Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - December 4 2024 - The Canadian government is likely owing Indigenous people nearly $76 billion for currently filed land claims and lawsuits, a sum nearly seven times greater today than when Justin Trudeau became prime minister.

In 2015, Ottawa counted $11 billion in "contingent liabilities," which are potential legal obligations recorded only in cases where the probability of future payment is considered "likely."

This year's fall economic statement showed the vast majority of these liabilities — 95% — stem from Indigenous claims against the Crown. This is a spike the non-partisan parliamentary budget officer, who provides lawmakers with spending analysis, calls disconcerting.

From the Liberal government's perspective, the increase means progress, as they have been consistent in ensuring that past harms are resolved.

However, the NDP's Indigenous Services critic disagrees, stating that Canada is still implementing its genocidal policies and that Indigenous Peoples are not putting up with it anymore.

The scope of Canada's legal struggles with Indigenous people is revealed further in the public accounts and government statistics provided to CBC Indigenous.