Letter to Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

The National Claims Research Directors – NCRD is a national body of specialized technicians who manage thirty-five Claims Research Units (CRUs) mandated to research and develop specific claims against the federal government. Collectively we have developed and advanced over 1500 claims. We repeat our calls for the immediate restoration of stable research funding to pre-cut levels. Failing to restore funding is widely viewed as a continuation of Harper-era dishonourable actions that utterly contradicts principles of reconciliation.

You have repeatedly issued empty reassurances about the importance of Indigenous-Crown relations while simultaneously impoverishing the current process: lack of resources is preventing Canada from meeting legislated timelines for claims review, denying First Nations access to the Specific Claims Tribunal, and jeopardizing negotiations. They also undermine your government’s commitment to claims resolution and your commitments to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, where Indigenous peoples right to access justice for historical losses is paramount.

We request now that you respond to our letter immediately, explaining your government’s current allocation of funds and indicating how this drastic underfunding of specific claims research will be addressed.