PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release June 18, 2013

Atlantic Chiefs Headed To Court

The Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick are continuing the fight against the

implementation of changes to the Social Assistance program on-reserve. Since early 2012, the Assembly

has worked alongside Chiefs from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to reject proposed changes to

the on-reserve social assistance program, presented by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Canada.

Aboriginal opposition stemmed from the substantial financial impacts and changes to eligibility

requirements which would be the result of this new policy. Changes, introduced by the federal

government, failed to recognize the impact on the budget of Mi’kmag and Wolastoqiyik families on

assistance, as well as the significant implications for overall community budgets.

“Our communities aren’t ready for these changes,” said Eel Ground First Nation Chief George Ginnish,

Mi’kmag co-Chair of the Assembly. “Implementation would be immediate, and would have major

impacts on an already vulnerable segment of our population.”

The Assembly continues to express that before any changes are made further work needs to be undertaken

on what resources are available, the consequences of introducing change of this order would be to the

people and most importantly, what a Mi’kmag and Wolastoqiyik driven social support system could look

like.

The hearing for the main court case will be heard starting at 9:30 am tomorrow, Wednesday, June 19 and

continuing on Thursday, June 20 in Halifax in the Federal Court at 1815 Upper Water Street.

The Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick is a rights based organization mandated to

protect and advance the implementation of existing Aboriginal and Treaty Rights for its members

First Nations.

-30-