Aboriginal Policy

An Avalanche of Money: The Federal Government’s Policies Toward First Nations

— Nov 19, 2024

An Avalanche of Money: The Federal Government’s Policies Toward First Nations finds that while federal spending on Indigenous affairs has almost tripled since 2015, the uptick in Indigenous living standards is due primarily to the Canada Child Benefit, an unrelated federal program for families with children.

The Next Generation: Innovating to Improve Indigenous Access to Finance in Canada

— Dec 5, 2023

The Next Generation: Innovating to Improve Indigenous Access to Finance in Canada is a new study that finds a well-functioning Indigenous financial system is essential to promoting investment and economic development and raising living standards in Indigenous communities.

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From Reconciliation to Reparations: Exploiting a Noble Idea

— May 26, 2023

From Reconciliation to Reparations: Exploiting a Noble Idea is a new study that documents how the current judicially driven approach of the federal justice department to negotiate financial compensation with First Nations to settle lawsuits—instead of litigation—means elected representatives have no meaningful oversight of the large sums of money being paid out. And contrary to Canadian legal tradition, individual claims of mistreatment are not merely leading to compensation, but are being used to overturn core government policies enacted by previous Parliaments.

Recent Aboriginal Policy Commentaries and Blog Posts

Ottawa’s avalanche of spending hasn’t helped First Nations

Tom Flanagan

Appeared in the Western Standard, November 19, 2024

First Nations who rely less on government transfers tend to achieve higher living standards.

Yes, B.C.’s Land Act changes give First Nations veto over use of Crown Land

Bruce Pardy

Appeared in the Epoch Times, February 21, 2024

The government's documentation describes “shared decision-making through joint or consent models.”

B.C. government wants to quickly make major changes to Land Act

Tom Flanagan

Appeared in the Western Standard, February 21, 2024

Only 18 per cent of poll respondents support a First Nations veto over land use in the province.

No evidence of ‘mass graves’ or ‘genocide’ in residential schools

Tom Flanagan

Many parents saw residential schools as the best option available for their children.

B.C. government’s land use plan would severely damage province’s investment climate

Niels Veldhuis, Jason Clemens

Appeared in the Financial Post, February 8, 2024

The province would essentially become un-investable in many industries that do business on Crown lands or water.

B.C. plans to 'reconcile' by giving First Nations veto on land use

Bruce Pardy

Appeared in the National Post, February 1, 2024

First Nations would have veto power over mining, hydro projects, communication towers and much more.