THUNDER BAY – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) have joined with other First Nation organizations across Ontario in opposing proposed changes to social assistance programs outlined in the Government of Ontario’s 2012 budget. NAN says that move will have devastating impacts on impoverished First Nations.
“Ontario’s social assistance system already fails to meet the needs of First Nations and it is shameful that this government is proposing cuts that will only further impoverish and endanger the health and well-being of our people,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose.
Waboose is demanding that the cuts be eliminated in a strongly worded letter sent to Premier Dalton McGuinty yesterday.
“NAN First Nations do not have the resources to absorb the impacts from any reduction in social assistance and these proposed cuts will only lead to great hardship in northern and remote communities.”