Quote:
Originally Posted by Tron_fdc
^^^^
... As one of the biggest expenses that the Canadian Government has, all these expenditures to FN should be HEAVILY scrutinized. ...
In my mind that doesn't make me a racist. It makes me a realist.
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The numbers:
Quote:
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In terms of fiscal investments, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada and numerous other government departments and agencies are now spending more than $10 billion each year to fund programs directed to Aboriginal people living on and off reserve.
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Source:
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
That compares to $20 billion each year to National Defence, $28.5 billion for health transfers to the provinces, $29 billion for interest costs, 30.5 billion for old age security, and 26 billion for fiscal equalization and social transfer payments (obviously there is some overlap here in that some of this money is included in the $10 billion dollar figured cited above.) So, although spending directed to Aborignal people in Canada is certainly a significant government expense, I'm not sure I would characterize it as "one of the biggest".