Fighting First Nations in court a poor strategy

[CDNBear]

Fighting First Nations in court a poor strategy

By Doug Cuthand, The Starphoenix

Newly released public accounts figures reveal that the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs was by far the top spender on legal fees as it continues to battle First Nations' rights.

The department spent $106 million on legal services in 2012-13, slightly less than the $110 million it spent the year before. The legal costs for the Canada Revenue Agency were second at $66 million, followed by Canada prosecution services and the RCMP at $37 million and $21 million respectively.

So, the government spends more money on legal costs to fight First Nations in court and to challenge land claims and treaty issues than it spends on chasing tax cheats and on legal services to help the Mounties fight crime.

First Nations have racked up an impressive list of court victories over the past two decades, based on treaties, the charter of rights and the Constitution. Several First Nations have successfully established the principle of the Crown's duty to consult with First Nations, and the Delgamuukw decision established aboriginal title in British Columbia. In addition, there have been numerous cases that established First Nations' hunting, fishing and gathering rights.

Aboriginal child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock has the government on the ropes for its parsimonious funding of First Nations child and family services. If her court challenge succeeds, Ottawa will have to pay millions to catch up and achieve parity with provincial programs....

 

[petros]

Doug was close but Municpal and Provincial buck up into the other services mentioned. It just goes to show how cheap the Feds are when it comes to so called national police, courts and corrections.

 

[Dixie Cup]

I am so sick and tired of this. That $106 million could have easily assisted many first Nations' issues in housing, education and health.care. What a friggin' waste of our tax dollar. Governments across the board are responsible for this stupidity. Makes me mad.

Having said that, there are those in the First Nations that also need a hand slapping because of their waste of funding as well, but the above-mentioned really takes the cake!!

JMHO

 

[Cliffy]

I know that the government has spent millions in court to keep the Sinixt people extinct. The government has accepted that the Sinixt do exist as a distinct tribal entity but refuse to acknowledge their rights as Canadian aboriginals in spite of the overwhelming evidence of their claim to having lived in this area for thousands of years. The government has gone as far as giving land in Sinixt territory to the Okanagan and Ktunaxa nations.

It is beyond comprehension why the government is continuing this genocidal policy.