The governments of Ontario and Canada have invested an immediate $10-million in support of First Nations youth health and safety.
It was announced Wednesday afternoon in Ottawa by the Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett along with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and the Ontario Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter that the investment will address immediate needs of NAN students. Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson responded to the investment saying the reality of the matter is communities who are land-locked in the far north are still in huge need of available services.
Bisson says the $10-million will not go a long way to address the needs of these communities considering most First Nations communities currently have nothing in the way of mental health services to offer their youth and elders.
The federal government is investing $4.67-million over the next three years, and a provincial investment of $5.5-million has been made for the 2017/18 school year for NAN students.
(Written By: Nick Birnie)
