Harper tells AFN there will be no movement on controversial education plan

OTTAWA — The new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says Prime Minister Stephen Harper personally told him that the Conservative government will not move ahead with its controversial overhaul of aboriginal education.

Perry Bellegarde says he asked Harper on Jan. 28 not to spent the $1.9 billion tied to the original bill on other government programs — but adds that he did not leave his meeting with the prime minister with a “warm, fuzzy” feeling.

The Conservative government’s plan to reform First Nations education has been on hold since chiefs from across Canada rejected it last spring.

The legislation deeply divided the aboriginal community and precipitated the abrupt departure of Shawn Atleo as national chief of the AFN.

Some saw the Conservative bill as a first step — with a substantial dollar amount attached — that could improve the lives of First Nations children.

Others viewed it as the government exerting too much control over aboriginal education.

The Conservatives say their bill will remain on hold and no new money will be spent until the AFN gets behind the legislation.