News

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Saskatchewan government said it had faith in the new administration and governance of First Nations University. It committed $5 million to keep FNUC open in an agreement with the University of Regina.

The minister said he pulled the funding from FNUC because the province did it first.

Will the minister again follow Saskatchewan's lead and commit to keeping the university open by providing full federal funding to this agreement, or is the Conservative promise to first nations education just another hollow promise?

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the dire situation for First Nations University of Canada.

At the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, I was able to propose the following motion:

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations voted yesterday to turn financial control of First Nations University over to the University of Regina.

Will the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development agree now that he should reinstate funding to the university, or will he let a great institution die, just when the Speech from the Throne says that education is a priority?

University's lack of action led to decision, Strahl says

By: Angela Hall, Joe Couture and Jason Warick, Saskatchewan News Network

First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) suffered a major blow Monday as the federal government pulled $7.3 million in funding, despite an effort by First Nations leaders to make long-promised governance changes at the post-secondary institution.

With the withdrawal last week of provincial cash, the university has now lost $12.5 million -- more than half of its annual funding.

Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said in a statement his department has worked with the university to help it address "long-standing, systemic problems related to governance and financial management of the institution," but the institution delayed taking action.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I have another couple of education questions.

I understand that the audit division has completed an audit of the K-to-12 programs. Do you know when the committee will have access to that report?

A voice: An audit or an evaluation?

Ms. Jean Crowder: I had it as an audit, but it could be an evaluation.

Mr. Michael Wernick: No, I don't know off the top of my head.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Could you let us know on that?

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, why is the government riding roughshod over first nations when it comes to education?

Recently, first nations learned that INAC was considering five options for post-secondary student support funding, including removing all first nations control over funding and putting it under direct government control. Worse still, first nations did not hear it from the minister but from the website of the U.S. company commissioned to write the recommendations.

By: Lexi Bainas

A special concert March 28 at the New Life Community Baptist Church in Duncan -- the fourth annual in the My Brother's Keeper series --will raise funds for a residential resource centre for young Valley parents and their children. Funds collected this year will go to Serenity Child and Parent Society, a program to assist parents and their children who are at risk of being homeless and/or separated.

Social Planning Cowichan, Success by Six, Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder, Cowichan-Ladysmith MLA Doug Routley and Cairnsmore Neighborhood Action Plan are all backing the group's aims for a centre.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the amendments that have been proposed for the budget implementation act. I am going to be dealing specifically with clause 362, which has to do with the student loan amendments, and clause 394, which has to do with pay equity.

With regard to student loans, I want to talk specifically about the requirements for additional documentation. This section of the bill deals with the fact that anybody who receives Canada student loans will be required to provide additional documents to the minister upon request. It creates a host of new penalities for false statements or omissions and also appears to permit the minister to retroactively punish students for making a false statement or omission in their application for Canada student loans.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in the House to oppose Bill C-50, the budget implementation bill.

I can assure members and the people of Nanaimo-Cowichan that I will actually be in my seat and will vote in the House when Bill C-50 comes before the House. Not only will I speak in opposition to the bill, but I will actually vote in opposition to the bill, unlike some members of the Liberal Party.