Vancouver, BC – The leadership of the First Nations Summit is challenging Geoff Plant on his recent announcement to the Vancouver Board of Trade that BC is increasing the 2004 Treaty Negotiation Office budget by $2.1 million. The Summit views this increase as nothing more than a ploy to gain political points with the business community.
“We are very disappointed that the provincial government is using the treaty budget for political gain”, said Chief Doug Kelly, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. “What the Minister forgot to mention is that the Province has systematically reduced their treaty negotiations budget by nearly 46% over the past two years.”
“Even with a $2.1 million “increase” to this year’s budget, there is still a shortfall of approximately $23 million from the 2002/03 provincial treaty budget”, added Chief Kelly. “First Nations clearly see this as a lack of commitment on the part of BC to provide adequate financial resources to effectively negotiate at all treaty tables.”