2020-21 Operating context

As part of the journey towards reconciliation, the Government of Canada has taken an important step to renew the relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on the affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, by announcing a profound shift in the way the Government delivers services and advances self-determination and self-government of Indigenous peoples.

In order to develop structures that are better aligned to support reconciliation, in August 2017, the Prime Minister announced the intention to create 2 new departments:

• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) will advance nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships, support Indigenous peoples' vision of self-determination, and lead the Government of Canada's work in the North
• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), created in November 2017, will improve access to high-quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis; support and empower Indigenous peoples to control the delivery of those services; and improve the socio-economic conditions, quality of life and safety in their communities

In July 2019, legislation formally established the mandates of CIRNAC and ISC. There is now historic opportunity to make lasting change and move away from colonial and paternalistic approaches — towards a new era of collaboration with Indigenous peoples — based upon respect and the affirmation and implementation of rights.