Sask. premier pledges 'resources' for residential school burial site search but no funding 'at this point'
In the wake of Ontario's pledge to provide $10 million to help identify and commemorate unmarked residential school burial sites, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe promised resources to help search for the sites but stopped short of committing funding.
The work of locating the unidentified burial sites has taken on increased urgency following the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops.
During a virtual news conference following the annual Western Premier's Meeting, Moe was the first to respond to a general question put to leaders about whether similar funding plans were in the works in their respective jurisdictions.
"It's entirely likely that we'll have, maybe not to the degree, but a similar situation with some unmarked sites with remains here in this province and so we've been working very closely with our Indigenous communities, with our provincial Indigenous representative organization the FSIN," Moe said.
"We have not committed to any financial funding at this point."
Moe said his government views its role as "one of support."
"We have committed to providing resources that may be required to ensure that we are able to conduct the work that needs to be conducted in our province to work alongside and support our Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations that will be the lead on this work."
During the news conference, Alberta Premier Jason Kenny said a "multi-million dollar" package was in the way in his province.
The traditional joint communique issued by the leaders following the meeting began by referencing the discovery in Kamloops.
"The confirmation of remains at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation is a reminder that multi-generational trauma stemming from residential schools is not in the past: it continues to affect Indigenous peoples today," the statement said.
The communique issued by the leaders of Canada's four western provinces and three territories focused on a call for increased health care funding from the federal government and the post-pandemic economic recovery.
In the joint statement, the leaders again called on the federal government to increase its share of health care spending to 35 per cent through the Canada Health Transfer CHT.
"Six months ago, in December 2020, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the federal government needs to increase its share of health funding through the CHT," the statement said.
"He committed to have conversations about this with premiers – the time for those conversations is now."
The group of provincial and territorial leaders also said there is a need for "greater market access for Canadian goods, services, and resources, including energy products, and the crucial role that the energy sector will play in economic recovery."
Less than a week after the beleaguered Keystone XL pipeline expansion was officially cancelled, the leaders "agreed on the urgency of getting major energy infrastructure, transmission projects, and other infrastructure projects completed in a timely fashion."
In the statement, the leaders recognized federal spending on infrastructure projects while encouraging "continued collaboration and partnerships to address longstanding infrastructure gaps."
The communique also said "it will be important to ensure that the benefits of, and participation in, economic recovery are broadly shared, in particular by Indigenous people."
The leaders called for "streamlined approval processes"and "simplified administration and reporting" for provinces.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.