Aboriginal women forgotten in budget

NEWS RELEASE

NATIVE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

************************* Economic action plan shows no action plan for Aboriginal women

OTTAWA, ON - (January 27) - There is a huge void in today’s budget announcement by the Conservative government.

The financial package offered no specifics on addressing the needs of Canada’s most marginalized members of society, Aboriginal women.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) President Beverley Jacobs is disappointed that Aboriginal women were not specifically mentioned in the $1.5 billion dollars allocated to Aboriginal Peoples.

President Jacobs says: “While any financial boost for Aboriginal peoples is welcomed news, we needed to hear Aboriginal women specifically mentioned as part of the stimulus plan. Instead, we heard only general comment about Aboriginal issues such as social housing on reserves, Aboriginal skills and training, child and family services.”

President Jacobs adds: “We have to assume that this budget applies to Aboriginal women however, we’re faced with the enormous task of negotiating with the various government departments to ensure Aboriginal women’s challenges are not forgotten. Unfortunately, we have a lot of work to do in a short period of time.”

There were early indications the budget was going to reflect society and offer protection for the most vulnerable, but President Jacobs says: “I’m not so sure this budget passes the litmus test!”

Still, NWAC is prepared to take the budget and work hard on behalf of Aboriginal women and their families to secure adequate funding in key areas such as child care, housing and shelters on and off reserve, skills training and employment.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is an aggregate of 13 Native women’s organizations and is the national voice of Aboriginal women in Canada.

*************************