Canada's federal government is increasing funding for higher education, community infrastructure and Indigenous health in an effort to quell criticism over its handling of serious problems that continue to plague the country's First Nations and Inuit communities.

This year's budget adds an additional $3.4 billion (22.8 billion Norwegian kroner) over five years for regions with “critical needs”, in addition to the $8.4 billion (56.3 billion kroner) promised in 2016.

– We have made significant investments, which we believe will make a difference, said Finance Minister Bill Morneau

CBC.

Truth and Reconciliation

The budget was tabled Wednesday by the finance minister and the grants will bring the federal government's total investment in First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities to $11.8 billion over six years – an unprecedented investment for one of the nation's youngest and fastest growing populations in Canada.

The new funding is part of the government's efforts to address the 94 action points of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – a panel investigating how Canada mistreated First Nations by removing them from communities and forcing them into boarding schools, where many of them were adversely affected. harassment, write

National Observer.

This also causes many people to lose their cultural identity.

The Islamic boarding school system was established in the 19th century and lasted until the 1990s before being abolished.

– Promise a lot, but don't keep it

Trudeau and his Liberal Party have been criticized because, when in opposition, they promised to implement all 94 of the commission's recommendations, but now in government they have begun to renege on some of those promises.

One of the promises is to be more open about how government policies and decisions can affect indigenous peoples' rights and treaties.

The government responded that there was a very striking difference between the prohibition carried out by the previous government and what was carried out by the new government. The previous government limited its spending to two percent of the budget.

“We know that a strong partnership between the federal government and Indigenous peoples is critical to our success,” Morneau said in the House of Commons after presenting his budget on Wednesday.

– Together we will build stronger, more resilient communities and renew our nation's relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis, he promised.

The government's proposed budget has not yet been approved by parliament.