Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs on the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer's Report on the Research and Comparative Analysis on the Estimates of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and the Department of Indigenous Services (May 17, 2023)

Logistics

Date: May 17, 2023
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Wellington Building, Room 415

Information for Appearing In-Person

• Witnesses (especially those without a Hill pass) should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to proceed through security

Appearing

• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
  • The Hon. Marc Miller P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
  • Daniel Quan-Watson, Deputy Minister
  • Darlene Bess, Chief Finances Results and Delivery Officer
• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
  • The Hon. Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indigenous Services
  • Valerie Gideon, Associate Deputy Minister
  • Philippe Thompson, Chief Finances Results and Delivery Officer

Streaming

• The meeting can be watched via Parlvu, however, there may be an up to 70–second delay with the feed. A real time audio line will be shared if one is provided for this meeting.

Meeting Proceedings

The Chair will call the meeting to order and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. He will then introduce the witnesses and invite the Minister to deliver her opening remarks (5 minutes). This will be followed by a Q&A period (details below).

It is recommended that all speakers speak slowly and at an appropriate volume to ensure they are heard by the interpreters. All witnesses are asked to mute their microphones unless they are speaking.

While simultaneous translation will be available, witnesses are asked to respond to questions in either English or French, but to limit switching back and forth between languages as this often creates technology/interpretation challenges. It is recommended that the speeches are made in one official language.

Following the opening remarks, there will be rounds of questions from Committee members (as listed below).

Committee members will pose their questions in the following order:

• First round (6 minutes for each Party)
  • Conservative Party of Canada
  • Liberal Party of Canada
  • Bloc Québécois
  • New Democratic Party of Canada
• Second round
  • Conservative Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Liberal Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Bloc Québécois (2.5 minutes)
  • New Democratic Party of Canada (2.5 minutes)
  • Conservative Party of Canada (5 minutes)
  • Liberal Party of Canada (5 minutes)

Context

Potential Areas of Interest for Members of the Committee:

• Emergency Management
  • The Minister of Indigenous Services and/or ISC senior officials have appeared before INAN and PACP on three occasions to discuss the Auditor General's Report on Emergency Management in First Nations Communities
    • MP Ste-Marie (BQ) asked if there was sufficient funding to move forward on all of the projects identified in the OAG report
    • MP Idlout (NDP) asked if the $358 million that the department had requested to be added First Nations Infrastructure Fund would be in Budget 2023.
    • MP Melillo (CPC) referenced the PBO report and asked if the Department had plans to change funding models to mitigation and prevention instead of responding
    • MP Zimmer (CPC) asked about accountability measures in place to ensure outcomes are realized when dealing with third-party service providers via contracts
    • MP Idlout (NDP) also asked about the lack of use of data regarding First Nations' communities capacity and risk levels
• Education
  • MP Vidal (CPC) asked questions regarding DRR data showing a decrease in secondary school graduation rates and further challenged on the use of Statistics Canada data instead of DRR data
  • MP Gill (BQ) asked questions regarding the Office Auditor General of Canada's 2018 report regarding the issue of data collection discrepancies between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education
  • MP Melillo (CPC) questioned officials about graduation rate targets, on-reserve vs. off-reserve data, and metrics the Department uses regarding socio-economic gaps
• Departmental Results Reports and Departmental Plans Reports
  • MP Idlout (NDP) and MP McLeod (Lib) asked about construction delays, costs, and investments for housing in the North
  • MP Gill (BQ) and MP Idlout (NDP) asked questions about accountability and results for addressing food insecurity in the North
• Planned spending versus actual spending
  • MP Zimmer (CPC) asked about funding breakdowns for Specific Claims
  • Senators at the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (NFFN) asked several questions during an appearance of ISC and CIRNAC senior officials about changes in planned spending in the Supplementary Estimates (C)

Other Potential Areas of Questioning, Based on the PBO Report and Other Appearances by Sr. Officials

• Departmental metrics/indicators and how they've changed or been removed
• Data collection lags and data collection gaps
• Increases in FTEs
• Bonuses allocated to Department executives
• Accountability for Department officials when targets aren't met
• Use of consultants and other third party professional services, accountability and costs

Background

On November 21, 2022, INAN adopted the following motion:

That the committee invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada and the Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations to appear before the committee to discuss the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report on the research and comparative analysis on the Estimates of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and the Department of Indigenous Services, and that the meeting be televised.

The Committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting on this study on Monday, April 24th, when the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer will appear [A summary of that meeting will be provided when available].

Recent INAN Studies

• Improving Graduation Rates and Successful Outcomes for Indigenous Students
  • 7 meetings have been held
  • The Minister of Indigenous Services appeared on March 6, 2023
    • There was one follow-up pertaining to the construction of schools in Nunavut
• Indigenous Languages Study
  • 5 meetings have been held
  • The Minister of Canadian Heritage appeared on February 6, 2023
• Supplementary Estimates (B), 2022-23
  • 1 meeting
  • The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Northern Affairs appeared on December 8, 2022
    • There was one follow-up pertaining to the construction of housing in the North
• Bill S-219, An Act respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day
  • 1 meeting
• Arctic Sovereignty, Security and Emergency Preparedness of Indigenous Peoples
  • 11 meetings were held
  • The Minister of Indigenous Services appeared on December 1, 2022
    • There were two follow-ups – one regarding the whole of government approach to flood mitigation, and one regarding families unable to return to their communities after evacuations

In the Media

• Canada's paternalistic mindset toward supporting Indigenous communities just doesn't work, August 5, 2022

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada has made significant investments to improve the quality of life for Indigenous communities, families and youth, as well as to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, government-to-government relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and to support greater self-determination.
• Following the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in 2017, ISC has been undergoing significant organizational changes and has undertaken steps to stabilize its structure.
• Many of the expenditures highlighted in the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report were a result of investments made through the annual federal budget cycle, and as such were not reflected in the Main Estimates that were used in preparation of the departmental planned spending, but rather in subsequent supplementary estimates.
• As a result, many of the variances noted in the report are not a result of a flawed forecasting processes, but rather of significant new investments incorporated into departmental budgets through the normal budgetary cycle.
• In recent years, efforts to establish targets may have been affected by the context of co-development and engagement with Indigenous partners versus previous efforts where targets may have been set unilaterally.
• Many indicators were subject to delays in the collection and compilation of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 results due to COVID-19.
• As part of a continued focus on improving performance measurement, ISC recently renewed its Departmental Results Framework to better align services and resource allocations with the high-level results. The new framework was approved by Treasury Board in November 2022.

Background

• The report presents the Parliamentary Budget Officer's (PBO) response to a request made in February 2022 by the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs to conduct research and comparative analysis on the Estimates of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC) and the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
• PBO accessed publicly available data to conduct this analysis, primarily GC InfoBase, Departmental Plans, Departmental Results Reports and reports from the Office of the Auditor General.
• The report looked at two time periods:
  • 2015-2016 to 2017-2018: when predecessor organizations were active
  • 2018-2019 to 2022-2023: current active organization structure
• For both timeframes, an analysis was made taking two approaches:
  • A quantitative component focused on planned and actual spending and human resources.
  • A qualitative component focused on the changes to departmental result indicators (DRIs) and their ability to realize their objectives.

Key Findings – Quantitative Analysis

Key Findings – Qualitative Analysis

• While the goals related to high level outcomes have remained relatively consistent, departmental indicators have fluctuated as mandates and programming has evolved.
• The portfolio exhibited some volatility to achieving targets, particularly for indicators that were introduced in the early years of ISC's operation and had not yet matured enough for the objectives to be fulfilled.
• The ability of both organizations to achieve specified targets has declined.

If pressed on DRF engagement with Indigenous Partners

• The renewal of ISC's Departmental Results Framework, and the engagement of two National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami) in this process, speaks to the department's vision of on-going involvement of Indigenous stakeholders in performance measurement planning. Departmental performance measurement activities are also informed by mandates, authorities, government policies and directives, and Treasury Board Secretariat direction and approvals.
• Our engagement with Partners is focusing on the results we are seeking to achieve, as well as the measures by which we can track progress. We are working to improve the quality and relevance of data and measures by aligning them with our Partners' priorities.

Annex

Key Messages

• The dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) resulted in the creation of two departments, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), with distinct mandates and sharing most of their internal services.
• ISC is constantly assessing it's shared services model to ensure the department is organizationally aligned with its mandate.

Background

Current Status

Clarity in Division of Responsibilities

Engagement processes have shown that there is a lack of clarity with respect to the division of responsibilities between ISC and CIRNAC. As Transformation progresses, new communication materials will be produced that will assist our partners and clients in understanding the division of responsibilities, while internally, our departments will work together to ensure that programs and services are delivered seamlessly.

CIRNAC's primary responsibilities will be to guide and coordinate the whole-of-government relationship with Section 35 rights holders and Indigenous nations, to reach and implement agreements to accelerate self determination (through self-government and land claim agreements, including reconstituting nations), and to managing Northern programing and Arctic Policy.

ISC's primary responsibilities will be the delivery of services and programs to Section 91(24) Indigenous communities, with a particular emphasis on closing the socio-economic gap between Indigenous People and non-Indigenous Canadians and building up the capacity of Indigenous communities so that they have the means and ability to move forward on the path to self-determination.

ISC Programs Delivered By Northern CIRNAC Regions

List of Internal Services

Shared Internal Services housed in CIRNAC:

• Human Resources and Workplace Services (HRWSB)
• Contingent Liabilities (CFRDO)
• Provisions of shared internal services support to the CIRNAC-ISC Legal Services Unit (Legal/CFRDO)
• Ministerial Correspondence: WEBCIMS and ccm Enterprise (Corporate Secretariat)
• Access to Information and Privacy (Corporate Secretariat)
• Internal Audit, and Assessment and Investigations (AES)
• Cabinet Affairs (PSD)
• Litigation Management and Oversight (PSD)
• Historical Research Services (PSD)

Shared Internal Services housed in ISC:

• Communications and Public Affairs (CPA)
• Information Management Branch (CFRDO)
• Administrative Services Branch (CFRDO)
• Transfer Payments and Regional Corporate Services (CFRDO)
• Corporate Accounting, Services and Operations (CFRDO)
• Regulatory, Parliamentary and Legislative Affairs (SPP)
• Strategic Research and Data Innovation (SPP)

List of Distinct Services (duplicated and housed in both CIRNAC and ISC):

• Strategic Policy
• Evaluation and Performance Measurement
• Resource Management
• Financial Planning
• Financial Reporting
• Internal/External Reporting
• Corporate Results
• Integrated Planning
• Ministerial Correspondence
• Horizontal Coordination/Ministerial Trips
• Planning and Coordination
• Risk Management

Key Messages

• The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an allocation of $228.9 million for Internal Services (Administrative Overhead) within its Budgetary Expenditures. This represents 1% of the Department's Main Estimates budget. This is significantly below the average of comparable departments (in FTEs).
• ISC will continue to ensure that all programs and regions are supported by high quality internal services that are continually evolving to better serve clients and to align with the departmental mandate, including the transfer of services to Indigenous partners.

Background

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal services refer to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support program delivery in the organization, regardless of the internal services delivery model in a department. The 10 service categories are:

• acquisition management services
• communication services
• financial management services
• human resources management services
• information management services
• information technology services
• legal services
• material management services
• management and oversight services
• real property management services

Since 2018-19, ISC's Internal Services averages below 1% of it's total Main Estimates expenditures. There was an increase in 2019-20 and 2020-20 due to the one time funding received to support our Internal Services following by a decrease in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

As reflected in the table below, Internal Services for the Department, in Main Estimates 2023-24, represents 0.6% of its total budget. This is significantly below the average of comparable departments*.

Following the dissolution of INAC and the creation of CIRNAC and ISC, a shared internal services model was established. Currently, the following internal services are shared between ISC and CIRNAC:

Current Status

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an allocation of $228.9 million for Internal Services within its Budgetary Expenditures. This represents 1% of the Department's Main Estimates budget.

In 2023-24, ISC will support service delivery to Indigenous Peoples through greater integrated planning to allow risks and results to guide decision-making and oversight by, but not limited to:

• Promoting increased and continued involvement of Indigenous partners in the strategic planning process and review of performance indicators to help the department improve its capacities in risk, results measurement, investment and project management to better align resources with key objectives.
• Promoting greater accountability, transparency and oversight through internal audits and financial reviews to provide assurance of departmental governance and controls, and support appropriate use of human and financial resources.
• Providing First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities with timely and relevant information they need to access high quality programs and services.
• Providing strategic and timely communications services in support of ministerial, department and Government of Canada priorities.
• Infusing policies, resources, and tools with distinct Indigenous lenses to leverage the talents and strengths of Indigenous employees and support the recruitment, career paths, well-being, and retention of First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees.
• Continuing the implementation of the 2021-2024 Well-being and Mental Health Strategy as the catalyst for change and the continued investment in a psychologically healthier workplace.

Key Messages

• ISC recognizes that its Departmental Result Indicators and targets have been fluctuating since the department was established. Changes in the indicators can be attributed to the reframing of existing indicators, removal of duplicates or challenges collecting/accessing the necessary data.
• To support self-determination and service transfer, ISC is co-developing performance measures and targets with its Indigenous Partners for some Programs. These targets will be reported when co-development is complete.
• ISC has renewed its Departmental Results Framework with an improved focus on outcomes and an assessment of indicators to strengthen its ability to measure and report on progress. It continues to build rigorous performance strategies at the Program level.

Background

• The background of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) report can be found in Issue Sheet: Overview of PBO report and key findings.
• It should be noted that the PBO report focuses on Departmental Results Indicators (DRIs), but additional context regarding both departmental and Program level indicators can be found below. Data collection and measures at the Program level must align with and support performance measurement at the departmental level.

Current Status

• ISC's 2023-24 Departmental Results Framework enables the strengthening of performance measurement and provides an opportunity to implement quality and relevant data, performance indicators and targets by service area that will be more reflective of outcomes to which ISC's Programs and services contribute.
• For the 2023-24 Departmental Plan, Programs were challenged to set realistic but ambitious targets.
• ISC is currently undergoing a comprehensive renewal of the Performance Information Profiles for all its Programs. As part of this renewal, ISC Programs will further assess the relevancy and usefulness of indicators for continued use.
• ISC will be building further rigor in its performance measurement practices including periodic follow-ups on targets with Programs where applicable.

If pressed about the transition from 2022-23 DRF to 2023-24 DRF

For 2023-24, 34 Departmental Indicators Results Indicators have been identified. This is a reduction of 9 indicators from 2022-23 where 43 indicators were identified.

Of the 43 indicators reported in 2022-23:

• 17 indicators were retained as-is.
• 13 indicators were not retained as DRIs because they primarily measure outputs of services delivered, which in many cases do not meaningfully link ISC Programs to Departmental Results. These indicators will continue to be tracked publicly at the Program level in GCInfobase.
• 13 were removed for other reasons such as duplication, reframing as new indicators to reflect distinctions or updated methodology or inclusion in Performance Information Profile at the program level

Key Messages

• ISC's vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.
• The environment in which ISC operates is shaped by a variety of factors that influence its current and future delivery of services including the expressed needs of our Indigenous partners, our support for Indigenous self-determination, and the transfer of responsibilities and jurisdiction to Indigenous partners.
• Supporting Indigenous data sovereignty and capacity is critical to successful service transfer and to supporting the exercise of Indigenous jurisdiction.
• ISC has taken steps towards better program alignment, expenditure management and reporting on results. Through the new 2023-24 Departmental Results Framework (DRF), ISC's reporting structure moves to a single Core Responsibility that focuses more on Indigenous Well-Being and Self-Determination than on more operational results relating to service delivery.
• Through greater engagement with stakeholders we hope to harmonize the Department's performance frameworks, including those at the level of our programs, with the priorities of our Indigenous partners.
• The departmental will, over time, move away from departmental results in the traditional sense of program outcomes to indicators in the context of mutual accountability, while supporting efforts to build capacity in First Nations to collect and analyze the outcomes of their programs.

Background & Current Status

• The Department is pursuing engagement opportunities at the program level with the aim of aligning program results with the needs, priorities and shared outcomes of our Indigenous partners, as well as reducing reporting burden and leveraging and improving on other available data sources. To this end, ISC program representatives have been working, and will continue to work, with Partners to inform its performance frameworks, including their results, performance indicators and targets, for a number of our programs, including in the areas of Child and Family Services, and Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples.
• ISC has also proposed the development of a First Nation Child, Young People and Families Index in collaboration with experts from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Development (IFSD), Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC), the National Advisory Committee on Child and Family Services (NAC), First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), and others who may be able to support in this effort. ISC hopes this approach would lead to clearer objectives, better collaboration, streamlined reporting and data collection processes, and address some of the structural drivers underlying the over-representation of First Nations children in care.
• In addition to the context above, other activities and opportunities to move the department along the continuum of service towards service transfer leveraging performance measurement and data are outlined below.
  • There have been several calls for a comprehensive set of national-level indicators to track improvements in the well-being of First Nations. ISC is working with the Assembly of First Nations and First Nations to develop a National Outcome-Based Framework that would measure the closure of socio-economic gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians.  (See details in Annex A: National Outcome Based Framework).
  • Statistics Canada distinctions based survey and census data, including the Indigenous Peoples Survey, can provide important insights on socio-economic gaps. (See details in Annex B: Summary of Status of Socio-Economic Gaps).
  • Both the Draft UNDA Action Plan and the Federal Data Strategy highlight the importance of supporting Indigenous data sovereignty as a whole-of-government priority. In alignment with Canada's commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Indigenous Services Canada's commitment to service transfer, the Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data focuses on advancing Indigenous data capacity to support the inherent strengths, resilience, and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples as a foundational component of Indigenous self-determination (See Annex C: Supporting Indigenous-led statistical institutions).
  • Indigenous survey data is better if the surveys are Indigenous led. By promising greater cultural relevance of the questions and more culturally competent data collection and management processes, Indigenous-led surveys can achieve better data quality and ultimately empower Indigenous Peoples to tell their own stories based on their unique world views, and to design and deliver effective programs, policies, and services. (See Annex D: Supporting Indigenous-led Surveys: The Surveys on Indigenous Peoples)
  • ISC First Nation and Inuit health Branch (FNIHB) financially supports two national health surveys: (1) the First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS), which is managed and conducted by the First Nations Information Governance Centre ($24.5M over 5 years), and (2) Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) which is managed and conducted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the four Inuit Land Claim Organizations ($41M over 5 years). FNIHB draws heavily on RHS results for evidence-based program planning and policy development as well as for departmental reporting commitments. (See Annex E: Inuit Qanuippitaa National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) and Regional Health Survey (RHS)).

Annex A: Briefing Materials on the National Outcome-Based Framework

• There have been several calls for a comprehensive set of national-level indicators to track improvements in the well-being of First Nations, including:
  • Call to Action #19 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;
  • The Auditor General of Canada's Spring 2018 report on socio-economic gaps on reserves;
  • The corresponding House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts report on the audit;
  • The ISC-AFN Joint Advisory Committee on Fiscal Relations; and
  • Various Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Since 2017, Indigenous Services Canada has been working with the Assembly of First Nations and First Nations to develop a National Outcome-Based Framework that would measure the closure of socio-economic gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians.
• The Framework will be an important element of mutual accountability, whereby the Government of Canada and First Nations hold each other accountable for commitments to improve the well-being of First Nations.
• It is also part of a broader effort to move away from indicators of program-based outputs to outcomes that reflect First Nations ways of seeing, knowing and understanding.
• The Framework would include desired outcomes and statistical indicators on a variety of themes, such as health, social, education, economic prosperity, housing, and community infrastructure, as well as themes identified by First Nations as being particularly meaningful in terms of reconciliation, such as land, language, culture and governance.
• The Framework will seek to complement, but not replace, First Nations developed community well-being frameworks or community development plans.
• ISC has made progress on the development of the Framework:
  • ISC initially worked with partners to identify principles to guide the Framework and conducted a scan of First Nations well-being frameworks, from which a draft Framework was prepared;
  • ISC then engaged program officials and technical experts on First Nations data to inform revisions to the draft;
  • Engagements with First Nations leaders and organizations have begun and are expected to be completed in mid-2023;
  • The results of the engagements will subsequently be analyzed and a final version of the Framework prepared.
• When ISC and its partners have agreed upon a final framework, with the associated outcomes and indicators, a report will be prepared with baseline data, context and disaggregation by various identity factors where feasible.
• The Framework is intended to be evergreen and will evolve as First Nations develop their data and statistical capacity.

Annex B: An Update on the Socio-Economic Gaps Between Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the Non-Indigenous Population

In 2020, the Department's Annual Report to Parliament^{Footnote 1} focused on providing benchmark indicators to assess the nature and scope of the socio-economic gaps between Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the non-Indigenous population. New data on indicators related to income, employment, education, housing, foster care, Indigenous languages and incarceration are now available from the 2021 Census and the Adult Correctional Services Survey. For a complete overview of the main indicators for each domain see Appendix A.

Indigenous Peoples in Canada face significant and long-standing socioeconomic gaps when compared to non-Indigenous people. These gaps have been shaped by a long history of colonialism, discrimination, and marginalization, which have had a profound impact on Indigenous peoples and continue to affect their lives today. Despite the ongoing gaps, significant work is being done to narrow these gaps and improve conditions.

Annex C — Supporting Indigenous-led Statistical Institutions

Annex D – Supporting Indigenous-led Surveys: The Surveys on Indigenous Peoples

Annex E – Inuit Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) and Regional Health Survey (RHS)

We are focusing specifically on the Associate's question relevant to FNIHB asking for more information on "The Indigenous led data collection, analysis and indicator development efforts underway (e.g. Inuit health survey and RHS)".

• ISC-FNIHB financially supports two national health surveys: (1) the First Nations Regional Health Survey, which is managed and conducted by the First Nations Information Governance Centre ($24.5M over 5 years), and (2) Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) which is managed and conducted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the four Inuit Land Claim Organizations ($41M over 5 years). Indicator selection and development for each survey is determined by the Indigenous organizations in accordance with their regional and population health data needs. The surveys collect information based on both Western and traditional understandings of health and well-being.
• FNIHB draws heavily on RHS results for evidence-based program planning and policy development as well as for departmental reporting commitments. For example, RHS provides results for indicators like mental health status, quality and accessibility of health services, and rates for certain health conditions, which are used to inform several departmental reporting requirements (e.g., the Departmental Results Report and Horizontal Initiative Results Frameworks).
• ISC-FNIHB purchase RHS results through a contractual agreement with the First Nations Governance Centre. This agreement respects the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP), while allowing ISC-FNIHB to obtain customized results for a multitude of specialized reporting indicators. QNIHS results, once available, will also be obtained through a contractual agreement with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
• In addition to federal — National NIO work, FNIGC regional partners in Atlantic region, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia continue to work with their provincial health organizations to extract First Nation specific information from health administrative databases (i.e., deaths, hospitalizations, coroner's data). These data enable First Nations to report on regionally prevalent health conditions such as COVID-19 and substance abuse, as well as opioid deaths. Although it is currently not possible to reproduce these statistics across all provincial/territorial jurisdictions, FNIGC regional partnering organizations continue to work towards structuring data governance approaches that will eventually enable this type of reporting.

We think the above adequately covers what the Associate is looking for, but here are some further details with respect to your particular questions below:

Status of these surveys (e.g., conducted in 2022) and ISC role (e.g., funding)

• FNIHB financially supports two national health surveys: (1) the First Nations Regional Health Survey, which is managed and conducted by the First Nations Information Governance Centre ($24.5M over 5 years), and (2) Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey (QNIHS) which is managed and conducted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the four Inuit Land Claim Organizations ($41M over 5 years). Indicator selection and development for each survey is determined by the Indigenous organizations in accordance with their regional and population health data needs. The surveys collect information based on both Western and traditional understandings of health and well-being.

Impact of COVID (e.g., survey delays, data gaps for x years)

• COVID-19 has significantly impacted the completion timeline for both the RHS and QNIHS. Both surveys rely on face-to-face data collection methods and the direct impacts of COVID-19 as well as post-pandemic after affects have impeded advancement as communities and regions have had to prioritize response and recovery activities, and subsequently are exhausted. The two surveys are currently in the data collection phase, which will be completed in FY 2023-24. However, the pandemic has delayed the overall cycle completion by approximately 2.5 years.

ISC's use of this survey data including examples of specific robust indicators (e.g., trends we have observed, are we closing the socio-economic gap?)

• FNIHB draws heavily on RHS results for evidence-based program planning and policy development as well as for departmental reporting commitments. For example, RHS provides results for indicators like mental health status, quality and accessibility of health services, and rates for certain health conditions, which are used to inform several departmental reporting requirements (e.g., the Departmental Results Report and Horizontal Initiative Results Frameworks).

Any outstanding actions (e.g., we need to develop an information sharing agreement with party xyz to access the survey data)

• ISC-FNIHB purchase RHS results through a contractual agreement with the First Nations Governance Centre. This agreement respects the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP), while allowing ISC- FNIHB to obtain customized results for a multitude of specialized reporting indicators. QNIHS results, once available, will also be obtained through a contractual agreement with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
• In addition to federal – National NIO work, FNIGC regional partners in Atlantic region, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia continue to work with their provincial health organizations to extract First Nation specific information from health administrative databases (i.e., deaths, hospitalizations, coroner's data). These data enable First Nations to report on regionally prevalent health conditions such as COVID-19 and substance abuse, as well as opioid deaths. Although it is currently not possible to reproduce these statistics across all provincial/territorial jurisdictions, FNIGC regional partnering organizations continue to work towards structuring data governance approaches that will eventually enable this type of reporting.

If pressed on Economic Reconciliation:

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $30 million over five years to ensure that First Nations can develop capacity to exercise increased responsibility over their lands, resources, and environment.
• Budget 2023 also:
  • reaffirms our commitment to negotiate a renewed operating funding formula with the Lands Advisory Board, and;
  • provides $5 million to support the co-development of an Economic Reconciliation Framework that will increase economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, communities, and businesses.

If pressed on Health Equity:

• Budget 2023 proposes $810.6 million to support medical travel and to maintain medically necessary services through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, including mental health services, dental and vision care, and medications.
• Additionally, Budget 2023 proposes $16.2 million for interventions to reduce rates of tuberculosis in Inuit communities.

If pressed on Governance and Capacity:

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $76.3 million to continue to support the administrative capacity of First Nations governments and tribal councils delivering critical programs and services to their members.

If pressed on Implementation of jurisdictional rights for child and family services:

• With funding announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, Budget 2023 also provides support to Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and Louis Bull Tribe First Nation in Alberta to exercise jurisdiction over their child welfare systems and make decisions about what is best for their children and families.

Background

First Nations governments need resources to meet the needs of their communities and deliver the services and programs their communities rely on. Supporting First Nations governments is an essential part of supporting self-determination.

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $76.3 million in 2023-24 to Indigenous Services Canada to continue to support the administrative capacity of First Nations governments and tribal councils delivering critical programs and services to their members.

Economic reconciliation is critical to Indigenous self-determination. To move forward and build prosperity, systemic barriers must be removed and supports put in place for Indigenous communities to fully participate in the economy in line with their constitutionally protected rights.

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $5 million in 2023-24 to Indigenous Services Canada to support the co-development of an Economic Reconciliation Framework with Indigenous partners that will increase economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, communities, and businesses.

The federal government is committed to supporting initiatives that return control and decision-making over the use of First Nations lands back to First Nations communities. This supports economic growth and self-determination for First Nations, and moves us further along the path of reconciliation.

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $30 million over five years, starting in 202324, to Indigenous Services Canada to enhance the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, ensuring First Nations can develop capacity to exercise increased responsibility over their lands, resources, and environment.
• Through Budget 2023, the government reaffirms its commitment to negotiate a renewed operating funding formula with the Lands Advisory Board to ensure the continued growth and success of First Nation Land Management.

As part of the federal government's plan to strengthen Canada's universal public health care system, the government is investing $2 billion in new, additional funding over ten years for a distinctions-based Indigenous Health Equity Fund. This fund will address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when accessing health care services, and support immediate and long-term Indigenous health priorities. Building on this investment, Budget 2023 proposes additional new measures to maintain essential health care services. Budget 2023 proposes to provide:

• $810.6 million over five years, beginning in 2023-24, to support medical travel and to maintain medically necessary services through the NonInsured Health Benefits Program, including mental health services, dental and vision care, and medications.
• $16.2 million over three years, beginning in 2023-24, for interventions to reduce rates of tuberculosis in Inuit communities.

The government also continues to work with First Nations partners on long- term reforms for child welfare, and to support community-led solutions to reduce the number of children in care and keep children and youth connected to their families, their communities, and their culture. In addition, the government is supporting First Nations in developing their own child and family services that reflect their values and traditions under An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

• Budget 2023 proposes to provide $171 million in 2022-23 to Indigenous Services Canada to ensure First Nations children continue to receive the support they need through Jordan's Principle.
• With funding announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, Budget 2023 also provides $444.2 million over three years, starting in 2022-23, to support Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and Louis Bull Tribe First Nation in Alberta to exercise jurisdiction over their child welfare systems and make decisions about what is best for their children and families.

Key Messages

Background

Current Status

Key Messages

• All Canadians deserve access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
• As of December 31, 2022, more than $3.03 billion of targeted funding has been invested to support 1,058 water and wastewater projects, of which 525 are now complete and 533 are ongoing. These projects will serve 470,000 people in 589 First Nations communities.
• First Nations, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, have lifted 138 long term drinking water advisories to date.
  • Approximately 38% of remaining long-term drinking water advisories are expected to be lifted by the end of June 2023.
  • 248 short-term drinking water advisories were also addressed, preventing them from becoming long-term drinking water advisories.
• Initiatives are underway in 28 communities to resolve the remaining 32 advisories.

Background

• Responsibility for safe drinking water on reserves is shared between First Nation communities and the Government of Canada.
  • First Nations are the managers and operators of their water and wastewater systems and are responsible for issuing or rescinding drinking water advisories, generally based on the advice of an environmental public health officer.
  • ISC provides advice and financial support to First Nations communities for their public water and wastewater systems and ensures that drinking water quality monitoring programs are in place.
• Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed $4.39 billion of targeted funds until 2023–2024 ($4.20 billion excluding funding for Indigenous Services Canada [ISC] departmental operating expenses, i.e. operating expenses related to ISC's administration of the targeted infrastructure investment portfolio). An additional $1.22 billion in new funding has been committed to support First Nations to operate and maintain their water and wastewater infrastructure, for a total commitment of $5.61 billion.
  • Budget 2016 committed $1.83 billion over five years ($1.73 billion excluding funding for operating expenses) to improve water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves, ensure proper facility operations and maintenance, and strengthen capacity by enhancing the training of water system operators in First Nations communities (sunsetted).
    • Budget 2016 also included $141.7 million in new funding to continue providing independent public health advice, guidance and recommendations to improve drinking water monitoring and testing on reserves.
  • Budget 2017 committed $49.1 million over three years, starting in 2018–2019, to improve water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves (sunsetted).
    • An additional $4.5 million over one year (2018–2019) from Operation Return Home was committed to support water and wastewater projects in Lake St. Martin-area First Nations displaced by floods in 2011 (sunsetted).
  • Budget 2018 committed $172.6 million over three years to improve access to clean and safe drinking water on reserves (sunsetted). Budget 2018 supported repairs to high-risk water systems, recruitment, training and retention initiatives, and the establishment of innovative First Nations-led service delivery models.
  • Budget 2019 committed $1 billion over five years, which includes:
    • $133.4 million over two years, starting in 2019–2020, to support urgent repairs to vulnerable water and wastewater systems (sunsetted);
    • $605.6 million over four years, starting in 2020–2021, and $184.9 million per year ongoing thereafter, to support the operations and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations communities;
  • The 2020 Fall Economic Statement (FES) committed $1.5 billion in funding to help meet the Government of Canada's commitment to clean drinking water in First Nations communities:
    • $520.5 million over one year ($494.6 million excluding funding for operating expenses) to continue funding water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves to prevent future drinking water advisories from occurring (sunsetted);
    • $309.8 million over one year ($308.2 million excluding funding for operating expenses) to support and accelerate ongoing work to lift all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves by helping to respond to project delays including those caused by COVID-19 (sunsetted);
    • $616.3 million over six years and $114.1 million per year ongoing thereafter to support the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves;
    • $32.9 million for Environment Public Health Officers who provide critical public health services in First Nations communities, including efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
    • $19.7 million over two years (excluding funding for ISC departmental operating expenses), starting in 2021–2022, toward a water treatment facility in Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation).
      • This targeted investment was part of a larger $200.1 million announcement for the construction and operations of a water treatment facility and mercury care home and in Grassy Narrows First Nation, and a mercury wellness centre in neighboring community, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations.
  • Budget 2021 committed $1.04 billion over two years ($989.3 million excluding funding for operating expenses), starting in 2022–2023, for the First Nations Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program. These investments will support the planning (including feasibility and design studies), procurement, construction, and commissioning of both minor and major water and wastewater capital projects for new builds and system repairs and upgrades in First Nations communities.
  • Budget 2022 committed $301.5 million ($292.7 million excluding funding for operating expenses) to improve access to clean drinking water on reserves, including:
    • $246.6 million over two years ($238.2 million excluding funding for operating expenses) to address and prevent long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserves;
    • $54.9 million in 2023–2024 ($54.5 million excluding funding for operating expenses) for the Curve Lake First Nation water treatment plant and distribution system.

• Improving access to clean water has important positive impacts in the context of social determinants of health and closing gaps for sub-populations facing the greatest barriers including individuals with disproportionate caretaking responsibilities, often women and/or single parents; low-income households; people who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions; disabled people; elders; and children.
  • Boiling water or transporting bottled water can add hours to simple caregiving tasks, such as bathing and other personal hygiene, cleaning, cooking, preparing infant formulas, and/or doing the laundry.
  • Additionally, boiling water or transporting bottled water requires additional labour that can be especially challenging for children, elders and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, costs associated with boiling water or purchasing bottled water disproportionately impact low-income households.
  • Labour and resources which can be redirected away from accessing clean water to other priorities may also advance well-being, such as by pursuing education or purchasing more nutritious food.
• Budget 2022 also committed to provide $173.2 million over ten years, starting in 2022-23, to support the transfer of water and wastewater services in 17 communities to the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority.
• The Water Authority's model supports Indigenous self-determination and accountability over how water and wastewater services and assets are being planned, prioritized, funded, managed and delivered to participating Atlantic First Nations.
• First Nations communities do not have legally enforceable safe drinking water protections comparable to what's in place in provinces and territories.
• In 2013, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was created to support the development of federal regulations to support First Nations' access to clean, reliable drinking water and effective treatment of wastewater. However, First Nations voiced concerns about this legislation during ongoing engagement since 2018, saying the law was not effective.
  • In response to these concerns, and aligned with the Safe Drinking Water Class Action Settlement Agreement, the Government of Canada repealed the 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act on June 23, 2022. The Government of Canada is committed to developing and introducing new First Nations drinking water and wastewater legislation, in consultation with First Nations.
  • Following repeal of the 2013 Act, the Government of Canada enhanced engagement with First Nations rights holders to advance the development of a legislative proposal for First Nations drinking water and wastewater.
  • Engagement on the consultation draft of the legislative proposal is ongoing until April 23, 2023.
• The Government of Canada's engagement approach includes
  • advancing development of a legislative proposal for drinking water and wastewater with the Assembly of First Nations
  • ongoing direct engagement with First Nations rights holders, Modern Treaty and Self Governing Nations, including group-based sessions and individual sessions
  • engaging provinces and territories on source water protection to inform the development of the legislative proposal
• First Nations governments and citizens must be able to shape this work and assess if it will meet their needs.

Current Status

• It is currently expected that:
  • 12 of the remaining 32 LTDWAs will be lifted by the end of June 2023;
  • 3 by December 2023;
  • 2 by summer 2024; and,
  • 1 by fall 2025.
• There are 14 LTDWAs in effect for which target lift dates cannot be estimated at this time due to the nature of the issues, or because the project is not sufficiently advanced to be able to set a date.
• ISC, the Circuit Rider Trainer Program, and Ontario Hubs are providing support to communities to advance projects and establish schedules for repairs, upgrades, operator training and lift dates.
• Currently, there are communities unable to lift LTDWAs due to capacity issues for water and wastewater operators. In line with closing the infrastructure gap by 2030, future program needs may need to be expanded in order to ensure communities have sufficient resources to train, retain and certify water and wastewater operators on reserve.
• Ultimately, the decision to put in place a particular solution is made by the First Nation's leadership.
  • In some cases, a small repair or the replacement of a piece of equipment is needed to restore water and/or wastewater services to the community.
  • In other cases, the drinking water and/or wastewater infrastructure no longer works and needs to be completely replaced, which may take several years to plan, design and build.
  • Where possible, we work with First Nations to develop an interim solution, which could include a repair or upgrade to the system while new infrastructure is being constructed.
• ISC has taken all possible measures to monitor, assess, prevent, mitigate, and respond to risks as needed throughout 2021-22. First Nations, particularly in remote locations, faced supply issues, limited contractor availability, and market saturation which can delay funding implementation.
  • The current global shortage for supplies, equipment, and capacity, due to the pandemic, posed a risk that could impact project schedules, and the ability to meet previously established target lift dates for the remaining long-term drinking water advisories.
  • Compounded by the pandemic measures in place, resource shortages had the potential to delay the implementation of various infrastructure projects and significantly impact forecasted project costs.
• An internal evaluation of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Activities On-Reserve is scheduled for 2025-26. The timing for these evaluations may change based on the needs, risks, and priorities assessed through the annual departmental evaluation planning exercise.

Issue Summary

Jordan's Principle is a legal obligation of the Government of Canada to ensure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding is demand-driven, and can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs unmet through other programming at the federal, provincial/territorial, and/or local levels.

Jordan's Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. He was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada is committed to the full implementation of Jordan's Principle, and to working with First Nations communities and partners to ensure that First Nations children can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them.
• Jordan's Principle supports families in accessing products and services for First Nations children and youth to help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs.
• Between July 2016 and January 31, 2023, the reach of approved products and services was 2.47 million under Jordan's Principle. These include speech therapy, educational supports, medical equipment, mental health services and more.
• While we continue to provide support to First Nations children through Jordan's Principle, we will also work with First Nations partners, provinces and territories to develop longer-term approaches to help better address the unique health, social, and education needs of First Nations children.

Background

In 2005, at the age of five, Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, died in the hospital while the provincial and federal governments could not agree on who was financially responsible for his home care in a medical foster home.

That year, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) released the Wen:De reports, among the policy recommendations was the concept of Jordan's Principle, a child-first principle to ensure that services for First Nations children are not delayed due to jurisdictional disputes.

In February 2007, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) that alleged that pursuant to section 5 of the Canadian Human Rights Act (the Act), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) discriminates in the provision of child and family services to First Nations on reserve and in the Yukon, on the basis of race and/or national or ethnic origin, by providing inequitable and insufficient funding for those services. The implementation of Jordan's Principle was identified as a solution to jurisdictional disputes as part of this complaint.

On December 12, 2007, a Private Member's Motion No. 296 in support of Jordan's Principle was passed with unanimous support in the House of Commons in honor of Jordan River Anderson, "The government should immediately adopt a child first principle, based on Jordan's Principle, to resolve jurisdictional disputes involving the care of First Nations children."

In August 2007, the Government of Canada announced $11M in new funding to Health Canada for the implementation of Jordan's Principle. This implementation focused on jurisdictional disputes involving First Nations children living on-reserve with multiple disabilities requiring services from multiple service providers.

Under the federal response, no Jordan's Principle cases were identified (given the narrow scope) and the fund was eliminated. Requests for services that came forward were managed through federal/provincial contacts and services provided through existing programs.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Final Report in 2015. Call to Action #3 calls on "all levels of government to fully implement Jordan's Principle."

On January 26, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) issued its first ruling with respect to the 2007 complaint by the Caring Society and AFN. The ruling substantiated the complaint and made a finding of discrimination against the Attorney General of Canada (for the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs) that Canada was failing to provide an adequate level of child welfare services to First Nations families on reserve. The CHRT ordered Canada "to cease applying its narrow definition of Jordan's Principle and to take measures to immediately implement the full meaning and scope of Jordan's Principle."

Since that time, the CHRT has issued many other orders, clarifying eligibility, establishing definitions and timelines, and most recently, ordering Canada to fund on-reserve capital projects to support the delivery of Jordan's Principle services (2021 CHRT 41).

Current Status

Update as of April 5, 2023

On April 5, 2023, a revised final settlement agreement now totalling more than $23 billion was reached by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Moushoom and Trout class actions plaintiffs, and Canada to compensate those harmed by discriminatory underfunding of First Nations child and family services and those impacted by the federal government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society was an integral part of the discussions and has also signalled its support for this agreement.

The revised agreement is designed to fully meet the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT)'s compensation orders as well as the Moushoom and Trout Class Actions. The agreement is a meaningful step towards resolution and compensation. It also includes comprehensive wellness supports for claimants.

Additional Information

Key Messages

• All parties have worked collaboratively to reach a First Nations-led and designed final settlement agreement on compensation. This settlement agreement, the largest in Canadian history, will compensate First Nations children and families harmed by the underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and the narrow application of Jordan's Principle.
• We are happy that the compensation agreement was supported by a resolution at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly held between April 3 and 6, 2023.
• The agreement will be brought to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal asking for the Tribunal to confirm that the agreement meets its 2019 order on compensation. Following this, the agreement must be approved by the Federal Court. These steps will take several months and only after that can the agreement be implemented.
• We are eager to take these next steps with the parties to obtain the approvals of the Tribunal and the Federal Court so that the agreement can be implemented as soon as possible.

Background

• Given that the Moushoom, Assembly of First Nations and Trout class actions and the CHRT's 2019 compensation order all revolve around Canada's past discriminatory practices in connection with the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and the delay and denial of essential services both under Jordan's Principle and prior to the Principle, negotiations to reach a global settlement began in late 2021.
• On December 31, 2021, an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) that committed $20 billion in compensation to children and caregivers affected by Canada's discrimination was signed.
• On July 4, 2022, a First Nations-led and designed proposed final settlement agreement on compensation was reached by the parties. It was intended to compensate those harmed by the discriminatory underfunding of the FNCFS Program and those impacted by the federal government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle, as found in the CHRT's January 26, 2016 decision but also expanded to include classes not covered by the Tribunal's orders (1991-2006).
• However, the Tribunal, in its ruling of October 24, 2022, did not agree that the proposed Final Settlement Agreement fully satisfied the 2019 compensation order.

Current Status

• In early April 2023, a revised Final Settlement Agreement addressing the Tribunal's decision was reached between Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, the plaintiffs in the Moushoom and Trout class actions as well with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
• The agreement was supported by a resolution at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly held between April 3 and 6, 2023.
• The agreement will be brought to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal asking for the Tribunal to confirm that the agreement meets its 2019 order on compensation. Following this, the agreement must be approved by the Federal Court. These steps will take several months and only after that can the agreement be implemented.
• The AFN is maintaining a website where updates and the latest information on implementation can be found: Finalizing the agreement on compensation for First Nations

Key Messages

• ISC is working with Indigenous groups, communities and peoples, as well as provinces and territories, to support the exercise of Indigenous child and family services jurisdiction under the Act.
• ISC has set quantitative targets to conclude coordination agreements with 40 Indigenous governing bodies by 2024-2025, enabling them to exercise jurisdiction under their own child and family services laws.
• To date, agreements have been concluded with seven Indigenous governing bodies. An additional twelve agreements are anticipated in 2023-2024, tracking to achieve ISC targets.

Background

Current Status

• Indigenous Services Canada has projected that 40 Indigenous governing bodies will seek to conclude coordination agreements by 2024-2025, in support of their exercise of child and family services jurisdiction under the Act.
• As of the end of 2022-2023, six trilateral coordination agreements and one bilateral fiscal agreement have been concluded with seven Indigenous governing bodies, enabling them to exercise jurisdiction under their own child and family services laws.
• Canada has signed coordination agreements with the following groups:
  • Peerless Trout First Nation, Lubicon Lake Band, Loon River First Nation (Founding First Nations) and the Province of Alberta (Canada's contribution is $149.4 million over five years, these could potentially be higher pending future capital proposals);
  • Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and the Province of Ontario (Canada's contribution is $93.8 million over four years, these could potentially be higher pending future capital proposals);
  • Splatsin and the Province of British Columbia (Canada's contribution is $136.2 million over ten years);
  • Peguis First Nation and the Province of Manitoba (Canada's contribution is up to $309.0 million over three years, pending Capital proposals);
  • Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and the Province of Ontario (Canada's contribution is $340.8 million over ten years, discussions are taking place to amend these agreements);
  • Cowessess First Nation and the Province of Saskatchewan (Canada's contribution is $38.7 million over two years, discussions are taking place to amend these agreements).
• Canada has also entered into a fiscal agreement with Louis Bull Tribe (Canada's contribution is up to $124.8 million over three years, pending Capital proposals). This is a bilateral fiscal agreement between Louis Bull Tribe and Canada and does not include a trilateral coordination agreement with Province of Alberta.
• It is anticipated that twelve additional coordination agreements will be concluded with Indigenous governing bodies this year, tracking to achieve ISC projections that will help ISC ensure it has sufficient support for the ongoing implementation of the Act.

Key Messages

• Federal responsibility for additions to reserve is shared between the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Indigenous Services.
• The creation of CIRNAC and ISC has not resulted in increased costs for ISC for the processing of additions to reserve proposals. While departmental responsibilities for the Additions to Reserve approval process have shifted slightly, ISC continues to assist First Nations in completing the technical requirements of the Additions to Reserve/ Reserve Creation Policy such as surveys, environmental site assessments and resolving third party interests.
• ISC was allocated $32.2 million through Budget 2021 to address the existing inventory of additions to reserve, strengthen First Nation capacity through the training of land managers, and develop modern digital solutions to enhance on-reserve land management.

Background

• Additions to reserve contribute significantly to reconciliation with First Nations and improve their ability to access lands and resources for community and economic development opportunities. The process to add lands to reserve is First Nation led, requiring the participation of multiple stakeholders. Each addition to reserve takes approximately 2 to 8 years to complete.
• The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is responsible for the Addition of Lands to Reserves and Reserve Creation Act and the First Nations Land Management Act. This includes the authority to issue a Ministerial Order, pursuant to these acts, to set land apart as reserve for the use and benefit of a First Nation.
• ISC is responsible for the administration of the additions to reserve process in accordance with the 2016 Additions to Reserve Policy, the Addition of Lands to Reserves and Reserve Creation Act and the First Nations Land Management Act. Once land has been set apart as reserve, ISC has the statutory and fiduciary obligation to administer the land in accordance with the Indian Act.
• On August 29, 2019, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, pursuant to section 9 of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Act, delegated the administrative functions and duties of the Addition of Lands to Reserves and Reserve Creation Act to the Minister of Indigenous Services, while retaining final sign off on all additions to reserve.
• On April 19, 2021, the federal budget announced $43 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to work with Indigenous partners and other stakeholders to redesign the 2016 Additions to Reserve/Reserve Creation Policy and to accelerate work on existing requests from First Nations across the country. Of the $43 million, $32.2 million is provided to ISC for the reduction of the additions to reserve inventory, while the remaining $10.8 million is dedicated to the policy redesign currently led by Crown-Indigenous Relations.
• New ISC resources secured pursuant to Budget 2021 are intended to support capacity development within Indigenous organizations and First Nations, allowing them to gradually assume greater control over their additions to reserve processes. It will also improve their governance capacity and support self-determination through partnerships with neighbouring governments and third parties, as well as with internal community engagements. These investments are also directed at increasing the capacity of ISC regional and headquarters staff to process addition to reserve proposals.

Current Status

• There are approximately 700 active additions to reserve proposals in the inventory.
• ISC continues to work directly with Indigenous institutions, regional offices and First Nation land managers to flow Budget 2021 investments and continue to develop strategies and tools to reduce the inventory of addition to reserve proposals.
• One such tool is the new modernized National Additions to Reserve Tracking System, live as of March 2023. This system, developed in partnership with First Nations, will streamline processes across regional offices and provide direct access to First Nations to their proposals with the help of an innovative, cloud-based platform. As a result, transaction costs and uncertainty over roles and responsibilities will be reduced in real time, and communications between the Department and First Nations will be enhanced. It will enable ISC staff to monitor file progress accurately, identify specific steps in the process where delays occur and also enable First Nations to take a more active role in managing their addition to reserve proposals.
• ISC also continues to support CIR in their efforts to re-design the Additions to Reserve policy.

Key Messages

Background

• In partnership with First Nations communities, provincial and territorial governments and non-government organizations, Indigenous Services Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps First Nation communities on reserve access emergency assistance services.
• EMAP provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to them using the four pillars of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Since April 1, 2014, the Department has been providing emergency management services under four pillars – mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery – to on-reserve First Nation communities through the EMAP. Services were traditionally governed by emergency management service agreements between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories.
• Budget 2019 provided $201 million over five years, starting in 2019-20, with $49.4 million per year ongoing to support increased resiliency and emergency management on-reserve, including health emergencies. This led to the establishment of key program streams, such as the implementation of Emergency Management Coordinators in on-reserve First Nation communities and the establishment of the Firesmart program.
• The Minister of Indigenous Services has been mandated to work with First Nations and provincial and territorial government partners to strengthen the governance and service delivery for First Nations emergency preparedness, management and recovery.
• As First Nations were not included as signatories in existing bilateral agreements between ISC and the provinces and territories, ISC is now moving towards establishing multilateral emergency management service agreements to include First Nations as full and equal partners.
• The establishment of multilateral service agreements, with First Nations as full and equal partners, are a step toward strengthening governance models to enable First Nation-led service delivery.
• The OAG's Performance Audit of ISC's Emergency Management in First Nation Communities was tabled in Parliament on November 15, 2022.
• The purpose of the audit was to determine whether ISC provided the emergency management support needed by First Nation communities. The report makes seven recommendations.

Current Status

• Eight bilateral agreements have been established across Canada. As some of these agreements are set to expire within the next few years, ISC is using this as an opportunity to transition its approach to move forward with multilateral agreements that include the department, provinces and territories or third parties, and First Nation communities as full and equal partners.
• To ensure the full engagement of First Nation partners, ISC is working to develop regional strategies that take into account each regional context.
• ISC has developed a Management Action Plan that addresses all seven recommendations. Implementation will begin, once approved.
• ISC is developing a strategic path forward to develop a consistent approach to developing multilateral service agreements, focusing on financial flexibility, with First Nation partners and provincial and territorial counterparts. These plans are being informed through engagement with Regional Office colleagues and First Nation partners.
• ISC will build on 2019 investments and continue to target funding opportunities to expand EMAP and the department's ability to provide more timely, and higher-quality services to First Nation on-reserve communities.
• ISC will continue to engage First Nation partners and other partners on how to expand and enhance the EMAP program to better meet the needs of First Nation communities, and create an environment of First Nation-led service delivery.

Key Messages

• On February 7 2023, the Prime Minister announced plans to increase health funding to provinces and territories by $198.6 billion over ten years, including $46.2 billion in funding for new initiatives.
• This included a complementary investment of $2 billion over ten years through the new Indigenous Health Equity Fund to ensure access to quality and culturally safe health care services, in line with the shared health priorities and the self-determined priorities of Indigenous peoples.
• This long-term, sustainable and predictable funding will be distributed on a distinctions basis to ensure support to regional First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and service delivery organizations.
• Over the coming weeks and months, I will be reaching out to national and regional Indigenous partners on the design and implementation of the Fund.

Background

• The new Indigenous Health Equity Fund is part of the Government of Canada's plan to increase health investments by $198.6 billion over ten years, including $46.2 billion in funding for new initiatives. This includes the following:
  • An immediate, unconditional $2 billion Canada Health Transfer top-up to address immediate pressures on the health care system. In addition, the Government of Canada is providing a 5% guarantee for the next five years, which will be provided through annual top-up payments. This is projected to provide an additional $17.3 billion over 10 years in new support.
  • $25 billion over ten years to provinces and territories to advance shared health priorities through tailored bilateral agreements that will support the needs of people in four areas of shared priority:
    • family health services;
    • health workers and backlogs;
    • mental health and substance use; and
    • a modernized health system with standardized health data and digital tools.
  • $2 billion over ten years to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when it comes to fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe health care services. Funding will be provided directly to First Nation, Inuit and Métis partners. The government will work with Indigenous partners to prioritize investments.

Current Status

• Shared Health Priorities: Health Canada is working with provinces and territories to reach tailored bilateral health care funding agreements, and together with ISC, is supporting meaningful engagement between provinces and territories and Indigenous organizations to address gaps, support Indigenous health priorities and work towards eliminating health inequalities for all. On March 29, 2023, invitation letters were sent to National Indigenous Organizations informing them of plans underway to schedule a series of trilateral meetings in spring 2023 that will bring together provinces and territories and regional Indigenous leadership to discuss shared priorities.
  • The first regional trilateral meeting took place in in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 13 from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. The meeting included Minister Duclos, the BC Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, and Indigenous representation from the First Nations Health Authority, the First Nations Health Council and the Métis Nation British Columbia. The discussion was overwhelmingly positive and all meeting participants were appreciative of the opportunity to have a seat at the table to discuss their health priorities and next steps. Key priorities identified by regional Indigenous partners aligned positively with the four shared health priorities (mental wellness and substance use, access to primary care services, health human resources, and data). The key priority underpinning was a strong emphasis on culture and traditional healing. All partners underlined the need to leverage Indigenous culture as a means of prevention and addressing many health care issues.
• Indigenous Health Equity Fund: Through the Budget, announced on March 28, 2023, the Government of Canada reaffirmed $2 billion in new, additional funding over ten years for a distinctions-based Indigenous Health Equity Fund. This fund is intended to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when accessing health care services, and support immediate and long-term Indigenous health priorities. The Government of Canada is committed to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners across the country on the design and implementation of the Fund, ensuring alignment with Indigenous-led regional and community health priorities. ISC will initiate bilateral engagement with national and regional Indigenous leadership this spring.
  • ISC is working with central agencies to finalize a policy paper that lays out a plan for implementing a new program with a dedicated set of Terms and Conditions, which would provide broad flexibilities for distinctions-based approaches to health.