Highlights of Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework
A shared vision of the future where Arctic and northern people are thriving, strong and safe.
On this page
Who we are partnering with
The Government of Canada launched Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework on September 10, 2019. For the first time, the federal government worked with Indigenous representatives and 6 territorial and provincial governments to define and co-develop this long-term vision. It was co-developed for the North, in partnership with the North, to reflect the needs and priorities of the North. It embodies the essential principal of "Nothing about us, without us".
This whole-of-government co-development process has been supported by:
- 3 territorial governments: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- over 25 Indigenous partners representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis including governments and regional and national organizations
- 3 provincial governments: Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador
The framework is being implemented by more than 33 federal government departments and agencies that play a role and have responsibilities or interests in the Arctic and northern regions of Canada.
Framework goals
The framework builds on 8 overarching and interconnected goals.
Canadian Arctic and northern Indigenous peoples are resilient and healthy
Strengthened infrastructure that closes gaps with other regions of Canada
Strong, sustainable, diversified and inclusive local and regional economies
Knowledge and understanding guides decision-making
Canadian Arctic and northern ecosystems are healthy and resilient
The rules-based international order in the Arctic responds effectively to new challenges and opportunities
The Canadian Arctic and North and its people are safe, secure and well-defended
Reconciliation supports self-determination and nurtures mutually-respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Key milestones in the co-development of the framework
- December 2016: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to co-developing a new Arctic Policy Framework, with Northerners and Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners
- March 2017 to March 2018: roundtable engagements held with Arctic and northern residents, youth and key experts and stakeholders, including industry, academics and non-governmental organizations
- November 2017: discussion guide released to facilitate public engagement on the framework
- Spring 2018 to Spring 2019: drafting and validation of framework with partners. Validation engagements, led by Parliamentary Secretary Yvonne Jones, took place in Arctic and northern communities
- Budget 2019: the 2019 federal budget included over $700 million in new and dedicated funding to support the framework
- September 2019: launch of Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework
Co-implementation
Initial framework co-implementation efforts by the Government of Canada and Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners have included:
- November 2020: the first Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting, which included an affirmation of the national approach to framework governance by federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners, as well as discussion of partners' priorities in the context of COVID recovery
- November 2020: Fall Economic Statement investments for the North
- 2020 and 2021: targeted COVID supports for the North
- Budget 2021: investments supporting the implementation of framework goals and objectives and the priorities of co-development partners, as outlined in their framework chapters
- December 2021: the second Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting, which included discussion of partners' priorities and of potential regional governance structures for the framework
- 2022: ongoing engagement with partners to discuss the establishment of regional governance structures that will provide a means of assessing progress on the framework and facilitate the development of implementation plans
- Budget 2022: investments that align with the priorities expressed by framework partners at the 2021 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting, including:
- housing
- supports for mental health and wellness
- measures relating to climate change impacts and adaptation
- distinctions-based measures to express self-determination
- September 2022: the third annual Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting, the agenda of which included updates on Arctic and northern defence and security and critical minerals in the North, as well as discussion on partner priorities such as infrastructure and housing, health and wellness support, climate change and education
- Budget 2023: new investments that align with the priorities expressed by framework partners at the 2022 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting and will contribute to implementing the co-developed framework goals and objectives, including in areas such as:
- housing
- economic development
- climate and environment
- filling knowledge gaps
- 2023 to 2024: new chapters to the framework, published as completed, will serve as a means of describing additional priorities of framework partners
- October 2023: the fourth annual Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting, the agenda of which included updates on Arctic and Northern security and defence, international policy and the international chapter of the Framework, as well as the vision of the Framework and next steps. Partner priorities such as housing and infrastructure, economic development, mental health and addictions, climate change, and food security were also discussed
Federal reporting on the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework is done through annual parliamentary reports and through other means chosen by CIRNAC, as the lead federal department, and by other applicable departments. For more information on the framework as a horizontal initiative, please consult: Horizontal initiatives: Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.
Options for multi-partner reporting mechanisms will be co-developed with partners and included on applicable workplans with the agreement of all relevant partners to the framework.