Kahnawake Considers Road Tolls Amid Federal Budget Cuts

The Kahnawake Mohawk Council is contemplating the imposition of tolls on roads traversing its territory as a direct response to impending federal budget reductions. This measure aims to offset the financial impact on the community.

Community Faces Financial Strain

Grand Chief Cody Diabo informed reporters that these tolls could serve as a crucial compensatory mechanism following cuts to Aboriginal Canada’s budget. The proposed tolls would target the primary highways within Kahnawake, which see an estimated 120,000 vehicles daily.

Federal ministers are facing a directive to implement savings of 7.5% in the upcoming spring, with these reductions escalating to 15% by the 2028-2029 fiscal year.

Opposition to Federal Policies

Diabo highlighted that the announcement of these fiscal restraints coincides with indigenous opposition to the Canadian Economy Unity Act. This legislation grants Ottawa the authority to expedite projects deemed to be of national interest.

The Kahnawake Mohawk Council is urging the Liberal government to retract these budgetary compressions. The council asserts that such cuts risk jeopardizing vital programs in health, education, and infrastructure.

The impact of federal austerity measures on indigenous communities is a growing concern. For instance, in the United States, the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget has faced scrutiny, with advocates arguing that proposed cuts could severely impact essential services for Native American tribes. As of 2023, the BIA’s budget request was $3.4 billion, a figure many felt was insufficient to meet the needs of over 570 federally recognized tribes (BIA Budget Justification FY2023).