Mr. Speaker, since 2012, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, British Columbia and Canada have worked together on the British Columbia Tripartite Education Agreement to promote successful education outcomes for first nations learners.
The petitioners note that education is a fundamental human right, and the BCTEA is the primary source of funding for first nations students of schools based on the public education system in British Columbia. It was expected that renewed funding commitments would be confirmed in the spring economic update, as the agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2026. Canada instead confirmed that the funding for the proposed renewed BCTEA was not secured and that the status quo funding was confirmed for only a one-year extension.
Therefore, the petitioners in Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford call upon the government to approve the proposed renewed BCTEA and associated funding commitments for a 10-year term in the fall budget to ensure that the education of first nations students is not needlessly disrupted.