November 23, 2005

Ottawa to unveil $4B for native school abuse

CANADA
CTV

Canadian Press

OTTAWA — The federal government is set to compensate thousands of people who suffered abuse and cultural isolation in native residential schools.

Sources say the price tag could top $4 billion for a deal that would see Ottawa offer lump-sum payments to about 86,000 surviving students or descendants of those who have died.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan is expected to join native leaders for a news conference today.

It's the latest in a whopping list of Liberal funding announcements as MPs prepare to hit the election campaign trail next week.

And it's in addition to at least $4 billion to be committed to fight aboriginal poverty when the prime minister attends a first ministers summit later this week in Kelowna, B.C.

Posted by kshaw at November 23, 2005 07:50 AM