Our Children Our Future Our Vision - People for Education

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Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision • The integration of technology in schools • The provision of a school library • Extracurricular sports and recreation activities • The implementation of provincial education reforms (as federal policy requires First Nations to adhere to provincial curriculum) • Culturally relevant curriculum that includes language and culture • First Nations language teachers The BOFF is the national formula that determines the funding allocated to each band through the INAC regional offices. This allocation is used to provide base funding to First Nation schools onreserve. The national BOFF has not been updated since 1996-97 at which time it was capped at an annual 2% increase. This means the formula has not been indexed for rises in the cost of living and teachers’ salaries. The 2% cap also limits the ability to support changes in program needs. In comparison the Minister of Education in Ontario recently announced “Funding has increased by more than $6.6 billion under this [Liberal] government, or 46% since 2003”. 157 This means the funding gap between First Nations education and the provincial education system is widening over time. The unprecedented increase in funding support to the provincially funded system has also created an unexpected financial burden for First Nation communities that are currently locked into a multi-year agreement. The rise in provincial investment translates to a rise in tuition costs for students attending provincial schools off-reserve. The multi-year agreements are based on nominal role numbers associated with the year prior to signing the agreement and thus do not adequately adjust for increases in enrolment or increases in tuition rates. The First Nations Education Council in Quebec has done extensive work in the analysis of the deficiencies of the federal funding formula for First Nations elementary and secondary education and has developed their own formula based on the reality of needs as expressed by First Nations communities in Quebec. Their studies indicate that the 2% funding cap has generated a cumulative shortfall, between 1996 and 2008, of $1.54 billion across Canada. 158 This funding gap directly equates to the 28 year education attainment gap. With the understanding that funding levels and education attainment are directly related, INAC was requested by the 157 Letter from Ministry of Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky to the partners of the Ministry of Education Partnerships Table (April 6, 2011). 158 First Nation Education Council, “Funding Formula for First Nations Schools: The Instrument of a detrimental policy” (2009), online: [Funding Formula] at 1. 35 Chiefs of Ontario
Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision Auditor General to perform a review comparing the funds it allocates to schools operated by First Nations with the funds those schools would receive under the applicable provincial funding formulas. INAC concluded that per-student funding was similar, with the exception of some regional differences. 159 However, a detailed gap analysis conducted by the Union of Ontario Indians in 2009 indicated that the funding provided to 22 First Nations Band-operated schools yields a shortfall for First Nations of almost $16 million. 160 The BOFF is a stagnant formula that has not been updated since 1996, whereas the provincial formula is much more dynamic and flexible to meet the ever-changing needs of students. 161 INAC attempted to supplement the BOFF by introducing supplementary proposal-based programs. These programs are not based on cost and do not provide stability, permanence, or parity in funding resource levels. Today approximately one third of elementary and secondary funding for First Nation schools is provided in this manner. The introduction of additional proposal-based programs adds a substantial reporting burden to already under-funded First Nations who often lack the capacity to apply for the additional funding. Proposal based funding also adds a significant element of competition among First Nations communities and organizations. Proposal-based programs include: • New Paths for Education Program • Improving School Effectiveness • Teacher Recruitment and Retention • Parental and Community Engagement Strategy • First Nation Student Success Program • Cultural Education Centres Program • Education Partnerships Program These programs were introduced upon the recognition that First Nations were lacking the second and third level supports of an education system and represent a “problem-centred” approach. 162 159 OAG Status Report, 2011, supra note 134 at 4.19. 160 S. Cantin, “F.N. Band Operating on-Reserve Schools: Comparison Between the 2009-10 Financial Agreement with INAC and the Provincial Funding Regulation for School Authorities using 2009 Nominal Roll Enrolment” (2009). This was an internal study completed for the Union of Ontario Indians and not available publically. 161 P, Garrow, “An Assessment of the Ontario Band Operating Funding Formula Comparative Study” (2005) at 14. This is an internal document not available publicly. 162 D. Anderson, “Report on Second Level Services for First Nations Education Current and Future Needs” in Manifesto, supra note 11 at Tab 12, page 4. Chiefs of Ontario 36
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