Deadline for emergency benefit application will leave many First Nations behind
On June 21, 2026, MP Gazan issued the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
NDP calls on the government to do more for off-reserve Indigenous peoples
NDP calls on the government to do more for off-reserve Indigenous peoples
TREATY 1 TERRITORY, WINNIPEG - Today, NDP MPs Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Niki Ashton (Churchill--Keewatinook Aski) called on the federal government to do more to keep First Nations people living in urban centres safe amid COVID-19. Existing funding is not enough given the need - and the imposition of an arbitrary application deadline puts lives at risk.
“Indigenous peoples comprise 3% of the Canadian population,” said Gazan. “Yet they receive less than 1% of the funding allocated for COVID-19. This is unacceptable, especially because the federal government has identified Indigenous peoples at greater risk due to long-standing underfunding for essential services.”
“In this time of crisis, the government must ensure that everyone is getting the help they need, including off-reserve Indigenous peoples,” said Ashton. “ Imposing a deadline puts lives at stake. We call on the Minister to increase the funding and waive the deadline.”
A letter was sent to Minister Miller sharing their concerns which can be viewed here.
Contact:
Claire Johnston
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On June 16, 2026, NDP Indigenous Affairs Critic Leah Gazan issued the following statement on Bill C-37: