Overview of Indigenous community infrastructure investments

Total Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) investments in Indigenous infrastructure projects by category, since April 2016.

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Background

There remain significant infrastructure needs in Indigenous communities across Canada. Infrastructure investments support ongoing partnership with Indigenous Peoples and strengthen community-led development.

Since April 2016 and as of March 31, 2026, $19.45 billion of ISC targeted infrastructure funding has been invested toward 14,621 projects that support Indigenous community infrastructure.

Water and wastewater

Working in partnership with First Nations communities to improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure and expand access to clean drinking water is a priority for ISC.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 1,720 water and wastewater-related infrastructure projects:
    • 868 projects completed
    • 852 projects ongoing
  • 596 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $5.83 billion of targeted funds has been invested to support ongoing and completed infrastructure projects related to water and wastewater, including:
    • 169 new water and wastewater treatment plants or lagoons
    • 1,185 renovations and upgrades to existing water and wastewater systems
    • 208 feasibility study and design projects
    • 158 capacity and operator support projects

To learn more about progress made toward ending long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, visit Ending long-term drinking water advisories.

Housing

To address on-reserve housing needs, ISC supports housing projects in First Nations communities including new builds, retrofits and renovations.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 7,635 housing-related infrastructure projects:
    • 3,867 projects completed
    • 3,768 projects ongoing
  • 612 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $4.63 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed housing-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 2,994 capacity development and innovation projects
    • 1,842 new construction projects resulting in 8,971 housing units
    • 1,989 renovation and upgrade projects to 19,085 housing units
    • 643 projects resulting in the servicing or acquisition of 5,486 housing lots
    • 167 projects toward subdivision feasibility studies, design, construction and expansion

Education infrastructure

Investments in education infrastructure in First Nations communities create quality, safe and healthy learning environments that provide positive educational outcomes for students living on reserves.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 353 education infrastructure projects:
    • 247 projects completed
    • 106 projects ongoing
  • 341 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $2.52 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed education infrastructure projects, including:
    • 100 projects resulting in the construction of 84 new schools
    • 206 projects resulting in renovations or upgrades to 152 existing schools
    • 13 supporting projects and initiatives
    • 34 feasibility study and design projects

Health infrastructure

Safe health infrastructure is essential to providing effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate health programs and services.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 729 health infrastructure projects:
    • 538 projects completed
    • 191 projects ongoing
  • 372 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $1.53 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed health-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 118 health facilities projects
    • 38 substance use treatment centre projects
    • 30 other health infrastructure projects
    • 543 Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Centre projects

Energy systems

ISC is working in partnership with First Nations to transition communities from fossil fuel to clean, reliable and affordable energy systems. Investments include alternative energy projects such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind.

The department also supports communities to improve and optimize existing energy systems through upgrades and energy efficiency projects.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 221 energy projects:
    • 156 projects completed
    • 65 projects ongoing
  • 184 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $1.89 billion of targeted funds invested

Connectivity

The Government of Canada is supporting First Nations communities to bridge the digital divide by working with partners to provide access to high-speed internet that meets or exceeds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s universal service objective.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 63 connectivity projects:
    • 42 projects completed
    • 21 projects ongoing
  • 304 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $110.5 million of targeted funds invested

Fire protection on reserves

Fire protection is an essential service that can mean the difference between life and death. The Government of Canada is working with First Nations and provincial, territorial and municipal partners to address fire protection on reserves.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 521 fire protection projects:
    • 300 projects completed
    • 221 projects ongoing
  • 504 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $211.7 million of targeted funds invested

Roads and bridges

ISC is working in partnership with First Nations and other stakeholders to build, repair, upgrade and maintain roads and bridges. These projects create lasting and positive outcomes that reach beyond the roads and allow communities to benefit from further infrastructure projects.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 413 roads and bridges projects:
    • 271 projects completed
    • 142 projects ongoing
  • 262 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $859.6 million of targeted funds invested

Structural mitigation

ISC is working with First Nations to increase the resilience of communities at high risk of impacts associated with climate-related hazards.

Structural mitigation projects include, among others:

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 175 structural mitigation projects:
    • 89 projects completed
    • 86 projects ongoing
  • 284 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $244.3 million of targeted funds invested

Culture and recreation

In First Nations communities, culture and recreation infrastructure can provide an important focal point for community activities.

Cultural and recreational facilities include:

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 285 culture and recreation-related infrastructure projects:
    • 252 projects completed
    • 33 projects ongoing
  • 218 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $171.1 million of targeted funds invested

Band administrative buildings

Band administrative buildings are core community infrastructure, serving as the focal point for community governance, administration, and essential programs and services. ISC is supporting First Nations in addressing long-standing needs related to band administrative buildings on reserves, including band offices, band council and administrative buildings.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 40 band administrative building projects:
    • 23 projects completed
    • 17 projects ongoing
  • 38 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $61.3 million of targeted funds invested

Other community initiatives

ISC is investing in First Nations community initiatives to support community development and growth. This support includes investments in comprehensive community planning and skills development projects that will enable long-term, sustainable First Nations community development.

Other community initiatives include projects such as:

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 420 projects:
    • 144 projects completed
    • 276 projects ongoing
  • 483 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $107.3 million of targeted funds invested

Solid waste management and land use planning

Investments in solid waste management systems on reserves are critical to protect both the environment and human health and safety, while also improving the readiness of First Nations communities to access economic opportunities.

Projects that support improved solid waste management on reserves include:

Investments in land use planning support First Nations and Indigenous partners to design, develop and implement community-led land use plans that guide decisions on the best use of lands and resources for infrastructure, economic development and community well-being.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 1,577 solid waste management and land use planning infrastructure projects:
    • 1,149 projects completed
    • 428 projects ongoing
  • 611 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $796.3 million of targeted funds invested to support solid waste management and land use planning projects, including:
    • 606 waste management infrastructure projects
    • 155 waste management feasibility studies and design projects
    • 615 supporting waste management projects and initiatives
    • 112 land use plan development, update and implementation projects
    • 70 land survey projects
    • 19 training projects

Transfer of service delivery

The transfer of service delivery promotes self-determination by supporting Indigenous communities and organizations to independently deliver services by building capacity and readiness.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 300 infrastructure projects related to the transfer of service delivery:
    • 165 projects completed
    • 135 projects ongoing
  • 600 communities benefitting
  • $254.3 million of targeted funds invested to support transfer of service delivery projects and initiatives, including:
    • 246 Asset Management Program projects
    • 27 housing and infrastructure service transfer initiatives
    • 26 Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative projects
    • 1 project supporting the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council

Urban infrastructure

ISC investments in urban Indigenous infrastructure were allocated to and managed by urban and rural Indigenous service delivery organizations. Funding was used to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centres by helping to provide safe and accessible facilities.

The following Indigenous organizations have received targeted ISC infrastructure funding for urban infrastructure projects:

Investments supported minor and major urban infrastructure projects that address immediate critical infrastructure needs to improve capacity, safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency for organizations providing services to urban Indigenous communities.

Progress to date

As of March 31, 2026:

  • 169 infrastructure projects related to urban infrastructure:
    • 140 projects completed
    • 29 projects ongoing
  • $222.7 million of targeted funds invested to support urban Indigenous infrastructure projects, including:
    • 55 major projects (projects with a cost greater than $1 million)
      • includes building purchases, new constructions, renovations, upgrades and expansions
    • 114 minor projects (projects with a cost up to $1 million)
      • includes energy efficiency projects, retrofits, repairs, plumbing and electrical, interior renovations, etc.

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