Mi`kmaq Chiefs Take Social Decision to the Supreme Court

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 25, 2015
Mi’kmaq Chiefs are taking the Social Decision to the Supreme Court
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs are joining Chiefs in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to
request leave to appeal the Federal Court’s decision that allows Canada to proceed with drastic cuts to social
assistance rates for First Nations recipients. The Chiefs are also seeking a stay of the Federal Court of Appeal’s
decision.
The Federal Court of Appeal recently overturned an earlier decision that found the Government of Canada did not
consult First Nations before deciding to cut social assistance funding, despite knowing the impacts that their
decision would have on Mi’kmaq individuals, families, and communities. The Government of Canada appealed the
court’s earlier decision to the Federal Court of Appeal.
The Chiefs dispute claims, made by the Government of Canada, that the cut to social assistance rates will create
equality between First Nations recipients and their non-Native counterparts by aligning rates with provincial rates.
In fact, through the changes, Canada intended to discontinue important shelter and utility subsidies on reserve that
people in the provinces will still be eligible to receive.
The changes also represent a significant backtracking by the government on decades of federal policies recognizing
that First Nations should have a role in tailoring social assistance standards to meet specific community needs and
that the government and First Nations must work in partnership in addressing social assistance issues on reserve.
This case raises broad issues about accountability by the federal government to First Nations regarding services
and programs on reserve.
“Mi’kmaq community members who are on social assistance are surviving on very little money, said Chief Leroy
Denny, Lead Chief of the Social Portfolio for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs. “How can there be
equality when non-Native social recipients have access to government programs to help them when our people do
not?”
Although there are a variety of provincial and federal programs available to non-Native social assistance recipients,
First Nations recipients are prevented from accessing programs, such as training, child care, transportation and
maternal health programs, for example. Current funding from the federal government also does not allow the
Mi’kmaq Bands to create their own equivalent programs.
“We are constantly looking at ways to create opportunities and employment for our community members. These
changes will not help our people but rather put them further back. Starving our people will not create a better life.”
continued Chief Denny.
The Kwilmu’kw Maw- klusuaqn Negotiation Office/Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative works on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaq Chiefs in the negotiations and consultations between the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia, the Province of Nova Scotia and the
Government of Canada. KMKNO was developed by the Mi'kmaq, for the Mi'kmaq. The purpose of these negotiations and
consultations is to implement our Aboriginal and Treaty rights from the Treaties signed by our ancestors in the 1700's. For further
information visit our website at www.mikmaqrights.com
For more information contact:
Crystal Dorey, Communications Officer
Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative
Phone: (902) 843-3880
Cell: (902) 957-0549
E-mail: [email protected]
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