committee for this report and for encouraging all
parties in the House to work cooperatively and expeditiously to ensure the
implementation of the proposals and recommendations."

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