Indigenous Services Canada: 2024-25 Departmental Plan

Departmental result 1: Indigenous Peoples are physically well

Throughout 2024-25, ISC will continue to improve support for First Nations and Inuit communities to implement integrated and holistic health services that are primarily delivered by First Nations on-reserve and Inuit in Inuit Nunangat by:

• Funding and supporting a suite of culturally relevant community-based programming and services related to improved access to healthy food, physical activity, commercial tobacco use prevention and cessation, and chronic disease prevention and management.
• Promoting healthy development of children and implementing the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.
• Continuing to support Inuit-specific approaches to achieving a reduction of tuberculosis rates in Inuit Nunangat by 2025 and the elimination of tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat by 2030.
• Committing to meeting a 95% target for all HIV-positive First Nations Peoples on reserve and Inuit in Inuit Nunangat to know their status and receive treatment with the goal of achieving viral suppression by 2025. Funding will be distributed to Indigenous organizations and communities for HIV self-testing, culturally safe care and harm reduction initiatives/projects.
• Supporting Indigenous communities to address existing or emerging communicable diseases, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections through vaccine administration of preventable diseases.
• Supporting the recovery and expansion of environmental public health services to reduce environmental health risks, including establishing an Impact Assessment and Health Team.

The department will ensure First Nations and Inuit children have access to the health, social and educational services and supports they need. ISC will continue to work towards fulfilling its mandate to fully implement Jordan's Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative by:

• Working towards closing gaps in health and social outcomes, addressing distinct needs and jurisdictional disputes, and providing resources and supports to help keep children in their family homes.
• Continuing to work closely with parties and partners to implement the October 2023 Federal Court approved $23.34 billion settlement agreement on compensation for those who were impacted by the federal government's narrow definition of Jordan's Principle.
• Collaborating with Inuit partners in the co-development process to establish an Inuit-specific approach that better meets the long-term needs of Inuit children while collaborating with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Treaty Organizations to raise awareness of the Inuit Child First Initiative.

ISC also remains committed to continuing to advance the full implementation of Joyce's Principle and ensuring it guides the work for distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation, as well as fostering health systems that will respect and ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. In addition, the department will continue working with Indigenous partners to implement the Indigenous Health Equity Fund, a new fund of $2 billion over ten years announced in March 2023 in parallel to significant new health funding for the provinces and territories. The Indigenous Health Equity Fund will be distributed on a distinctions-basis directly to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when it comes to equitable access to quality and culturally safe health services, in alignment with Indigenous-led regional and community health priorities. This builds upon efforts from the National Dialogues for eliminating racism in Canada's health systems.

Departmental result 2: Indigenous Peoples are mentally well

Mental health is linked to the overall health status of Indigenous individuals and communities. Efforts to address inequities and barriers experienced by Indigenous populations in mental wellness are strongly guided by Indigenous-led frameworks such as the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, Honouring Our Strengths, and the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In 2024-25, ISC will continue to advance work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to improve access to high-quality services; improve well-being in Indigenous communities; and support Indigenous Peoples in assuming control of the delivery of services they choose specific to mental health and wellness. Federally-funded mental wellness programming supplements programs and services offered by provinces and territories and aims to improve well-being in Indigenous communities by providing:

• Access to local multidisciplinary mental wellness teams.
• Wrap-around services at opioid agonist therapy sites.
• Life promotion and suicide prevention initiatives, and substance use prevention and treatment services.
• Access to trauma-informed clinical mental health counselling and cultural and emotional supports.

The department will measure distinctions-specific progress towards increasing positive outcomes by using data from self-reported health surveys that ask respondents to rate their mental health. This is a recognized metric that closely aligns with other measures of mental health and well-being.

Departmental result 3: Indigenous Peoples have access to quality federally-funded health services

ISC recognizes that the accessibility of quality federally-funded health services is key to achieving physical and mental wellness for Indigenous Peoples. For example, ISC funds or directly provides primary care services in 79 remote and isolated First Nations communities where there is very limited access to provincial health services, and supports a broad spectrum of health and continuing care services.

The Supplementary Health Benefits Program (also known as Non-Insured Health Benefits) provides registered First Nations and recognized Inuit with coverage for a range of medically necessary health benefits. In 2024-25, ISC will improve client access to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program by continuing to engage with the Assembly of First Nations on a multi-year joint review of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, and with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the National Inuit Committee on Health to identify opportunities to improve the delivery of benefits to eligible clients.

Long-term and continuing care programs allow community members of all ages to remain in their community by receiving the care they need in their homes. In 2024-25, ISC will support home and long-term care by:

• Continuing to work with First Nations and Inuit partners on advancing the development and implementation of the Long-Term and Continuing Care Framework.
• Beginning the co-development phase on options for the Métis Long-Term Continuing Care Framework, with implementation to follow in future years.
• Working with federal partners and First Nations and Inuit organizations to build capacity within communities to plan, develop and deliver comprehensive, culturally sensitive, accessible and effective home care services.
• Supporting community-led models of integrated care, community-led distinction-based approaches to palliative and end of life care and the use of Medical Assistance in Dying.
• Supporting the long-term and home health needs of the pediatric population through Indigenous-led, community-based programming, to complement the existing services available through Jordan's Principle.

Achieving good mental and physical wellness requires having access to high quality primary health care, particularly in remote and isolated communities where access to provincial services and available resources are limited. In 2024-25, ISC will help facilitate access and continuity of care through planned activities such as:

• Continuing to implement the five-year Budget 2021 investment of $354 million for clinical client care, which aims to increase the number of nurses and other medical professionals in remote and isolated First Nations communities.
• Ensuring a stable health workforce with continued implementation of strategies to assist with the recruitment and retention of oral health providers, and the Nursing Talent Requisition Strategy to support the nursing workforce in Indigenous communities.
• Supporting the creation of safer working conditions for front line health professionals.
• Working with provincial/territorial drug shortage groups and Health Canada to navigate drug shortage situations.
• Promoting digital healthcare technologies to connect First Nations individuals, families and communities in remote areas with access to medical professionals and services.

In 2024-25, ISC will continue working with Indigenous partners to transform health systems and advance new and progressive approaches to improve services and support Indigenous Peoples to independently determine and deliver high quality health services by:

• Continuing to manage federal responsibilities related to innovative health transformation projects through supporting Indigenous-led design and delivery of federally-funded health services, and being an active funding and governance partner to the First Nations Health Authority.
• Continuing to build data capacity for Indigenous communities and increase the collection, access and use of health data, and facilitating transfer through the development of a robust Indigenous data network.
• Maintaining culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and Indigenous-based healthcare standards in Indigenous communities through accreditation.
• Increasing the number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis health care workers through the ongoing implementation of the Nursing Health Human Resources Framework and the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative.

ISC will monitor progress on access to quality federally-funded health services through the First Nations Regional Health Survey which provides ISC with results on the perceived quality of health care service delivery in remote and isolated First Nations communities. The department will also measure progress on the transfer of health services to First Nations through funding agreements and the 10-year New Fiscal Relationship Grant. The target has increased to 95% for 2026-27 (previously targeted 94% by March 2024) based on current program funding to support the efforts and resources required to develop and maintain an Indigenous-led health plan.

Gender-based analysis plus

• A co-developed results framework for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, led by Employment and Social Development Canada, and the associated data to be collected by Indigenous partners is anticipated by March 2025. This presents an opportunity for greater data disaggregation as determined by Indigenous partners.
• Ongoing development of a new National Learning Management System for nurses to integrate considerations for gender identity and sexual orientation in relation to health conditions, risks and outcomes, assessment and management needs. Further considerations for culturally safe and inclusive care that meets the needs of diverse clients will be included as well.
• The National Council of Indigenous Midwives is gathering evidence for further investments in Indigenous midwifery by focusing on understanding the protective role that Indigenous midwives and doulas can play. Ongoing work with the Indigenous Women's Advisory Committee will help ensure gender-diverse and gender-inclusive voices are reflected in policy development and program design. This work includes improving access to culturally safe sexual and reproductive healthcare, and in particular, ending the forced and/or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Departmental result 4: Indigenous Peoples are culturally safe and socially well

ISC works in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, provincial and territorial governments, federal departments, and stakeholders to address issues of family violence by providing funding for emergency shelters, transition homes, second-stage housing, and violence prevention programming for Indigenous women, children, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and families. Uncertainties related to these activities, such as whether existing community safety programs meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples, and the need for an integrated approach to best support children and families, will be addressed in 2024-25 by:

• Engaging with Indigenous partners and shelter and transitional housing providers on the redevelopment of the national funding formula used to allocate operational funding to emergency shelters for Indigenous women, children, families, and 2SLGBTQI+ escaping violence, as well as integrating transitional housing into the funding model.
• Working with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indigenous and Inuit partners on the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative (2021-22 to 2025-26) to establish 38 emergency shelters and 50 transitional homes across Canada (including in urban areas and the North).
• Increasing the percentage of recipient communities or organizations receiving funding through the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative, with focus on Inuit and Métis projects. In 2024-25, $31 million will be invested to support community safety and well-being initiatives in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. ISC will also begin groundwork analysis for options after the 5-year initiative ends in 2025-26.

Initiatives in this area contribute towards the department's mandate to support the safety and well being of Indigenous children, youth, and families through the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, ensuring fair and equitable compensation, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. ISC will advance these commitments in 2024-25 by:

• Advancing the implementation of immediate and ongoing measures, pursuant to the 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Merit Decision and the Agreement-in-Principle on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan's Principle signed December 31, 2021.
• Undertaking policy development, program research, and improved program delivery to support the long-term reform of the Child and Family Services Program, including transformation issues, the exploration of more effective and innovative ways to administer programs, while making progress towards the transfer of service delivery.
• Determining alternate engagement strategies to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and/or treaty rights holders views are represented in the reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
• Supporting efforts to renew existing Service Level Agreements that support the delivery of the First Nations Child and Family Services program through a collaborative approach with affected First Nations and provincial and Yukon governments by ensuring alignment with the principles of long-term reform.

In order to advance the safety and well-being of First Nations children, youth, and families, the department will monitor prevention-based supports aimed at keeping families together, the proportion of First Nations children on reserve in care and those who are placed with family members.

ISC continues to work with partners to fully implement the framework of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth and families (the Act), and advance priorities of Indigenous communities to reclaim jurisdiction in areas that matter to them as the department explores ways to transition away from the Indian Act. In 2024-25, ISC will support these mandates by:

• Continuing to support Indigenous governing bodies by delivering capacity-building funding as they explore and/or exercise jurisdiction in accordance within the framework of the Act.
• Supporting active participation at coordination agreement discussion tables with Indigenous governing bodies to maintain an Indigenous-focused, evergreen approach to adapt program policies and procedures, and provide funding.
• Undertaking the review of provisions and operation of the Act in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.
• Co-developing distinctions-based long term funding frameworks for the exercise of jurisdiction.
• Strengthening data capacity with Indigenous groups, communities and peoples and establishing Child and Family Services performance measurement systems and approaches.

The Income Assistance program ensures eligible individuals and families residing on reserve and in the Yukon receive funds to cover the basic expenses of daily living, and provides pre-employment services designed to help them transition to the workforce. In 2024-25, the department will continue to provide support by:

• Delivering essential needs and working with First Nations communities to understand the emerging needs of low-income individuals and families on reserve.
• Monitoring emerging needs of low-income individuals and families on reserve due to the ongoing impact of high inflation and increased costs of living.
• Developing a new digital system that will allow for timely evidence-based decision making for eligible recipients.
• Working with First Nations to transfer service delivery of the Income Assistance program through New Fiscal Relationship and Self-Government agreements.
• Supporting capacity-building for First Nations organizations that deliver Income Assistance training.

The effectiveness of the Income Assistance program's reach will be measured by monitoring the level of income assistance being delivered on reserve to support community needs. Program performance is measured in comparison to Income Assistance programs delivered by the provinces and territories; and provides information regarding labour force gaps and community self-sufficiency.

Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples assists First Nations, Inuit and Métis by providing financial support to a wide range of urban Indigenous organizations offering culturally appropriate programs and services. This supports vulnerable and at risk urban Indigenous populations (women and girls, seniors, persons with disabilities, and youth). In 2024-25, ISC plans on collaborating with key partners such as the National Association of Friendship Centers, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres and the National Urban Indigenous Coalition Council to co-develop a new Data Collection Instrument to understand and report on the fluctuations in program and service offerings. This will advance the program's efforts to improve the socio-economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas.

Gender-based analysis plus

• ISC will rely on engagement with Indigenous partners for informed decision-making on the redevelopment of funding formulae for family violence emergency shelters.
• Expanding the existing shelter network from mostly on reserve to additional locations across the country, and adding transition homes, will allow the department to reach previously underserved populations and bridge the gap between emergency shelters and a return to the community. By providing longer stays, those accessing the shelter will have increased opportunities to develop skills and abilities and become self-sufficient.
• By providing communities and non-profit Indigenous organizations with violence prevention and awareness funding through annual call for proposals, communities can focus on the subpopulations of their choosing (e.g. men and boys, victims of sex trafficking, etc.) while broadening its scope to include all of Canada and not solely activities on reserve, thereby increasing opportunities to address the needs of previously underserved populations (e.g. First Nations off reserve, Inuit, and Métis).
• Developing a new digital solution for Income Assistance to improve data elements in support of more effective and timely GBA Plus analyses. As a result, the department will be better placed to conduct policy and planning exercises and support program recipients.
• ISC will continue to monitor the impacts of the ongoing implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families on diverse groups of children and families. This will ensure the department is practicing cultural humility and safety, advancing inclusive, psychological and culturally safe environment for all employees, while also applying GBA Plus to litigation management.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Departmental result 5: Indigenous students are progressing in their education

ISC's measures for elementary and secondary educational attainment reflect Indigenous perspectives on educational success. The department will place a particular focus on advancing education success in planning its activities in 2024-25 by:

• Increasing the number of First Nations students participating and progressing in their education.
• Contributing to closing the education attainment gap by helping First Nations students achieve levels of secondary education comparable to non-Indigenous students in Canada.
• Collaborating with partners to refine and update Interim Funding Formulas to support, culturally-appropriate education programming.
• Providing funding opportunities for First Nations to explore and develop their vision for sustained and improved education outcomes through the Education Partnerships Program.
• Support partners in developing and implementing their long-term vision for educational success.
• Continuing the delivery of the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Centres Program, the Research and Learning Program, the Innovation in Education Program and the High-Cost Special Education Policy.
• Expanding access to adult education through the $350 million over 5 years announced in Budget 2021 to First Nations on reserve and status First Nations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
• Engaging with First Nations partners on specific adult education-related components of the broader elementary and secondary performance measurement framework.

ISC will measure the number of First Nations under transformative education models such as regional education agreements as an indicator of First Nations control of First Nations education.

Graduation from secondary school is an internationally-recognized measure of kindergarten to Grade 12 success. In order to more accurately assess the progress of educational attainment for on-reserve First Nations students, both "on time" and "extended time" graduation rates will continue to be measured to help evaluate whether the secondary school graduation rate gaps among First Nations students and non-Indigenous students are closing.

Similarly, ISC is working to better meet education needs by improving access to post-secondary education programming and funding for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation students, as well as strategies and programs that allow First Nations and Inuit Youth to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

In 2024-25, the department will continue to collaborate with Employment and Social Development Canada and other federal departments to support the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy, while working to expand the Terms and Conditions and modernize the program based on recommendations stemming from engagement completed in 2022-23.

ISC will also continue to work closely with partners by:

• Implementing the Post-Secondary Education Strategies developed for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation to better meet the needs of students and institutions, and report on their respective outcomes.
• Developing long-term regional First Nations Post-Secondary Education models, while exploring funding options and conducting analysis to enhance flexibility through the program Terms and Conditions.

Post-secondary education performance indicators have been developed with partners and ISC will look to measure the number of funded First Nation, Inuit and Métis students who graduate with a post-secondary degree/diploma/certificate, as graduation is a key measure of post-secondary student success and it impacts labour force participation. ISC will use distinctions-specific data to demonstrate the number of First Nations post-secondary students supported from year to year.

Gender-based analysis plus

• A comprehensive performance framework for adult education will be co-developed with First Nations partners for implementation in 2024-25 and will include indicators measuring educational impacts on adult participation in education programming, as well as qualitative evaluation elements to assess the short, mid and long-term impacts on adult education.
• Work will continue with First Nations partners to meet the goal of substantive equality in funding First Nations elementary and secondary education and ensure that First Nations children and students of all genders are supported.
• Investments will continue towards full-day kindergarten for children ages 4 and 5, before and after school programming, language and culture, as well as access to free menstrual products for students attending schools on-reserve.
• Factors perpetuating the longstanding gap between Indigenous populations and non-Indigenous Canadians will be addressed through the distinctions-based post-secondary education strategies.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Departmental result 6: Indigenous communities have sustainable land management and infrastructure

Community Infrastructure supports reliable and sustainable infrastructure for on-reserve First Nation communities such as housing, education facilities, health infrastructure, water and wastewater, and other community infrastructure. Through the development and delivery of social and economic programs and services, ISC continues to provide First Nations with the flexibility needed to shift their procurement and construction plans should unforeseen events arise (i.e. supply chain issues, climate change challenges). Environmental programs work closely alongside to ensure that infrastructure projects proceed with minimal environmental impacts.

Gender-based analysis plus

• Programs such as Community Infrastructure and the First Nations Waste Management Initiative, will look to strengthen capacities in 2024-25 to better integrate GBA Plus considerations and data collection into infrastructure planning and performance measurement.
• ISC will begin looking at the graduating rates of children in First Nations communities where education infrastructure funding has been provided. This data analysis will be compared to past graduation rates to measure the impacts that improved education facilities may have on student retention.
• ISC will continue to work with the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association to collect data – on a voluntary basis – to ensure the responsiveness of the Professional Land Management Certification Program to the diverse needs of its participants.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Departmental result 7: Indigenous communities are progressing in their business and economic growth

Community economic development provides support and funding to assist communities in planning for economic opportunities that reflect Indigenous ways of being and knowing. In 2024-25, ISC will ensure that business support programs are as inclusive as possible by:

• Supporting Indigenous-led policy development in support of an Economic Reconciliation Framework and responding to key policy priorities advanced by Indigenous partners.
• Continuing to drive progress on the minimum of 5% target for federal contracts held by Indigenous businesses.
• Co-developing a Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy with Indigenous partners as an Indigenous-informed policy framework for a longer-term approach to federal Indigenous procurement.
• Increasing the number of Indigenous businesses in the Indigenous Business Directory, as well as increasing participation of Indigenous suppliers in federal procurement.
• Enabling Inuit firms to compete for government contracts by funding contribution agreements for projects.
• Implementing economic development funding for First Nation and Inuit communities South of 60.

ISC is continuing to enhance existing economic programs and policies and will work with Indigenous partners to develop options for a future state where these initiatives/programs align with the principles of the United Nations Declaration Act by:

• Introducing regulatory amendments to the Indian Referendum Regulations to ensure Indigenous priorities and interests are integrated into international economic development activities.
• Advancing Indigenous economic development interests in international opportunities through international collaborative research projects and bilateral and multilateral trade initiatives.
• Increasing access to economic development programs such as the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program to increase the number of viable businesses in Canada owned and controlled by Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Addressing the 2023-24 Evaluation of the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development Program and finalizing the program's Management Control Framework.
• Modernizing the Indian Oil and Gas Regulations and advancing First Nations Assertion of Jurisdiction through a multi-year workplan. The support of on-reserve oil and gas activities result in lease and royalty revenues, providing Indigenous communities with economic growth.

Gender-based analysis plus

• Trends will be reviewed to identify potential barriers for First Nations communities accessing funding through the Community Opportunity Readiness Program. Research is underway to look at adding access for Métis partners to the program and increasing access for Inuit communities.
• New initiatives under the Strategic Partnership Initiative will require a gender-based plus analysis at the proposal stage to ensure barriers and risks are identified at an early stage.
• Environmental regulatory requirements will be revised to better address First Nations concerns, including those of community members with a range of diverse, intersectional identities (e.g., women, elders, youth, two-spirited) and people who follow a traditional lifestyle that rely on the land.
• As Canada continues to consult on the Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy, a gender-based analysis plus lens will continue to be applied to ensure equity is achieved for procurement opportunities.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Departmental result 8: Indigenous communities have governance capacity and support for self-determination

In 2024-25, ISC will support the transfer of responsibilities, governance capacity and self-determination through the maintenance of core governance operations and service delivery by:

• Modernizing governance funding programs to meet the needs of Indigenous governance via the Governance Modernization Working Group and partners-led research and analysis.
• Co-developing policy options for governance capacity building program reforms, including those transitioning from Default Remediation.
• Providing holistic support to 22 participating First Nation communities through the Community Development Wrap-Around Initiative, which contributes to advancing the Indigenous Community Development National Strategy.
• Delivering 20 Indigenous Community Development Training sessions to approximately 500 federal employees.

The success of these efforts will be measured by tracking the number of communities certified by the First Nations Financial Management Board. It is also part of the eligibility criteria to enter into a New Fiscal Relationship Grant.

In 2024-25, ISC will work to make it easier for registered First Nations individuals to access the benefits, rights, programs and services to which they are entitled by:

• Increasing the number of newly registered individuals with the goal of 80% of registered First Nation population becoming active Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) cardholders.
• Completing a digital intake system that will allow submission of SCIS applications from individuals and expanding the number of trusted source partnerships to assist with registration and SCIS card applications.
• Ensuring 100% of registered annuitants who request their Treaty Annuities are paid and increase service offerings of treaty payments by launching a new system for treaty payment administration.
• Holding in-person treaty payment events in both community and urban centers.
• Supporting eligible First Nations to take on greater control of Trust Moneys and provide options to First Nations to adopt alternatives to or within sections 64, 66 and 69 of the Indian Act.
• Supporting estates-related proposals focused on solutions to identify a pathway for the transfer of the estates services program.

The flexibility of the New Fiscal Relationship Grant enhances First Nation communities' ability to control the design, delivery and management of services. Investments in capacity building initiatives support and advance self determination and help Indigenous communities to reclaim jurisdiction in areas that matter to them. In 2024-25, ISC will continue this work by:

• Expanding the uptake and categories of organizations providing services to First Nations in the Grant.
• Performing evaluations and risk-based monitoring, as well as contributing to responsive capacity supports for ongoing eligibility of the New Fiscal Relationship Grant.
• Ongoing policy co-development of a New Fiscal Relationship.
• Collaborating with partners to finalize an initial version of a National Outcome-Based Framework, which will measure socio-economic gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians.

ISC supports First Nation-led processes to transition away from the Indian Act, which is measured by the percentage of First Nations adopting alternatives to the Indian Act election system. In order to mitigate associated risks, ISC's work in 2024-25 will include:

• Facilitating First Nation development of customary election codes. ISC reviews proposed customary codes to ensure it meets the criteria set out in the Policy on Conversion to Community Election System.
• Increasing qualified electoral officers. ISC provides training to electoral officers on the First Nations Elections Act and the Indian Band Election Regulations.

In order to ensure that First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners have support to identify their data and data capacity needs, in 2024-25 ISC will advance the development and implementation of the innovative Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data initiative by:

• Advancing the development of draft policy on external data sharing and completing a report on barriers to data sharing.
• Ensuring the timely flow of funds to Indigenous Delivery Partners.
• Co-developing distinctions-based proposals for Indigenous-led statistical institutions.
• Completing Phase 2 of the funding proposal for the First Nations-led statistical institution and working towards completion of the Inuit and Métis data strategies.

Gender-based analysis plus

• The 2024-25 evaluation of the New Fiscal Relationship Grant will help identify potential barriers or adverse effects hindering diverse subpopulations from accessing the benefits of the Grant.
• Plans to expand eligibility in the New Fiscal Relationship Grant will enable organizations servicing subpopulations access to the benefits of the Grant.
• Perspectives of diverse subpopulations will be incorporated into research design, policy proposals and discussions with co-development partners.
• Access to services will be simplified through increased urban, on reserve and digital service offerings through Registration Administrators and mail-in applications.
• The Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data will support a stronger, more inclusive national statistical system, and improve the availability of Indigenous data, including data that can be disaggregated by key factors like gender and distinctions-group.

Additional plans can be found in the Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table.

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

ISC is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and will continue to explore all available avenues for increasing opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in federal procurement processes. The department is working in support of the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business and the mandatory minimum 5% Indigenous procurement requirement.

In support of the policy, procurement officials are well versed in Indigenous procurement, and various measures are incorporated into routine procurement requests to ensure that Indigenous elements have been considered for each request. Various communications activities have been undertaken to ensure awareness of the new directive.

Procurement officials continue to work closely with Government of Canada policy leads through participation in interdepartmental working groups to establish best practices for Indigenous procurement to be applied within the department.

While ISC surpassed its target in year 2022-23, and plans to achieve the same result for 2024-25, there is a risk that future departmental performance may be affected by the current number of Indigenous suppliers registered in the Indigenous Business Directory. The department relies on several large contracts with a limited supplier base, and there is a risk that any changes in these contracts could significantly affect results. To enhance overall results, the Government of Canada will need to increase awareness with Indigenous businesses on the advantages of being listed on the Indigenous Business Directory and further improve the capacity of the Indigenous Business community to compete for government contracts. This is vital as all departments compete for a limited pool of Indigenous suppliers. In 2024-25, ISC will work with policy authorities in exploring all options for qualified vendors that can be included in the plans and results, within established policy guidelines, with the intention of adding to the success of meeting or exceeding the established target.