National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Federal cuts threaten justice for Indigenous Peoples
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30, we remember that the harm caused by residential schools is still felt by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. The trauma endures –and so should our resolve in seeking justice and dignity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The true promise of reconciliation is not only healing from the past, but delivering equitable access to housing, health care, education, and safe workplaces for all Indigenous Peoples. Only then will Canada fulfill its commitment to justice and dignity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Harmful cuts to Indigenous services
The federal government’s looming budget cuts threaten any progress towards reconciliation. Prime Minister Carney’s plan to reduce federal department budgets by up to 15% over three years will hit Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) especially hard, leading to billions in cuts and further shrinking its capacity to deliver essential programs and services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The loss of funding to Jordan’s Principle and the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program is already forcing painful trade-offs. Children with complex needs are losing teaching assistants in classrooms. Speech therapy, counselling, and specialized health care are harder to access. Parents have been left scrambling to find basic care while trying to keep their children safe and supported.
The damage goes beyond individual families. In many northern and remote communities, every lost job means slower emergency response, longer waits for medical attention, and fewer safe places for youth to learn and thrive. These cuts undo years of hard-fought progress – progress that was beginning to close the gap for many Indigenous students and families.
Without urgent action, inequalities facing Indigenous communities will only deepen. This is not just about cutting costs. It’s about health, opportunity, and equality for generations to come.
Engage in local and national events
This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and beyond, PSAC encourages you to learn more about the importance of well-funded public services in Indigenous communities, speak out against harmful cuts, and let your Member of Parliament know that equitable and high-quality public services for Indigenous communities must be a national priority.
In a letter to Minister Mandy Gull-Masty at Indigenous Services Canada, PSAC has called on the government to reverse its planned cuts to essential Indigenous services and support ongoing investments in Indigenous-led programs – because without these, there can be no path to reconciliation.
This article was first published on the PSAC website.
