Provincial budget provides funding relief

Targeted funding for programs and initiatives that benefit First Nations and Métis received a 6.2 per cent budget increase in the 2013-14 Saskatchewan budget.  The Ministry of Economy is to receive a $3.1-million increase to $29.8 million, which represents an 11.8 per-cent increase in funding for First Nations and Métis initiatives and institutions, including $1.5 million to help eliminate Adult Basic Education waiting lists; $1.5 million to accelerate essential skills training and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies’ Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Training program is to receive $150,000. “The overall spending lift for First Nation and Métis files is higher than the overall lift of the budget, and I think it speaks to the importance of First Nation and Métis people to this government and our commitment to making opportunities available for them to be engaged in the economy,” said Jim Reiter, minister responsible for First Nation, Métis and Northern Affairs