Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs on the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B)

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs

December 8, 2022

Table of contents

Overview

Scenerio Note

Logistics

Date: December 8, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location (hybrid): In-person (Room 415, Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street) and virtual (zoom details TBD)
Subject: Briefing on CIRNAC's Supplementary Estimates (B), 2022-2023

Appearing

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

First Panel (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)

  • In person:
    • Minister of Northern Affairs, Dan Vandal, P.C., M.P.
    • Paula Isaak, Associate Deputy Minister
    • Darlene Bess, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer
    • Georgina Lloyd, Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs
    • Véronique Côté, Director General, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer Sector
  • Virtual:
    • Wayne Walsh, Director General, Northern Affairs

Second Panel (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm)

  • In person:
    • Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
    • Daniel Quan-Watson, Deputy Minister
    • Darlene Bess, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer
    • Garima Dwivedi, Assistant Deputy Minister, Resolution and Partnerships
    • Véronique Côté, Director General, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer Sector
    • Georgina Lloyd, Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs
  • Virtual:
    • Chantal Marin-Comeau, Director General, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Secretariat
    • Martin Reiher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government
    • Heather McLean, Assistant Deputy Minister, Implementation Sector

Context

Committee Membership

MP Marc Garneau (LIB) (Chair), former cabinet minister and MP for the riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, has argued that this government is "the first government to commit not only to reconciliation but also to correcting many of the wrongs that exist with respect to indigenous peoples, and we did so as soon as we came to power in 2015" (Hansard, February 18, 2021)

MP Michael V. Mcleod (LIB) will likely ask questions that pertain to communities in his riding in the Northwest Territories. He has indicated the importance of improving infrastructure. He was also involved in an announcement on February 3, 2022, on the $3.2 million to help create 14 units of transitional homes in Hay River for women and children fleeing violence. At the March 25, 2022 INAN committee meeting on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (C), he asked a question relating to Nutrition North.

MP Patrick Weiler (LIB)'s key interests are tourism, labour, housing and affordability. Last fall, he acknowledged the role all Canadians should play in addressing the legacy of residential schools and reconciliation. "Part of reconciliation is about building an understanding & repairing relationships to move towards healing" (Twitter, September 30, 2021). At the March 25, 2022 INAN committee meeting on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (C), he asked questions relating to land claims and modern treaties.

MP Marcus Powlowski (LIB) has spoken about the need for more mental health resources for Indigenous people. "Although our Government has done a lot to address addictions, mental health and the opioid crisis, I do not think we have been as successful as we would like to be." (Hansard, February 8, 2022) At the March 25, 2022 INAN committee meeting on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (C), he asked questions relating to: post-secondary education funding, provincial roadways, and indigenous policing.

MP Jaime Battiste (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, has been a strong advocate for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues throughout his career. He has spoken about the inequalities that Indigenous people face, and the effects of poverty on Indigenous youth. During this study, he has asked about the roles that the Red Cross and the Canadian Armed Forces play during emergency situations. "For any leaders who have woken up to this kind of disaster, I'm wondering if you could give us this very compactly: What is the role the Red Cross plays in comparison to what the defence department does?" (INAN, October 4, 2022)

MP Jaime Schmale (CPC) (Vice-Chair) Vice-Chair of the Committee and CPC Critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations, has been vocal on a wide range of Indigenous issues. Since the publishing of the Auditor General report on Emergency Management in First Nations Communities, MP Schmale has raised the report three times in the House of Commons – twice in Question Period and once via Members' Statements. "If the Minister was truly going to fund projects, why not fund the 112 infrastructure projects that would build dikes, culverts, and ditches to hel pmtigate the effects of climate change instead of spending three and a half times more relocating people, housing them and rebuilding the communities after the disaster hits?" (Hansard, November 18, 2022)

MP Gary Vidal (CPC), is the CPC Critic for Indigenous Services. He has spoken on a wide range of Indigenous issues, including about the lack of funding allocated to Indigenous communities in the Prairies, as well as the need for better housing. He recently substituted onto the Standing Committee on Public Accounts during the appearance of ISC officials and the AG on Report 8. During that meeting he asked the AG what action ISC needed to undertake to make more tangible progress; and he asked DM Wilson about the signing of multilateral agreements for emergency management and the AG's analysis that the departmental split of INAC into ISC and CIRNAC has resulted in more funding, but not improved results. (PACP, November 25, 2022)

Eric Melillo (CPC) is the CPC Critic for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. He has been engaged on topics such as economic development opportunities in remote, rural and northern communities, especially northern Ontario. During the appearance of the AG, he asked about the bridge project in Pikangikum First Nation which would link the community to Provincial roads, as well as for the total cost of the 112 projects awaiting funding referenced in the OAG Report. (INAN, November 28, 2022)

MP Bob Zimmer (CPC) is the CPC Critic for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty, as well as the Critic for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. He has asked questions around fisheries, and military capabilities in the North and Arctic Sovereignty. During the appearance of the AG he asked for examples of the 112 approved infrastructure projects that were awaiting funding. (INAN, November 28, 2022)

MP Marilène Gill (BQ) (Vice-Chair), critic of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, has posed questions at INAN in previous years about Indigenous rights, food security in the North, and the lack of progress in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. At the March 25, 2022 INAN committee meeting on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (C), she asked questions relating to: housing, UNDRIP costs, Residential School document disclosure, unmarked burial sites and CTAs 72-76.

MP Lori Idlout (NDP), the critic of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, will likely focus her questions on housing and the economy in Nunavut. At the March 25 INAN committee meeting on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (C), he asked questions relating to: elder care, mental health supports, economic development, clean energy, infrastructure spending, progress on CTAs, and Nutrition North.

Recent INAN studies, reports and government responses
  • Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation
  • Government response to the "The Effects of the Housing Shortage on Indigenous Peoples in Canada" (Presented to the House: October 17, 2022)
  • Arctic Sovereignty, Security and Emergency Preparedness of Indigenous Peoples
  • Administration and Accessibility of Indigenous Peoples to the NIHB Program
  • Government response to the "Barriers to Economic Development in Indigenous Communities" (Presented to the House: September 15, 2022)
In the Media

At a recent meeting of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (APPA) on November 15, 2022, the Parliamentary Budget Officer had an exchange with Senator Arnot (ISG) regarding the increased spending by CIRNAC and ISC despite shortcomings in meeting performance indicators, and how best to hold the departments to account. The PBO suggested that one way to remedy this issue is for committees to ask key individuals in each department to testify and explain how they established their performance indicators.

Meeting proceedings

The meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2022, and will be a hybrid meeting.

Witnesses who are appearing virtually will be asked to access the meeting 30 minutes prior to its start to conduct sound/video/connectivity checks. The Zoom link will be sent directly from the House of Commons to the witnesses.

The Chair will call the meeting to order and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. He will then introduce the witnesses and invite the Ministers to deliver opening remarks. 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)

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

Other information for appearing in-person

  • Witnesses should arrive early so they may go through security, especially those without a Hill pass
  • There is a maximum of 4 witnesses at the table and 8 in the public gallery in total.

Opening Remarks

Speaking notes for The Honourable Dan Vandal

Kwe kwe, Ullukkut [Ood-loo-koot], Tansi, hello, bonjour!

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we come together on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people.

I'm glad to be here with you today to discuss and respond to your questions on the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B) for Northern Affairs.

Joining me today are Paula Isaak, Associate Deputy Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and President of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency; and Darlene Bess, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer.

Supplementary Estimates B for 2022-23

CIRNAC's final Supplementary Estimates for 2022-23 reflect a net increase of $6.3 billion, and of that, $130.8 million is for Northern Affairs.

Northern Food Security

My department continues to work on a number of priorities together with Indigenous, territorial and Northern partners. One of the most pressing, and a significant part of these supplementary estimates, is addressing food insecurity across the North and Arctic, because everyone deserves access to affordable and healthy food, no matter where they live.

Much has been said about Nutrition North over the last few weeks and months. I'd like to be clear – no one government program will address food insecurity on its own which is why we are taking a whole of government approach.

New funding for Northern Affairs includes $87.5 million in grant funding for Northern Food Security, which was allocated through Budget 2021 and will allow the Nutrition North Canada grant and contribution program to better support local food systems in communities across the North and Arctic.

This initiative also broadens the Harvesters Support Grant with additional funding for the new Community Food Programs Fund to support food sharing activities that include market, country, and locally grown foods.

Together, the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs mark a fundamental shift by empowering communities to determine and action their own food security priorities. These new measures were co-developed in full partnership and reflect the priorities of Northerners.

I recognize, like the Member for Nunavut, that many Hunters and Trappers may not be aware of this program, and I offer my support to her to help share information about this important program that delivers funding to communities through recipient organizations, including Inuit Land Claims Organizations.

Climate Change

With respect to climate change and cleaner energy, communities in the North and Arctic are seeing the effects of climate change at a much higher and drastic rate than in the rest of Canada. It's impacting traditional way of life, infrastructure, migration patterns, sea ice levels, coastal erosion and more. These estimates also include $5.5 million to support assessments of its impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management in Indigenous and Northern communities, and to identify adaptation options.

Clean Energy

Many Northern and Arctic communities have no choice but to rely on costly and polluting diesel to light and heat their homes. The estimates also include $6.2 million of reprofiled contribution funding for Clean Energy Projects in the North, allowing for "by the North, for the North" solutions to support the transition of Indigenous and remote communities to clean energy and reduce reliance on diesel over time.

The two streams consist of $2.2 million for community clean energy and $4 million to support planning and feasibility for hydroelectricity and grid-interconnection projects in the North.

Just last month I travelled to Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit to announce our government's support for feasibility and planning of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project ($7 million) and the Iqaluit Hydro-Electricity Project ($4 million). This important project aims to get Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit off-diesel an onto cleaner, renewable energy.

Advancing a circular economy for plastic in canada

As part of our efforts to clean up our environment, there is also $1 million in new funding to begin collecting data to address plastic pollution in Northern environments. This will support coordinated generation, collection and management of scientific and environmental data and Indigenous knowledge.

Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Contaminated Sites

There is also $28.5 million being brought forward from the previous year for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to advance planned remediation activities in 2022-23.

This reprofile will support the reduction of risk to human health and the environment, and will ensure that affected communities see the social and economic benefits of these clean ups.

Conclusion

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to appear before you today and provide a summary of how these Supplementary Estimates will support Northern Affairs.

Meegwetch. Qujannamiik [Koo-ya-na-meek]. Marci. Thank you. Merci.

NA 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B)

Detail by Organization

Organization Summary
Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities To Date
Transfers Adjustments
Budgetary Voted
1b Operating expenditures 1 281,594,356 2,129,133 3,796,786,883 5 080,510,372
5b Capital expenditures 546,670 546,670
10b Grants and contributions 6,034,857,536 50,121,582 2,498,285,541 8,583,264,659
Total Voted 7,316,998,562 52,250,715 6,295,072,424 13,664,321,701
Total Statutory 33,934,529 1,550,090 35,484,619
Total Budgetary Expenditures 7,350,933,091 52,250,715 6,296,622,514 13,699,806,320
Non-Budgetary Voted
L15 Loans to Indigenous claimants 25,903,000 25,903,000
Total Non-Budgetary Expenditures 25,903,000 25,903,000
Explanation of Requirements (dollars)
Budgetary Voted Appropriations Vote 1b Vote 10b Total
Funding for out-of-court settlements (PENDING) 2,951,120,662 2,951,120,662
Funding for replenishment of the Specific Claims Settlement Fund 677,611,938 677,611,938
Funding for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims 673,533,823 673,533,823
Funding for childhood claims, abuse compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements 672,995,236 672,995,236
Funding for self-governing and modern treaty First Nation, Inuit, and Métis housing (Budget 2022) (This item received funding from Treasury Board Vote 5 – Government Contingencies) 1,062,155 457,155,909 458,218,064
Funding to advance reconciliation by settling specific claims 297,038,035 297,038,035
Funding to implement the federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools (Budget 2022) (horizontal item) 3,781,204 113,666,926 117,448,130
Funding for the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement 99,951,865 99,951,865
Funding for northern food security: seeding local food systems in the North 1,096,880 86,226,000 87,322,880
Funding to support the lifecycle infrastructure approach for existing Self-Government Agreement holders 39,807,011 39,807,011
Funding to support modern treaty implementation 917,105 38,620,633 39,537,738
Funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program 28,521,619 28,521,619
Funding for Comprehensive Claims and Self-Government Agreements 25,484,764 25,484,764
Funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76 20,316,753 20,316,753
Funding for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program 20,000,000 20,000,000
Funding for the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement (McLean) 13,813,787 13,813,787
Funding for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 13,160,891 13,160,891
Funding for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement 10,341,466 10,341,466
Funding for negotiations with Treaty 8 First Nations to modernize past annuities under the Numbered Treaties (horizontal item) 1,393,021 8,253,913 9,646,934
Funding to support Indigenous participation in the papal visit to Canada (horizontal item) 7,191,708 7,191,708
Funding for the Investments in Indigenous youth for the advancement of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66 25,530 6,250,000 6,275,530
Funding for clean energy 6,176,721 6,176,721
Funding to advance reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights issues and fisheries with Atlantic and 5,500,000 5,500,000
Funding for assessments of climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management in Indigenous communities and identifying adaptation options 384,277 5,000,000 5,384,277
Funding to support Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations 2,540,573 2,540,573
Funding for the Gottfriedson litigation settlement 2,284,656 2,284,656
Funding to advance the implementation and operationalization of Indigenous children and family servicesʼ laws (Budget 2022) (PENDING) (horizontal item) 1,516,458 1,516,458
Funding for Canadaʼs tobacco strategy 1,000,000 1,000,000
Funding for advancing a circular economy for plastics in Canada (Budget 2022) (horizontal item) 389,254 595,850 985,104
Funding for the Federal Contaminated Site Action Plan 250,000 250,000
Funding for the Nunavut devolution 95,801 95,801
Total Voted Appropriations 6,295,072,424
Total Statutory Appropriations 1,550,090
Transfers
Vote 1b Vote 10b Total
Transfers from Other Organizations
From the Department of Employment and Social Development to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support Indigenous Skills and Employment Training and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care 27,087,752 27,087,752
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support the Canada-wide early learning and child care system 6,483,029 6,483,029
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support before and after school programming and refinements 5,696,313 5,696,313
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support other community infrastructure projects 2,500,000 2,500,000
From the Public Health Agency of Canada to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care 1,900,117 1,900,117
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support the Nunatsiavut Government in delivering the Inuit Post-secondary Education Strategy 1,523,242 1,523,242
From the Department of National Defence to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for costs associated with access, control and property maintenance of the former Camp Ipperwash 1,500,000 1,500,000
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for out-of-court settlements 1,460,838 1,460,838
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support distinctions-based mental wellness 1,251,730 1,251,730
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support the Kativik Regional Government in delivering the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy 946,208 946,208
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support post-secondary education investments for self-governing Indigenous governments in the Yukon 523,082 523,082
From the Treasury Board Secretariat to various organizations to support projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal government operations 419,000 419,000
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support family violence prevention investments for self-governing Indigenous governments in the Yukon 343,246 343,246
From the Department of Justice to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support activities related to engagement with Indigenous Partners regarding the modernization of the Privacy Act Vote 10b 247,500
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support the delivery of innovation in education programming through the Mi'kmaq Education Agreement Vote 10b 120,150
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to provide a funding adjustment to the self-government grants for First Nations for the 2022-23 school year Vote 10b 112,089
From the Department of National Defence to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to review an access agreement to the Cold Lake air weapons range Vote 10b 93,500
From Treasury Board Secretariat to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support activities related to engagement with Indigenous Partners regarding the conducting the Access to Information Act Review Vote 10b 72,919
Internal Transfers
Internal reallocation of resources to support a project related to the standardization of missing persons data through the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police 279,295 -279,295 -
Transfers to Other Organizations
From various organizations to the Treasury Board Secretariat to support the Capacity Accelerator Project -30,000 -30,000
Total Transfers 52,250,715
Total Budgetary 6,348,873,229
Listing of Transfer Payments
(dollars) Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Grants
Grants to First Nations to settle specific claims negotiated by Canada and/or awarded by the Specific Claims Tribunal, and to Indigenous groups to settle special claims 3,227,853,678 1,648,193,263 4,876,046,941
Grants to implement comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements and other agreements to address Section 35 Rights 1,395,072,144 579,999,509 1,975,071,653
Grants to land claim organizations, self-government agreement holders and First Nations organizations to support harvesting of country foods and to Support Local Food Systems 72,526,000 64,526,000 137,052,000
Grant to the University of Manitoba to support the construction of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliationʼs new headquarters 59,665,068 59,665,068
Grants to Universities and Indigenous Institutions for the Purpose of Research Related to Food Security and its Causal Factors 700,000 700,000
Grants for the Political Evolution of the Territories, particularly as it pertains to Devolution 8,500,036 95,801 8,595,837
Contributions
Contributions to address the legacy of residential schools 54,001,858 54,001,858
Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development 102,300,883 37,986,657 140,287,540
Contributions to support the negotiation and implementation of Treaties, Claims and self-government agreements or initiatives 385,312,281 34,043,221 419,355,502
Contributions to support access to healthy foods in isolated northern communities 45,816,123 21,000,000 66,816,123
Contributions to support the establishment and revitalization of cultural spaces in Indigenous communities 86,400,000 20,000,000 106,400,000
Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development for Indigenous Peoples and the North 61,114,151 12,022,571 73,136,722
Federal Interlocutorʼs Contribution Program 201,350,151 9,311,615 210,661,766
Contributions to support Métis housing 4,942,560 4,942,560
Contributions to Promote Social and Political Development in the North and for northerners 10,101,053 1,919,000 12,020,053
Listing of Statutory Authorities
Budgetary Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates (dollars) Proposed Authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 27,742,823 1,550,090 29,292,913
Items for inclusion in the Proposed Schedule 1 to the Appropriation Bill
(for the financial year ending March 31, 2023)
Vote No. Items Amount ($)
Vote 1b
  • Operating expenditures
  • Expenditures on works, buildings and equipment
  • Authority to make expenditures — recoverable or otherwise — on work performed on property that is not federal property and on services provided in respect of that property
  • Authority to provide, in respect of Indian and Inuit economic development activities, for the capacity development for Indians and Inuit and the furnishing of materials and equipment
  • Authority to sell electric power to private consumers in remote locations when alternative local sources of supply are not available, in accordance with terms and conditions approved by the Governor in Council
  • Authority, as referred to in paragraph 29.1(2)(a) of the Financial
  • Administration Act, to expend in the fiscal year — in order to offset related expenditures that it incurs in that fiscal year — revenues that it receives in that fiscal year from the provision of internal support services under section 29.2 of that Act
  • The payment to each member of the King's Privy Council for Canada who is a minister without portfolio, or a minister of State who does not preside over a ministry of State, of a salary — paid annually or pro rata for any period less than a year — that does not exceed the salary paid under the Salaries Act, rounded down to the nearest hundred dollars under section 67 of the Parliament of Canada Act, to ministers of State who preside over ministries of State
3,796,786,883
Vote 10b
  • The grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year
  • Contributions
2,498,285,541
Total 6,295,072,424
Statutory Forecasts
Budgetary Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates (dollars) Proposed Authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 27,742,823 1,550,090 29,292,913
Grants to Aboriginal organizations designated to receive claim settlement payments pursuant to Comprehensive Land Claim Settlement Acts 4,125,988 4,125,988
Payments to comprehensive claim beneficiaries in compensation for resource royalties (Comprehensive Land Claim Settlement Acts) 1,865,718 1,865,718
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations – Salary and motor car allowance (Salaries Act and Parliament of Canada Act) 92,500 92,500
Minister of Northern Affairs – Salary and motor car allowance (Salaries Act and Parliament of Canada Act) 92,500 92,500
Grassy Narrows and Islington Bands Mercury Disability Board (Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act) 15,000 15,000
Total Budgetary 33,934,529 1,550,090 35,484,619
Expenditures by Purpose - Budgetary
Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Operating Capital Transfer Payments Revenues and other reductions Total
Crown-Indigenous Relations 6,437,809,714 3,767,481,065 2,448,143,751 6,215,624,816 12,653,434,530
Northern Affairs 731,024,909 30,521,579 100,263,372 130,784,951 861,809,860
Internal Services 126,403,962 2,463,462 2,463,462 128,867,424
Total 7,295,238,585 3,800,466,106 2,548,407,123 6,348,873,229 13,644,111,814
Total Budgetary 7,295,238,585 3,800,466,106 2,548,407,123 6,348,873,229 13,644,111,814
Expenditures by Purpose - Non-Budgetary
(dollars) Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Organizations not included in these Estimates 25,903,000 25,903,000
Total Non-budgetary 25,903,000 25,903,000

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

This table shows the forecast of total expenditures by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made and the funds to be credited to the vote.

Definitions of standard objects available at: Object codes for 2022 to 2023

Personnel
1
Transportation and communications
2
Information
3
Professional and special services
4
Information
5
Purchased repair and maintenance
6
Utilities, materials and supplies
7
Acquisition of land, buildings and works
8
Acquisition of machinery and equipment
9
Transfer payments
10
Public debt charges
11
Other subsidies and payments
12
Less: Revenues and other reductions Total
Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs 7,291,158 487,269 712,415 48,658,001 1,094,054 269,914 195,663 2,548,407,123 3,741,757,632 6,348,873,229
Total 7,291,158 487,269 712,415 48,658,001 1,094,054 269,914 195,663 2,548,407,123 3,741,757,632 6,348,873,229

Horizontal Items

The items listed in this table are horizontal initiatives and other jointly funded items. Both types of horizontal items generally involve two or more organizations with a formal funding agreement (e.g. Memorandum to Cabinet or Treasury Board submission). Through horizontal initiatives, the organizations work in partnership toward the achievement of shared outcomes. In jointly funded items, organizations receive incremental funding, and each independently contributes to the realization of the stated objective(s).

Horizontal Items Amount (dollars)
Funding to implement the federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools (Budget 2022) 117,448,130
Funding for negotiations with Treaty 8 First Nations to modernize past annuities under the Numbered Treaties 9,646,934
Funding to support Indigenous participation in the papal visit to Canada 7,191,708
Funding to advance the implementation and operationalization of Indigenous children and family servicesʼ laws (Budget 2022) (PENDING) 1,516,458
Funding for advancing a circular economy for plastics in Canada (Budget 2022) 985,104

Overview of Supplementary Estimates (B)

  • The 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B) includes key initiatives totaling approximately $6.3 billion.
  • Of that amount, $130.8 million is for Northern Affairs.
  • These funds are important to advance the work to create more economic opportunities and a higher quality of life in Canada's North.
  • The majority of these funds will be used for Northern Food Security.

If pressed on funding for Northern Food Security: Seeding Local Food Systems in the Nort

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $87.5 million of new funding to support the Nutrition North Canada's grant and contribution program.
  • This funding will permit the program to increase the retail subsidy budget to maintain pandemic level subsidy rates for nutritious foods and essential items.
  • This initiative broadens the Harvesters Support Grant with expanded terms and conditions. Additional funding is provided for the new Community Food Programs Fund component to support food sharing activities that include market, country, and locally grown foods.
  • It will also help to improve food security in northern and isolated communities by supporting access to traditional, market and locally produced food.

If pressed on funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program and on funding for the Federal Contaminated Site Action Plan

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) includes reprofiles of $28.5 million for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program and $0.3 million for the Federal Contaminated Site Action Plan.
  • These reprofiles will allow the Government of Canada to continue to meet the objective of reducing the risk to human health and the environment and the associated financial liability at federal contaminated sites.

If pressed on funding for Clean Energy

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $6.2 million to support the transition of Indigenous and remote communities to clean energy and reduce reliance on diesel.
  • This funding will contribute to Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, Emissions Reduction Plan and the Government of Canada's commitment to transition Indigenous and remote communities from diesel to renewable energy.
  • It will reduce reliance on imported diesel that is increasingly susceptible to supply chain disruptions and volatile markets.

If pressed on funding for assessments of climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management in Indigenous communities and identifying adaptation options

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $5.5 million of new funding to renew the First Nation Adapt program's flood mapping stream. The renewed program will continue to support First Nations participation in regional watershed management approaches, generating flood data using climate projections, and developing effective adaptation strategies.
  • This funding will ensure First Nation communities at risk of experiencing flooding are equipped with the information and tools they need to participate in climate change adaptation planning and improve their resilience to flooding by integrating climate risk into planning and decision-making for land-use, infrastructure, and others.
  • This will also support Indigenous and northern communities in their resilience to changing environments.

If pressed on funding for Advancing a Circular Economy for Plastics in Canada (Budget 2022) (horizontal item)

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) provides $1 million of new funding to continue contributing to the implementation of Canada's Plastics Science Agenda through its Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability Program by supporting the coordinated generation, collection and management of scientific and environmental data and Indigenous knowledge pertaining to plastics and microplastics in the environment.
  • This work will continue to build upon limited baseline information and will serve to establish geographic and temporal trends of plastic pollution in Arctic and Northern environments through the detection, quantification, and characterization of plastics and its impacts on the environment, wildlife, and potentially human health.

If pressed on funding for the Nunavut Devolution

  • Supplementary Estimates (B) includes a reprofile of $0.1 million to support Section 35 Consultation with Indigenous groups necessary to conclude the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement by the end of 2022.
  • This funding will ensure Indigenous Groups have access to funding so they can continue to meaningfully consult with Canada regarding whether devolution respects their existing and asserted section 35 rights.
  • Advancing the Nunavut devolution process strengthens federal, territorial, and Indigenous relations in the territory.
  • This will also advance political, social and economic development in Canada's Arctic and North.

Detailed Information on Supplementary Estimates (B)

Supplementary Estimates (B) 2022-23

Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on Government of Canada spending requirements not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates. Supplementary Estimates (B) are the second estimates for 2022-23.

[Redacted]

  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]

The 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B) reflects a net increase of $6,348.9 million, which includes $5,705.1 million in new funding, $566.0 million of reprofiled funding, $52.3 million of transfers from other government departments, and $25.5 million for technical adjustments.

CIRNAC's total budgetary authorities for 2022-23 will be $13.7 billion.

Organization Summary
2022-23 ME 2022-23 SEA 2022-23 Allotment Adjustments including TBVote 5*; OBCF and CBCF** Authorities to date These Supplementary Estimates - Transfers These Supplementary Estimates - Adjustments Total Proposed Authorities to Date
Budgetary Voted
1b Operating expenditures 972,219,379 293,898,854 15,476,122 1,281,594,355 2,129,133 3,796,786,883 3,798,916,016 5,080,510,371
5b Capital expenditures 328,287 218,383 546,670 546,670
10b Grants and contributions 4,803,938,947 1,190,918,589 40,000,000 6,034,857,536 50,121,582 2,498,285,541 2,548,407,123 8,583,264,659
Total Voted 5,776,486,613 1,484,817,443 55,694,505 7,316,998,561 52,250,715 6,295,072,424 6,347,323,139 13,664,321,700
Total Statutory 31,096,637 2,837,892 33,934,529 1,550,090 1,550,090 35,484,619
Total Budgetary Expenditures 5,807,583,250 1,487,655,335 55,694,505 7,350,933,090 52,250,715 6,296,622,514 6,348,873,229 13,699,806,319
Non-Budgetary Voted
L15 Loans to Indigenous claimants 25,903,000 25,903,000 25,903,000
Total Non-Budgetary Expenditures 25,903,000 25,903,000 25,903,000
Grand Total: Budgetary and Non-Budgetary 5,833,486,250 1,487,655,335 55,694,505 7,376,836,090 52,250,715 6,296,622,514 6,348,873,229 13,725,709,319
Not published
*[Redacted]
**[Redacted]
Explanation of Requirements 2022-23 – By Vote and Key Initiatives
Key Initiatives (in dollars) Slide Number Personnel Other Operating Costs Sub-Total Vote 1b Operating Grants Contributions Sub-Total Vote 10b Grants and contributions Voted Total Total Statutory Total
Funding for Out-of-Court-Settlements 8 2,894,000,000 2,894,000,000 2,894,000,000 2,894,000,000
Funding for replenishment of the Specific Claims Settlement Fund 9 677,611,938 677,611,938 677,611,938 677,611,938
Funding for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims 10 673,533,823 673,533,823 673,533,823 673,533,823
Funding for Childhood Claims, abuse compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements 11 10,827 672,984,409 672,995,236 672,995,236 2,923 672,998,159
Funding for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation, Inuit, and Métis housing (Budget 2022)1 12 752,542 309,613 1,062,155 450,294,349 6,861,560 457,155,909 458,218,064 203,187 458,421,251
Funding to Advance Reconciliation by Settling Specific Claims (Reprofile) 9 297,038,035 297,038,035 297,038,035 297,038,035
Funding to implement the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools (Budget 2022) (horizontal item) 13 1,454,157 2,327,047 3,781,204 59,665,068 54,001,858 113,666,926 117,448,130 392,622 117,840,752
Funding for the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement (Reprofile) 14 99,951,865 99,951,865 99,951,865 99,951,865
Funding for an out-of-court settlement (Reprofile) 8 45,000,000 45,000,000 45,000,000 45,000,000
Funding to Support the Lifecycle Infrastructure Approach for Existing Self-Government Agreement Holders 15 39,807,011 39,807,011 39,807,011 39,807,011
Funding to Implement Modern Treaties 16 768,421 148,684 917,105 25,863,571 12,757,062 38,620,633 39,537,738 207,474 39,745,212
Funding for Comprehensive Claims and Self-Government Agreements2 19,452,518 6,032,246 25,484,764 25,484,764 25,484,764
Funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76 (Reprofile) 17 20,316,753 20,316,753 20,316,753 20,316,753
Funding for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program
(Reprofile)
18 20,000,000 20,000,000 20,000,000 20,000,000
Funding for the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement (McLean) (Reprofile) 11 13,813,787 13,813,787 13,813,787 13,813,787
Funding for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (Reprofile)
19 13,160,891 13,160,891 13,160,891 13,160,891
Funding for Out-of-Court-Settlements 8 11,639,162 11,639,162 11,639,162 11,639,162
Funding for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Reprofile) 14 10,341,466 10,341,466 10,341,466 10,341,466
Funding for Negotiations with Treaty 8 First Nations to Modernize Past
Annuities under the Numbered Treaties (horizontal item)
20 693,817 699,204 1,393,021 8,253,913 8,253,913 9,646,934 187,330 9,834,264
Funding to Support Indigenous Participation in the Papal Visit to Canada
(horizontal item)
21 7,323 7,184,385 7,191,708 7,191,708 1,977 7,193,685
Funding for the Investments in Indigenous Youth for the Advancement of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66 (Budget 2022)
22 21,271 4,259 25,530 6,250,000 6,250,000 6,275,530 5,743 6,281,273
Funding to Advance Reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights Issues and Fisheries
with Atlantic and BC First Nations and the Labrador Innu (Reprofile)
23 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000
Funding to Support Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations
(Reprofile)
18 2,540,573 2,540,573 2,540,573 2,540,573
Funding for the Gottfriedson litigation settlement (Reprofile) 14 2,284,656 2,284,656 2,284,656 2,284,656
Funding to advance the implementation and operationalization of Indigenous
children and family servicesʼ laws (Budget 2022) (horizontal item)
24 1,098,957 417,501 1,516,458 1,516,458 296,720 1,813,177
Funding for Canada's Tobacco Strategy (Reprofile) 25 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Funding for Out-of-Court-Settlements 8 481,500 481,500 481,500 481,500
Total Crown-Indigenous Relations3 4,807,315 3,761,587,538 3,766,394,853 2,243,266,313 156,674,856 2,399,941,169 6,166,336,022 1,297,976 6,167,633,998
Funding for Northern Food Security: Seeding Local Food Systems in the North 27 566,992 529,888 1,096,880 65,226,000 21,000,000 86,226,000 87,322,880 153,088 87,475,968
Funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (Reprofile) 28 28,521,619 28,521,619 28,521,619 28,521,619
Funding for Clean Energy (Reprofile) 29 6,176,721 6,176,721 6,176,721 6,176,721
Funding for assessments of climate change impacts on community
infrastructure and emergency management in Indigenous communities and identifying adaptation options
30 249,680 134,597 384,277 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,384,277 67,414 5,451,691
Funding for Advancing a Circular Economy for Plastics in Canada (Budget
2022) (horizontal item)
31 117,081 272,173 389,253 595,850 595,850 985,103 31,612 1,016,715
Funding for the Federal Contaminated Site Action Plan (Reprofile) 28 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Funding for the Nunavut Devolution (Reprofile) 32 95,801 95,801 95,801 95,801
Total Northern Affairs3 933,753 29,458,277 30,392 030 65,321,801 33,022,571 98,344,372 128,736,402 252,114 128,988,516
Total Adjustments 5,741,068 3,791,045,815 3,796,786,883 2,308,588,114 189,697,427 2,498,285,541 6,295,072,424 1,550,090 6,296,622,514
Net Transfers (see Annex A) 34-35 2,129,133 2,129,133 44,591,527 5,530,055 50,121,582 52,250,715 52,250,715
Total Budgetary Expenditures 5,741,068 3,793,174,948 3,798,916,016 2,353,179,641 195,227,482 2,548,407,123 6,347,323,139 1,550,090 6,348,873,229
Explanation of the Key Items Included in Supplementary Estimates (B)

The net increase of $6,348.9 million is comprised of:

  • $3,798.9 million in Vote 1 Operating expenditures:
    • Key initiatives include :
      • Funding for Out-of-Court-Settlements, $2,951.1 million;
      • Funding for Childhood Claims, abuse compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements, $673 million;
      • Reprofile funding for Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement, $99.9 million;
      • Reprofile funding for the Northern Abandoned Mines Reclamation Program, $28.5 million; and
      • Reprofile funding for the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement (McLean), $13.8 million.
  • $2,548.4 million in Vote 10 Grants and contributions:
    • Key initiatives include :
      • Funding for the replenishment of the Specific Claims Settlement Fund and to Amend the Authorities of the Minister, $677.6 million;
      • Funding for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims, $673.5 million;
      • Funding for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation, Inuit, and Métis housing, $457.1 million;
      • Reprofile funding for Specific Claim Settlement Fund, $297 million; and
      • Funding to implement the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools, $113.7 million.
  • $1.6 million in Statutory Authorities for employee benefits.
Funding for Out-of-Court Settlements ($2,906.1 million) and a Reprofile ($45 million)

Objective:

New and reprofiled funding that will be used towards four different litigation settlements.

Outcome:

To advance Canada's overall commitment to reconciliation by paving the way for a more respectful and constructive relationship with Indigenous people.

Status:

CIRNAC anticipates paying these settlements before the end of the fiscal year.

Funding profile: $2,906.1M in 2022-23 and $1M in 2023-24

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 2,906.1 2,906.1 2,906.1 1.0 2,907.1
Reprofile 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0
Vote 1 – 2,951.1
Vote 10 – nil
*No further details can be provided for confidentiality reasons.
Funding for Replenishment of the Specific Claims Settlement Fund ($677.6 million) and a Reprofile Funding ($297 million)

Objective:

  • Top-up and replenish the Specific Claims Settlement Fund (SCSF) to ensure that funds are available for the timely payment of settlement agreements and compensation awards made by the Specific Claims Tribunal for the remainder of the current fiscal year until the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
  • In addition to the new funding, a total funding of $297 million has been reprofiled from 2021-22 to 2022-23 due to unexpected delays in First Nation ratification schedules and settlement agreement negotiations.

Outcome:

With the Specific Claims Settlement Fund replenished, the specific claims process remains a viable alternative dispute resolution option for addressing First Nations' historic grievances in respect of the management of lands and other assets, and that this process is supportive of rebuilding relationships based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

Status:

  • The SCSF was originally established and resourced in 2009 at $250 million annually over a 10-year period ($2.5 billion total).
  • The SCSF was further replenished in 2019 ($3.085 billion over 3 years) and in Budget 2021 ($992.5 million for one year).
  • Budget 2022 provided a top-up of funds for 2022 in the amount of $677.61 million and an additional $5.21 billion over 3 years.

New funding: $5,889.6 million over 4 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 677.6 677.6 677.6 1,792.2 1,593.7 1,826.1 5,889.6
Reprofile 297.0 297.0 297.0 297.0
Vote 1 – Nil
Vote 10 – 974.6
Funding for the Settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement Specific Claims [Redacted]

Objective:

To settle the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations' Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims, [Redacted].

Outcome:

  • $488.1 million will be paid to the Blueberry River and Doig River First Nations (the historic Fort St. John Beaver Band) and $185.4 million will be paid to the Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations (the historic Hudson's Hope Band) in settlement of their respective claims.
  • Settlement of these claims will compensate the First Nations for the losses suffered as a result of not receiving their full treaty land entitlement and will provide the parties with certainty and finality.
  • The settlement amounts were previously approved by Cabinet and settlement of these claims will resolve federal legal and contingent financial liabilities.

Status:

  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]

Funding profile: New funding : $673.5 million in 2023-24

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 673.5 673.5 673.5 673.5
Vote 1 – nil
Vote 10 – 673.5
Funding for Childhood Claims, Abuse Compensation and Administration Costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements ($673.0M) and a Reprofile Funding ($13.8M)

Objective

  • New funding provided over 5 years to address the pressures related to the ongoing management of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation, further support the ongoing compensation of survivors of physical and sexual abuse under the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement and related administration costs for both the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreements.
  • In addition to the new funding, funding of $13.8 million in Operating (Vote 1) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23 for the payment of eligible claims in 2022-23.

Outcome

CIRNAC has a responsibility to ensure Canada's legal obligations under the Settlement Agreement are met, the completion of which contributes to achieving a fair, comprehensive, and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools.

Status

  • Canada is obligated by Federal Court order to issue payments to support the ongoing compensation to the claimants and administration of the Settlement Agreements.
  • As of August 2, 2022, over 154,000 claims have been received by the claims' administrator and over 114,000 class members have received compensation for the harms they suffered related to their attendance at a Federal Indian Day School.
  • The costs associated with the administration of the settlement include but are not limited to: Notice and ongoing communications to class members; the third-party claims administration; the Claims Assistance Program; Exceptions Committee; and the Independent Assessor.

Funding profile: New funding : $1,201M over 3 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.01 673.0 673.0 0.002 673.0 525.0 3.0 1,201.0
Reprofile 13.8 13.8 13.8 13.8
Vote 1 – 686.8
Vote 10 – nil
Funding for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Housing (Budget 2022) ($458.4 million)

Objective:

New funding provided through Budget 2022 to improve and expand Indigenous housing and infrastructure in Canada for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. This initiative extends and enhances distinctions-based housing strategy work underway from previous Budget 2017 and 2018 investments, such as the Métis Nation Housing Strategy and Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, and uniquely targets Indigenous partners who have not received federal housing funding in the past.

Outcome:

  • This funding will help address the critical housing needs of Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nation partners, Inuit land claims organizations, and Métis communities (including Métis Nation, Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Settlements, and Métis in the Northwest Territories).
  • Ensure safe, adequate and affordable housing to achieve better health and socio-economic outcomes.

Status:

  • To date, the Indigenous distinctions and groups supported through this submission have had varied experiences with federal investments to address housing needs.
  • The first infrastructure and housing-specific funding for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty partners, the Metis Settlements, and Metis in the Northwest Territories came in Budget 2021 and now Budget 2022.
  • [Redacted]

Funding profile: $1,234.4 million over 5 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.8 0.3 450.3 6.8 458.2 0.2 458.4 146.5 182.8 204.8 241.9 1,234.4
Vote 1 – 1.1
Vote 10 – 457.1
Funding to Implement the Federal Framework to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools (Budget 2022) ($117.8 million)

Objective:

New funding provided to support the implementation of the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools.

Outcome:

This funding will support the implementation of CIRNAC initiatives under the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools, including:

  • Supporting the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 72-76 (Missing Children and Burial Information);
  • Providing funding to Indigenous partners to support community-led initiatives to locate, document, and commemorate missing children and burial sites associated with former residential schools and honor families' wishes to bring children's remains home;
  • Continuing research and engagement efforts to address missing children and burial sites associated with non-residential school federal institutions included in Indigenous Childhood Claims litigation;
  • Supporting the identification and disclosure of Indian residential schools-related records to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR); and providing sustained support to the NCTR to support the fulfillment of its mandate, including a one-time grant to support the construction of its new, permanent home.

Status:

Budget 2022 allocated $208.9 million over five years beginning in 2022-23 to support the implementation of CIRNAC initiatives included in the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools.

Funding profile: $208.9M over 5 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 1.4 2.3 59.7 54.0 117.4 0.4 117.8 42.1 35.2 6.8 7.0 208.9
Vote 1 – 3.7
Vote 10 – 113.7
Reprofiled funding for the settlement of various claims (Total of $112.5 million)

Objective

Reprofile of funding to settle the Sixties Scoop Settlement, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) and for the partial settlement of the Gottfriedson Litigation and Support of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation Management.

Outcome

These settlement agreements advance reconciliation and meet legal obligations.

Status

Sixties Scoop Settlement

Funding will be used for the payment of individual compensation in 2022-23. As per the terms of the settlement, Canada has committed to providing between $500M-$750M in compensation.

Funding Profile: $99.9 million in Operating (Vote 1 – Special Purpose Allotment) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

IRSSA

Funding is necessary for Canada to comply with court orders, respond to ongoing litigation, complete implementation of the IRSSA and to complete mandatory program closure activities.

Funding Profile: This is a multi-year reprofile that will move $15.3 million in Operating (Vote 1 – Special Purpose Allotment) in 2021-22 to the following years: $10.3 million in 2022-23 and $5 million in 2023-24.

Gottfriedson

Funding is required to cover individual compensation payments under the settlement, as well as the administrative costs related to implementing the settlement.

Funding Profile: $2.3 million in Operating (Vote 1 – Special Purpose Allotment) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Funding to Support the Lifecycle Infrastructure Approach for Existing Self-Government Agreement Holders ($39.8 million)

Objective:

Funding has been provided to implement the lifecycle model for infrastructure within existing Indigenous Self-Government Arrangements and to update asset lists within arrangements already following this model. This will ensure that Self-Governing Indigenous Governments are adequately funded for maintaining and replacing an agreed-upon suite of existing infrastructure assets.

Outcome:

  • To replace existing infrastructure funding provided to 21 Self-Governing Indigenous Governments through self-government fiscal transfer arrangements with funding calculated through a lifecycle infrastructure funding model for each Self-Governing Indigenous Government.
  • To update agreed-upon asset lists of supported community infrastructure for 3 Self-Governing Indigenous Governments that already use the lifecycle infrastructure funding model in their fiscal transfer arrangements.
  • To provide incremental support to ensure infrastructure gaps do not grow while Canada and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments continue work on the co-development of an expenditure need funding methodology through the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process.

Status:

  • [Redacted]
  • When fiscal transfer arrangements were renewed in 2019, Canada did not exercise lifecycle funding authority as many Self-Governing Indigenous Governments had not yet submitted asset assessments to undertake lifecycle infrastructure amendments.
  • Between 2018 and 2022, Canada received 24 asset assessments from Self-Governing Indigenous Governments, negotiated supportable assets based on existing infrastructure funding authorities, and developed costing estimates. Amendments to the fiscal transfer arrangements will update the agreed-upon asset lists and implement the lifecycle funding model for all 24 Self-Governing Indigenous Governments.

Funding profile: $211.3M over 5 years & $44.8M ongoing

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 39.8 39.8 39.8 41.0 42.2 43.5 44.8 211.3 44.8
Vote 1 – nil
Vote 10 – 39.8
Funding to Implement Modern Treaties ($39.7 million)

Objective:

  • Provide institutional capacity and lands and resources funding to support Indigenous Modern Treaty organizations in implementing their Modern Treaty-related responsibilities and achieve their treaties' visions for self-determination.
  • Renew and provide incremental funding for land use planning activities in the territorial North (i.e., in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).
  • Provide ongoing funding for the existing Northwest Territories Board Forum and to establish a new Yukon Board Forum with similar responsibilities to the existing Northwest Territories Board Forum.
  • Provide CIRNAC with funding to address unforeseen and unforecastable implementation pressures related to Modern Treaties and Self Government Arrangements.

Outcome:

Advance CIRNAC Minister's mandate by supporting Indigenous Treaty partner organizations to implement their responsibilities and realize their treaty's vision for self-determination, and by meeting Canada's treaty-related funding obligations towards Modern Treaty-based Institutions established by or recognized in Modern Treaties.

Status:

  • Since 2019, Canada has engaged the Indigenous Treaty partner organizations to co-develop a new federal fiscal policy and associated funding model that would support their institutional capacity to meet the increasing burden of their responsibilities.
  • This incremental funding will enable the implementation of a new institutional capacity policy and associated funding model to fiscal agreements with five Modern Treaty Indigenous partners and will support their lands and resources management activities.

Funding profile: $189.4M over 5 years & $34.0M ongoing

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.8 0.1 25.9 12.7 39.5 0.2 39.7 39.8 36.6 36.3 37.0 189.4 34.0
Vote 1 – 0.9
Vote 10 – 38.6
Funding for the Continued Implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76 ($20.3M)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding to continue to advance Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 74-76 supporting the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Program.

Outcome:

  • This funding will support Indigenous partners and communities to develop and implement community-led initiatives seeking to locate, document and commemorate/memorialize burial sites associated with the 140 residential schools included in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and to honor the wishes of family members seeking to bring the remains of their children home.
  • Specifically, the funding will support multi-year contribution funding agreements anticipated to be concluded in 2022-23.

Status:

  • Budget 2019 announced an investment of $33.8M over three years to implement Calls to Action 72-76, which included $27.1M for the implementation of Calls to Action 74-76 ($2.2M in 2021-22).
  • In addition, a July off-cycle funding decision allocated $83M in contribution funding over three years ($40M in 2021-22; $40M in 2022-23; and $3M in 2023-24) to continue flowing funds on an urgent basis to Indigenous partners and communities developing and implementing initiatives under the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Fund.

Funding profile: Funding of $20.3 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Funding for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program ($20 million) and to Support for Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations ($2.5 million)

Objective:

Reprofiled funding to re-establish and revitalize Indigenous Cultural Spaces in response to the recommendations of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), as well as to provide funding to Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations.

Outcome:

  • Advance reconciliation with Indigenous groups and continue the renewal and advancement of the nation-to-nation relationship.
  • Contribute to the implementation of the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway by building the structures, tools and resources for Indigenous communities, organizations and individuals to minimize the impacts of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Status:

Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities program (CSICP)

  • 14 initial investments in January 2022 were prioritized focusing on early investments, projects going over 2 fiscal years, shovel ready and opened negotiation tables.
  • For 2022-23, 30 projects are currently under review. With this reprofile, the program will be able to support up to $106.4 million in projects.

Funding Profile: Funding of $20 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Enhancing Support for Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations

  • This initiative is the only source of ongoing funding in the Department and across the federal government that is dedicated to support grassroots Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to engage with members and collaborate with the federal government.
  • To date, close to 75% of the funding over five years has been committed in longer-term agreements. This reprofiled funding will allow officials to develop proposals for consideration and funding of multi-year agreements beginning in Q3 of 2022-23.

Funding Profile: Funding of $2.5 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Funding for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ($13.2 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding to support an engagement on legislation for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ("C-15"); Funding to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) ("UNDA").

Outcome:

Ensure Indigenous partners full participation in the engagement process implemented by Justice Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada on the creation of an Action Plan within two years to achieve the objectives of the UNDA; to ensure the consistency of federal laws with the UN Declaration Act; and to report annually to Parliament on progress.

Status:

  • The reprofiled funds will be used to engage Indigenous partners on how to achieve the three legislated requirements.
  • On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) received Royal Assent and came into force.
  • Allocations to Indigenous partners have been completed to support engagement work in their communities.
  • The Indigenous partners will provide information back to Justice Canada no later than March 2023.

Funding profile: Funding of $13.2 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Funding for Negotiations with Treaty 8 First Nations to Modernize Past Annuities Under the Numbered Treaties (horizontal item) ($9.8 million)

Objective:

New funding to negotiate settlements with Treaty 8 First Nations for losses related to past annuities.

Outcome:

Ratified agreements-in-principle with up to 40 Treaty 8 First Nations compensating them for past annuity losses.

Status:

  • The Numbered Treaties, which were signed between 1871 and 1921, provide for the payment of annuities, primarily to individuals. For the most part, the annuities are fixed at the amounts originally stipulated in the treaties and have not been adjusted.
  • [Redacted]
  • Since January 2022, agreements to negotiate have been submitted by 25 Treaty 8 First Nations. This is twice as many as were anticipated for the first year of negotiations.

Funding profile: $20.7M over 5 years & $1.9M ongoing

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.7 0.7 8.2 9.6 0.2 9.8 5.4 1.8 1.8 1.9 20.7 1.9
Vote 1 – 1.4
Vote 10 – 8.2
Funding to Support Indigenous Participation in the Papal Visit to Canada (horizontal item) ($7.2 million)

Objective:

To support the interpretation of the Pope's addresses during his visit into 12 Indigenous languages, translation in up to 31 Indigenous languages and ensure the broadcasting of the event was available for all.

Outcome:

Funding ensured that the event was accessible to Indigenous people of Canada, not only through the broadcast but through the support of interpreting the event in 12 Indigenous languages. The event also had French, English, and sign language interpretation in both Official Languages. Additionally, the Pope's apologies will be translated in up to 31 Indigenous languages.

Status:

  • The Papal Visit has concluded.
  • The official translation of key messages, including the apologies, will be supported in up to 31 Indigenous languages.

Funding profile: $7.2 million in 2022-23

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.03 7.21 7.2 0.01 7.2 7.2
Vote 1 – 7.2
Vote 10 – nil
Funding for the Investments in Indigenous Youth for the Advancement of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66 (Budget 2022) ($6.3 million)

Objective:

A two-year extension of the Indigenous youth pilot program advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 66 led by the Canadian Roots Exchange.

Outcome:

  • Further enhance consultations, capacity building and community among Indigenous youth, with increased performance data collection required to comprehensively inform a full implementation of this Call to Action.
  • Complete the co-development of policy recommendations for the long-term implementation of Call to Action 66 including the establishment of a new Indigenous Youth Reconciliation Barometer.

Status:

  • Over the duration of the pilot project, the Canadian Roots Exchange implemented a suite of ambitious and innovative Indigenous youth-led activities designed to support Indigenous youth and inform co-development of policy options.
  • The pilot was challenged by a pandemic response that saw Indigenous communities and youth disproportionately impacted, leading to increased demand in grant programming and engagements targeted at responding to COVID-19, which were separate and apart from the long-term vision for Call to Action 66. The pandemic disrupted the pilot's intended outcomes, ultimately affecting the quantity and quality of engagements.

Funding profile: 12.6M over 2 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.02 0.004 6.3 6.3 0.005 6.3 6.3 12.6
Vote 1 – 0.02
Vote 10 – 6.3
Funding to Advance Reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights Issues and Fisheries with Atlantic and BC First Nations and the Labrador Innu ($5.5 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding for the purposes of engaging community members in advance of ratifying an Agreement via a Band Council Resolution.

Outcome:

  • Ratification processes will mitigate Crown legal risk, build awareness of Rights Reconciliation Agreements (RRAs) and legitimize the agreements amongst the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations and the Passamaquoddy (MMFNP). The funding will enable the Parties to support ratification of 5 potential agreements within fiscal year 2022-23.
  • Ratifying agreements will provide the MMFNP with tangible evidence that Canada is committed to its reconciliation agenda and to implementing their historic Peace and Friendship Treaty right to fish and harvest for the pursuit of a "moderate livelihood", as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in the 1999 Marshall decision.

Status:

  • The progress of discussions with First Nations indicates that further Rights Reconciliation Agreements negotiations will conclude in 2022-23 and support ratification of agreements.
  • The mandate to sign the RRAs was set to expire on April 4, 2022, but was extended by one year until April 4, 2023.

Funding profile: Funding of $5.5 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Funding to advance the implementation and operationalization of Indigenous children and family servicesʼ laws (Budget 2022) (horizontal item) ($1.8 million)

Objective:

This new funding will increase CIRNAC's capacity allowing the department to better respond to CFS policy issues, in collaboration with ISC, and support the implementation of the Act.

Outcome:

  • To ensure that the Act is implemented in a consistent, efficient, collaborative and cohesive manner.
  • In addition, implementation of the Act will support Canada's reconciliation efforts to reform child and family services in relation to First Nations children, youth, and families.
  • To recognize the inherent right of self-government for children and families as affirmed in the Act and support Indigenous governing bodies in assuming jurisdiction for their children and families, building more culturally appropriate models and reducing the number of removals of children from their families and communities.

Status:

  • An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act) came into force on January 1, 2020.
  • [Redacted]

Funding profile: $5.4M over 3 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 1.1 0.4 1.5 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 5.4
Vote 1 – 1.5
Vote 10 – nil
Funding for Canada's Tobacco Strategy ($1 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding for the Canada's Tobacco Strategy.

Outcome:

  • Canada's Tobacco Strategy supports health priorities established under the permanent bilateral mechanism process which includes the development and implementation of distinct Métis Nation approaches to reduce commercial tobacco use. It also aligns with and helps to advance shared health priority areas under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.
  • The funds will support the Métis National Council (MNC), its Governing Members and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to support capacity development and engagement activities related to improve Métis health.

Status:

  • Funding received so far by the MNC, its Governing Members, and the MMF has been foundational and supported engagement and the development of distinct Metis Nation specific strategies for the reduction of commercial tobacco use.
  • Examples of activities that have been undertaken to date by Metis Nation partners include evidence reviews; developing tools; building capacity to support Metis Nation specific activities on tobacco (e.g., hiring community practitioners to provided individualized tobacco cessation support); cultural safety training; organizing peer and group support.
  • The reprofiled funding will be used to continue to develop and implement Metis Nation specific strategies, including increasing capacity to address commercial tobacco use, and increasing the access to and availability ofculturally appropriate resources and services among Metis citizens.

Funding profile: Funding of $1 million in Contributions (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Northern Affairs Supplementary Estimates (B) items
Funding for Northern Food Security: Seeding Local Food Systems in the North ($87.5 million)

Objective:

New funding provided through Budget 2021 to support Nutrition North Canada's (NNC) grant and contribution programs.

Outcome:

  • This funding will permit the program to increase the retail subsidy budget to maintain pandemic level subsidy rates for nutritious foods and essential items.
  • This initiative broadens the Harvesters Support Grant with expanded terms and conditions. Additional funding is provided for the new Community Food Programs Fund component to support food sharing activities that include market, country, and locally grown foods.
  • It will also help to improve food insecurity in northern and isolated communities by supporting access to traditional, market and locally produced food.

Status:

[Redacted]

Funding profile: $143.2M over 2 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.6 0.5 65.2 21.0 87.3 0.2 87.5 55.7 143.2
Vote 1 – 1.1
Vote 10 – 86.2
Funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program ($28.5 million) and for the Federal Contaminated Site Action Plan ($0.3 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program and for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.

Outcome:

This reprofile will allow the Government of Canada to continue to meet the objective of reducing the risk to human health and the environment and the associated financial liability at federal contaminated sites.

Status:

Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program

  • Funding will help to advance the planned remediation activities in 2022-23 at Great Bear Lake, Mount Nansen and United Keno Hill Mine which were impacted by travel restrictions and supply chain delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and at Giant Mine where work was deferred due to high water levels making the site unsafe.

Funding Profile: Funding of $28.5 million in Operating (Vote 1 – Special Purpose Allotment) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan

  • Travel restrictions, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and weather conditions made accessing a number of sites in Nunavut unachievable, thus delaying work at these sites.
  • Governance agreements with Indigenous stakeholders for two Yukon sites were signed late in 2021 resulting in missing the field season for baseline studies.
  • The procurement of the remediation Contract for Rayrock Mine in NWT failed. Re-tendering will proceed in 2022-23 and therefore the revised schedule has shifted funding to 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Funding Profile: This is a multi-year reprofile that will move $3.3 million in Contributions (Vote 10) in 2021-22 into the following years: $0.3 million in 2022-23, $1.2 million in 2023-24 and $1.8 million in 2024-25.

Funding for Clean Energy ($6.2 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding to support the transition of Indigenous and remote communities to clean energy and reduce reliance on diesel.

Stream 1 – Community clean energy ($2.2 million)

Stream 2 – Support for planning and feasibility of hydroelectricity and grid-interconnection projects in the North ($4 million)

Outcome:

  • This funding will contribute to Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, Emissions Reduction Plan and the Government of Canada's commitment to transition Indigenous and remoted communities from diesel to clean alternatives.
  • It will ensure that Indigenous communities' economic development opportunities, revenue generation, healthy and well-being and self-determination are increased.
  • Reduced reliance on imported diesel that is increasingly susceptible to supply chain disruptions and volatile markets

Status:

  • Since 2016, Northern REACHE has invested $22.6 million in 41 community clean energy and 5 hydroelectricity projects.
  • The program has a pipeline of project proposals to absorb reprofiled funds.
  • Some hydroelectricity projects are advancing more slowly due to the need for additional engagement.

Funding Profile:

This is a multi-year reprofile that will move $11.5 million in Contributions (Vote 10) in 2021-22 to the following years:
$6.2 million in 2022-23 and $5.3 million in 2023-24.

Funding for assessments of climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management in Indigenous communities and identifying adaptation options ($5.5 million)

Objective:

New funding of $16.5 million over 3 years will help to renew the First Nation Adapt program's flood mapping stream. The renewed program will continue to support First Nations participation in regional watershed management approaches, generating flood data using climate projections, and developing effective adaptation strategies.

Outcome:

  • To ensure First Nation communities at risk of experiencing flooding are equipped with the information and tools they need to participate in climate change adaptation planning and improve their resilience to flooding by integrating climate risk into planning and decision-making for land-use, infrastructure, and others.
  • To support Indigenous and northern communities in their resilience to changing environments.

Status:

  • [Redacted]
  • [Redacted]
  • The renewal of this program will continue to support efforts to effectively reduce long-term flood risk for First Nations.

Funding profile: $16.5M over 3 years

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.3 0.1 5.0 5.4 0.1 5.5 5.5 5.5 16.5
Vote 1 – 0.4
Vote 10 – 5.0
Funding for Advancing a Circular Economy for Plastics in Canada (Budget 2022) (horizontal item) ($1 million)

Objective:

New funding for CIRNAC to continue contributing to the implementation of Canada's Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) through its Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability Program (more specifically, the Northern Contaminants Program) by supporting the coordinated generation, collection and management of scientific and environmental data and Indigenous knowledge pertaining to plastics and microplastics in the environment.

Outcome:

This work will continue to build upon limited baseline information and will serve to establish geographic and temporal trends of plastic pollution in Arctic and Northern environments through the detection, quantification, and characterization of plastics and its impacts on the environment, wildlife, and potentially human health.

Status:

  • This funding builds on the $2.0M provided under Budget 2019 for the CIRNAC-led Northern Contaminants Program to establish baseline levels of plastic pollution in the North, as part of the Federal Leadership Towards Zero Plastic Waste in Canada horizontal initiative, which sunsetted in 2021-2022.
  • Project funding allocations will be determined through an annual Call for Proposals, beginning Fall 2022, with proposals evaluated through the comprehensive technical and social-cultural review processes established under the Northern Contaminants Program, and funding decisions by its multi-partner management committee.

Funding profile: 5.0M over 5 years & $1M ongoing

These Estimates (in millions) Future Years (in millions)
Salary (Vote 1) O&M (Vote 1) Grants (Vote 10) Contributions (Vote 10) Total voted EBP 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total Ongoing
Funding profile 0.1 0.3 0.6 1.0 0.03 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 1.0
Vote 1 – 0.4
Vote 10 – 0.6
Funding for the Nunavut Devolution ($0.1 million)

Objective:

Reprofile of funding to support Section 35 Consultation with Indigenous groups necessary to conclude the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement by the end of 2022.

Outcome:

  • Ensure Indigenous Groups have access to funding so they can continue to meaningfully consult with Canada regarding whether devolution respects their existing and asserted section 35 rights.
  • Advancing the Nunavut devolution process strengthens federal, territorial, and Indigenous relations in the territory.
  • Ensure political, social and economic development in Canada's Arctic and North are advanced.

Status:

Funding will be disbursed as requested by the Indigenous groups to facilitate their consultation with Canada prior to the Devolution Agreement being signed during the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Funding Profile: Funding of $0.1 million in Grants (Vote 10) is being brought from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Annex A — Explanation of Requirements 2022–2023 – Transfers
Explanation of Requirements 2022–2023
Other Operating Costs Sub-Total Vote 1b Operating Grants Contributions Sub-Total Vote 10b Grants and Contributions Voted Total
Transfers from Other Organizations
From the Department of Employment and Social Development to support Indigenous skills and employment training and early learning and childcare 23,192,321 3,895,431 27,087,752 27,087,752
From the Department of Indigenous Services for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support the Canada-wide early learning and childcare system 6,483,029 6,483,029 6,483,029
From the Department of Indigenous Services for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support before and after school programming and refinements 5,696,313 5,696,313 5,696,313
From the Department of Indigenous Services for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support infrastructure projects 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000
From Public Health Agency of Canada to support the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care 1,900,117 1,900,117 1,900,117
From Indigenous Services Canada to support the Nunatsiavut Government in delivering the Inuit Post-secondary Education Strategy 1,523,242 1,523,242 1,523,242
From the Department of National Defense for costs associated with access, control and property maintenance of the former Camp Ipperwash 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000
From the Department of Indigenous Services for out-of-court settlements 1,460,838 1,460,838 1,460,838
From the Department of Indigenous Services for modern treaty and self-governing groups to support distinctions- based mental wellness 1,251,730 1,251,730 1,251,730
From the Department of Indigenous Services to support the Kativik Regional Government in delivering the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy 946,208 946,208 946,208
From the Department of Indigenous Services to support post-secondary education investments for self-governing Indigenous governments in the Yukon 523,082 523,082 523,082
From the Treasury Board Secretariat to support projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal government operations 419,000 419,000 419,000
From Indigenous Service Canada for family violence prevention investment for self-governing Indigenous
governments in the Yukon
343,246 343,246 343,246
From the Department of Justice to support activities related to engagement with Indigenous Partners regarding the modernization of the Privacy Act 247,500 247,500 247,500
From Indigenous Services Canada to support the delivery of Innovation in Education programming through the Mi'kmaq Education Agreement 120,150 120,150 120,150
From Indigenous Services Canada to provide a funding adjustment to the Self-Government Grants of the four first nations who have ratified their agreement for school year 2022-23 112,089 112,089 112,089
From the Department of National Defence to review an access agreement to the Cold Lake air weapons range 93,500 93,500 93,500
From the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to support activities related to engagement with Indigenous Partners regarding the conducting the Access to Information Act Review. 72,919 72,919 72,919
Sub-total Transfers from Other Organizations 1,879,838 1,879,838 44,591,527 5,809,350 50,400,877 52,280,715
Transfers to Other Organizations
To the Treasury Board Secretariat to support the Capacity Accelerator Project (30,000) (30,000) (30,000)
Sub-total Transfers to Other Organizations (30,000) (30,000) (30,000)
Internal Transfer
Internal reallocation of resources from Vote 10 to Vote 1 to support a project related to the standardization of
missing persons data through the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
279,295 279,295 (279,295) (279,295)
Sub-total Internal Transfer 279,295 279,295 (279,295) (279,295)
Total Transfers 2,129,133 2,129,133 44,591,527 5,530,055 50,121,582 52,250,715
This item is for Northern Affairs

Food Security and Nutrition North Canada

Key messages

  • Nutrition North Canada supports food security in northern isolated communities by improving access and affordability to market, country and local food and essential items.
  • An investment of $143.4 million over two years from Budget 2021 expanded Nutrition North Canada to strengthen food security and food sovereignty in the communities and regions it serves.
  • An additional $20 million from Budget 2022 is being invested into the retail subsidy to address increased program demand and offset rising costs due to inflation.
  • Funding for the retail subsidy program and the Harvesters Support Grant have been increased, and a new Community Food Programs Fund and a Food Security Research Grant have been co-developed with Indigenous and northern partners to better support food security priorities in NNC communities.
  • Launched in 2020-21, the Harvesters Support Grant is increasing access to country foods by providing funding to support traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing in 109 isolated northern communities. In its first year, the Harvesters Support Grant supported over 5,500 harvesters, over 150 hunts, and over 120 food sharing initiatives.

If pressed on the Inuit Food Security Strategy

  • The expanded Harvesters Support Grant and the introduction of the Community Food Programs Fund support distinctions-based and community-led food security decision making. These new programming investments also directly support Inuit- identified actions contained within their own Inuit Food Security Strategy.
  • Nutrition North Canada's newly implemented food security programming was co-developed with Indigenous and community partners, and included involvement from all four Inuit Land Claims Organizations.
  • From 2019-20 to 2022-23, NNC has transferred over $54.6 million to the four Regional Inuit Organizations through HSG and Community Food Programs funding. This breaks down as follows:
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation $6,881,360.00
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated $27,838,772.00
Makivik Corporation $13,674,250.00
Nunatsiavut Government $6,302,618.00
Total $54,697,000.00

If pressed on high food prices in the North

  • Food insecurity in isolated Indigenous and northern communities is driven by a number of interconnected factors, including poverty and socio-economic gaps. It is a complex issue requiring shared solutions among all levels of government.
  • Since its inception in 2011, Nutrition North Canada retail subsidy program has helped to lower the prices of eligible food and essential items in isolated northern communities, while increasing the amount of perishable nutritious food available. The number of eligible communities has increased from 79 to 122.
  • Recent use of the NNC retail subsidy program has been unprecedented. Between 2011 and 2021, the average volume of eligible items shipped to northern isolated communities increased by approximately 106 percent. About 285.7 million kilograms of eligible items were subsidized, with an average increase of about 4.2 million kilograms annually.
  • In March 2020, more than 9 years after the launch of the Nutrition North Canada program, the average food basket cost in Nutrition North Canada communities was 2.19% lower than it was in March 2011, prior to the launch of the program. According to Statistics Canada, food prices from stores elsewhere in Canada rose by 16.9% over the same period.
  • The Government of Canada is continuing to address high food prices, during a period when northerners need it most. Through Budget 2022, NNC will be injecting an additional $20 million to be allocated towards the retail subsidy. The funding will be used to address the rising cost of food due to inflation.

If pressed on the quality of food on grocery store shelves:

  • Nutrition North Canada takes the availability of healthy and nutritious food in the communities that it serves seriously, as do the registered retailers who sell food in the program's 122 eligible communities. NNC officials work closely with retailers to ensure continued improvement in this area.
  • The logistical challenges and costs of transporting fresh and nutritious foods to isolated northern communities are significant. Northern shipping is often weather dependant, and as a result, delays and food spoilage sometimes happen. Recognizing this, retailers take measures to minimize waste as much as possible, and store staff are empowered to ensure that any damaged or dated product should not be on the shelf.

Background

  • CIRNAC is continuing to work closely with Indigenous and northern partners and other government departments to identify shared, northern-based solutions for improving food security.
  • Nutrition North Canada has increasingly taken a food systems approach to promote food security and food sovereignty. The August 15th announcement in Inuvik of Nutrition North Canada's expanded programming is a significant example of this.
  • The Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund mark a fundamental shift by empowering communities to determine and action their own food security priorities.
  • While Nutrition North Canada will not solve food security on its own, it is helping northern and isolated communities advance made-in-the-North solutions.
  • A long-term strategy will require a whole-of-government approach that recognizes and addresses the key factors of income and employment.

Current status and next steps

  • The $143.4 million investment from Budget 2021 includes an additional $36 million for the Harvesters Support Grant (HSG) and $60.9 million to launch a new Community Food Programs Fund (CFPF) under the grant to support a variety of community food-sharing activities.
  • HSG and CFPF funding can be used to directly support local priorities or broader food security strategies such as the Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy.
  • An additional $1.5 million over two years is also being provided for Nutrition North Canada's Food Security Research Grant to inform ongoing and locally driven food security solutions.
  • Through an investment of $43 million over two years, increased subsidy rates that were put in place by the Government of Canada at the beginning of the pandemic will be maintained. This investment also extends the retail subsidy to local food producers in eligible communities—for eligible items that are sold or donated within the community—and to food banks and charitable organizations serving eligible communities. The funding will also support eligible communities in storing and distributing both country and market food within a community.
  • On October 22, 2022, Harvest Manitoba became the first food bank to register with the program, and have entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Anishininew Okimawin (Island Lake Tribal Council) and Food Banks Canada. This partnership will bring food banking operations to approximately 15,000 residents in the Island Lake Region.
  • Nutrition North Canada will continue to support and encourage partnerships between northern and isolated communities and major food banks and charities as well as the efforts of communities in strengthening food security. Partnerships between isolated communities and food banks and other charitable organizations mark an important step towards seeding food sovereignty and reducing food insecurity in the North.
  • In addition, the Nutrition North Canada is working with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and other federal partners (ISC, AAFC) to support a cost-benefit analysis to advance Inuit-led school food programming as a priority action under the Inuit Food Security Strategy.
  • Nutrition North Canada is also partnering with the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) on a project to develop evidence-based guidelines for distinctions-based interventions to further reduce food insecurity among Indigenous people in isolated and northern communities in Canada. The project will look at both income based and food based interventions.

Northern Housing and infrastructure

Key messages

  • Since 2016, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC) has been delivering historic infrastructure investments leading to important progress in addressing housing gaps in the North.
  • The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of addressing infrastructure needs and the unique challenges Canada's northern and Indigenous communities face in accessing safe, adequate and affordable housing.
  • Budget 2022 is investing an additional $4 billion over seven years, starting in 2022-23, to Indigenous Services Canada and CIRNAC to accelerate work in closing Indigenous housing gaps.
  • Furthermore, the Government of Canada through Budget 2022 is also investing $150 million over two years starting in 2022-23 for the territorial governments to support affordable housing and infrastructure.
  • In addition, through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada is also providing $34 million over seven years to four Métis groups in the Northwest Territories.
  • Budget 2022 also proposes to invest $300 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to co-develop and launch an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.

Background

  • Canada's northern, remote and isolated communities face unique housing and infrastructure needs given the challenges presented by geography, climate change, limited infrastructure, location, and historic underfunding. Investing in housing and community infrastructure, creates resilient northern communities, generates lasting employment, and results in "healthier, safer, and more prosperous northern communities in the long-term. Across the North, where more than half the population is Inuit (including Inuvialuit), First Nations, or Métis, there is chronic housing need (lack of affordability, inadequacy, unsuitability, unavailability) and lower rates of home ownership than in the southern provinces.
  • The shortage of adequate housing in the North has hampered progress on many economic, social, and health issues in the region. For years, territorial Premiers, Indigenous partners, and other Northern stakeholders have stressed the need for increased federal funding and coordinated whole-of-government support to address significant northern housing challenges including increased construction costs and maintenance due to remoteness, a shorter construction season and climate change. These issues continue to be exacerbated as a result of the global pandemic.
  • The Government of Canada recognizes that housing is a foundational element to support healthy families and communities, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Through Budget 2022 investment and ongoing partnerships with Canada's territorial governments, the Government of Canada is empowering territorial partners to ensure that all Northerners (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) have access to sustainable and safe housing and support the health and welfare of Northerners using "made-in-the-North""" solutions.

Housing Budget 2022 Investments

  • Since 2016, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs has been delivering distinctions-based housing investments that support self-determined approaches to Indigenous-led housing programs, leading to important progress in addressing housing gaps.
  • The housing investments made by CIRNAC are in the spirit of self-determination, and it is the recipients of this funding who determines how it will be best allocated to support community housing and infrastructure needs.
  • Through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada is investing an additional $4 billion over seven years, starting in 2022-23, to Indigenous Services Canada and CIRNAC to accelerate work in closing Indigenous housing gaps:
    • $2.4 billion over five years to support First Nations housing on reserve;
    • $565 million over five years to support housing in First Nations Self-Governing and Modern Treaty Holders communities;
    • $845 million over seven years to support housing in Inuit communities; and
    • $190 million over seven years for housing in Métis communities.
  • Budget 2022 funding also includes $150 million for territorial governments to respond to their critical housing and infrastructure needs. This funding is being allocated on a 40-40-20 basis as followed:
    • $60 million to the Government of Nunavut;
    • $60 million to the Government of the Northwest Territories; and
    • $30 million to the Yukon Government.

Of this funding, a minimum of 60 percent must be used for housing, and the remaining amount on housing related infrastructure. Territorial governments have indicated that most of their housing activities will be in support of social housing.

The Government of Canada recognizes that more will have to be done to fully address the housing crisis in Canada's territories. However, the provision of funds through this submission, as well as the funding provided through Budget 2021, will continue to demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment in responding to the housing situation in Canada's North, as well as demonstrate progress, more broadly, on commitments to work with partners to improve the well-being of Northerners.

Infrastructure Investments

  • Budget 2021 announced historic investments for Indigenous communities to support critical infrastructure through the ISC-led Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, totalling $4.3 billion over 4 years:
    • Inuit communities received $517.8 million;
    • Métis received $240 million;
    • Self-Government and Modern Treaty partners received $520.6 million; and,
    • Northern First Nation and Métis communities received $18 million to address immediate infrastructure demands as prioritized by Indigenous partners.
  • Budgets 2021 and 2022 represent the first dedicated investments for infrastructure and housing, respectively, for Self-Government and Modern Treaty First Nations who are not part of other distinctions-based housing strategies.
  • Budget 2021 also committed $18 million for investments in northern communities. These investments support social outcomes and respond to high priority needs such as urgent infrastructure gaps for First Nation communities in the Northwest Territories with non-reserve lands, and to Métis communities not represented by a Métis national Indigenous organization and not subject to a modern treaty or self-governing agreement. Allocation of this funding is based on community need.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Investments

  • Budget 2022 proposes to invest $300 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to co-develop and launch an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.
  • Related to the U.R.N. Housing Strategy funding is that Budget 2022 proposed to provide $4 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to launch a new Housing Accelerator Fund. This will be designed to be flexible to the needs and realities of cities and communities and could include support such as an annual per-door incentive for municipalities, or upfront funding for investments in municipal housing planning and delivery processes that will speed up housing development. Its focus will be on increasing supply, but government supports will be targeted to ensure a balanced supply that includes a needed increase to the supply of affordable housing. This new fund will target the creation of 100,000 net new housing units over the next five years. This initiative will include supports for Indigenous communities that control their supply of housing.
  • Budget 2022 proposes to provide $1.5 billion over two years, starting in 2022-23, to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to extend the Rapid Housing Initiative. This new funding is expected to create at least,4,500 new affordable housing units, with at least 25 per cent of funding going towards women-focused housing projects. All units support vulnerable populations, including Indigenous Peoples.
  • The $1.5 billion funding for the third round of RHI will be divided into two streams: Projects Stream and Cities Stream. A total of $1 billion will be available under the Projects Stream via an applications-based process. Eligible applicants for this stream include provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and non-profit organizations.
  • An application portal will be available through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) beginning on December 12.

Current status and next steps

  • As part of the Budget 2022 commitment to provide $190 million over seven years for housing in Métis communities, is a $34 million commitment to support NWT Metis communities over 7 years:
    • $20 million to the Northwest Territories Métis Nation;
    • $7 million to the North Slave Métis Alliance;
    • $3.5 million to the Fort Simpson Métis Council;
    • $3.5 million to the Fort Providence Métis Council;
  • To fill an identified gap, Budget 2021 also committed $18 million over 4 years support the needs of the Dehcho and Akaitcho First Nations communities as well as Northwest Territories Métis communities. As a result, $5 million is to be distributed this fiscal year (2022-23) to funding recipients.
  • For the territories, Budget 2022 also made a commitment of $150 million to the territorial governments over two years starting fiscal year 2022-23. CIRNAC will be flowing this fiscal year a total of $75 million to the territorial governments (Yukon $15 million and the NWT $30 million, Nunavut $30 million). These funds were approved in spring 2022 and have been flowed to territorial partners via grant (Vote 10).

Northern Infrastructure

Key messages

  • Canada and Canadians have made major investments in infrastructure to create a stronger, more prosperous nation and build communities that everyone can be proud to call home.
  • Together with provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous partners, the federal government has a leading role to play in this nation-building work. That is why the Government of Canada is making historic investments in infrastructure from coast to coast to coast.
  • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. To date, the Plan has invested over $126 billion in over 84,000 projects, 95% of them completed or underway. All three territorial governments have signed agreements with the federal government.
  • Using a whole-of-government approach, including the Government of Canada's Investing in Canada Plan, can move us towards closing infrastructure gaps between the north and the rest of Canada, will ensure Canada's supply chains are stronger, and that Canada's northern economy has the ability to thrive.

Background

  • Northerners have continually emphasized the lack of adequate infrastructure and the significant challenges this poses to socio-economic growth, emergency management, the provision of health services, resource development, defence, security and the fundamental safety and well-being of northern people, and the sustainability of northern communities
  • The North's harsh environment, short construction season, insufficient financial resources and capacity, and shifting environmental conditions due to climate change make it challenging to build and maintain infrastructure. Longer timelines, availability of materials, higher costs, and the importance of infrastructure investments to the socio-economic health of remote communities must all be considered.
  • The federal government invested in nation-building infrastructure projects throughout the 20th century that benefited southern Canada, such as the Trans-Canada highway system, mine access roads, the national railroad system, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and major ports. While a similar approach was taken in the North from the 1940s through the 1970s, a federal investment gap over the past forty years has not kept up with the North's needs. Meeting the infrastructure needs of the North remains an integral component of nation-building efforts in the region but, despite multiple investments over the past few years, decades of underinvestment have left significant infrastructure gaps.
  • Building international trade corridors: will support the fluidity of Canadian goods trade and supply chains by alleviating capacity constraints and bottlenecks along regional and inter-provincial trade corridors; strengthen modal interconnectivity and operability; and improve producers' access to markets, industrial centres and/or multimodal hubs and gateways.
  • Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is investing over $180 billion over 12 years in infrastructure projects across Canada. These investments are being made through 21 federal departments and agencies, including Infrastructure Canada, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada.
  • Budget 2022 signaled the government's intention to accelerate the deadline for provinces to fully commit their remaining funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to priority projects to March 31, 2023. Any uncommitted funds after that date will be allocated to other priorities. However, the original deadline of March 31, 2025 was left unchanged for the territories, which have faced difficulties in accessing infrastructure funds due to fiscal capacity issues in matching funds.
  • In addition, through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada is investing:
    • To help build more resilient and efficient supply chains, $603.2 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, including $450 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to support supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will help ease the movement of goods across Canada's transportation networks, including in our Arctic and Northern regions;
    • $4 billion over seven years, starting in 2022-23, to accelerate work in closing Indigenous housing gaps; and,
    • $150 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the North. Of this amount, $60 million would be provided to the Government of Nunavut; $60 million to the Government of the Northwest Territories; and $30 million to the Government of Yukon. Of this amount, recipients must use a minimum of 60 per cent for housing, and the remaining amount on housing related infrastructure.
  • Northern infrastructure investments need to be made "with" Northerners – not "for" Northerners. This includes Indigenous governments and organizations, who continue to seek partnership roles in infrastructure development and maintenance.

Current status and next steps

  • Continued and deepened interdepartmental collaboration with all levels of government, northern partners, and Indigenous organizations, is required to enable projects that will address the broader issues affecting the North, such as healthy communities, socio-economic opportunities, climate change, and environmental protection and sustainability.

Northern Contaminated Sites Program

Key messages

  • Our Government is committed to the protection of human health and safety and the environment, as well as the development of economic opportunities for Northerners and Indigenous partners.
  • This is why our Government has renewed the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan and made significant investments in establishing the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.
  • We will continue to collaborate with communities, Indigenous partners, Territories and interested stakeholders to protect Canadians and the environment.

If pressed (Giant Mine cost increase)

  • Our Government's investment in the remediation of the Giant Mine site is necessary to protect the local people and environment. It will also provide significant opportunities for social-economic benefits for Northern and Indigenous peoples.
  • The Giant Mine Remediation Project reached a significant milestone in July 2021, when early remediation work began. This represents years of tremendous work by the project team, community partners, rights and stakeholders, technical experts, and members of the public.
  • The new total project cost, estimated at $4.38 billion, includes: historical expenditures of $710 million; updated inflation data; and, legally binding measures of the regulatory process incorporating the interests of Indigenous, territorial, and community partners.

Background

  • CIRNAC's Northern Contaminated Sites Program is responsible for the management of 162 contaminated sites in the North, representing an estimated environmental liability of $6 billion (Public Accounts of Canada March, 2022).
  • The Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program addresses the eight largest and highest risk abandoned mines in Yukon and the Northwest Territories. This program includes funding for the Giant and Faro mine remediation projects, two of the largest contaminated sites in Canada. While these eight projects have largely been in care and maintenance and remediation planning for several years, a number of projects have achieved important milestones over the last few years.
  • CIRNAC also accesses funding through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, a horizontal initiative led by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Treasury Board Canada, to address the remaining contaminated sites under its jurisdiction that are not eligible for funding under the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.
  • The Northern Contaminated Sites Program will continue to promote new economic opportunities for Indigenous people and Northerners. The Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program will allow for longer-term remediation contracts, which provide greater certainty for affected communities and economic opportunities for Indigenous people and Northerners. CIRNAC continues to work closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada to refine procurement mechanisms and develop new, more flexible approaches to procurement to ensure Indigenous and northern communities can benefit from its contaminated sites projects.

Current status and next steps

  • Our Government is investing $2.2 billion over 15 years in the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to remediate Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's eight largest abandoned mine projects.
  • The Government of Canada has also renewed the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada, with $1.16 billion in funding over five years, starting in 2020.
  • Our Government was issued a five-year land use permit on August 7, 2020, and a 20-year water license on September 18, 2020. These regulatory approvals allowed the Government to begin preliminary remediation at the Giant mine site, including construction of the non-hazardous waste landfill, completed in June 2022. Remediation is expected to take up to 15 years to complete.
  • Our Government continues to work in partnership with the Government of Yukon and Indigenous partners to advance the long-term remediation plan while managing immediate risks to both human health and the environment at Faro Mine. We are expecting to start implementation of the final remediation plan in 2026 and take up to 15 years to complete.

Climate Change and Clean Energy

Key messages

  • The government is working with Indigenous and northern communities to support climate change adaptation, and to reduce reliance on diesel in the North by shifting to renewable sources of energy.
  • Budget 2022 further supports Indigenous leadership on climate action by providing $29.6 million to support the co-development of an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda and the phased implementation of distinctions-based climate strategies.
  • Budget 2021 invested $40.4 million to support feasibility and planning of hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the North like the Kivalliq Hydro-fibre Link.
  • CIRNAC has worked closely with NRCan, ISC and ECCC to develop the Indigenous and Remote Communities Clean Energy Hub. The Hub is delivering $300 million to advance the Government's commitment that rural, remote and Indigenous communities have the opportunity to be powered by clean, reliable energy.
  • CIRNAC also received $16.5 million over 3 years, starting in 2022-23, to renew the First Nation Adapt program's floodplain mapping stream. This funding will continue to support efforts for First Nations participation in regional watershed management approaches, generating flood data using climate projections, and developing effective adaptation strategies.

If pressed on flooding in the North

  • CIRNAC's Climate Change Preparedness in the North program supports northern communities to understand and address extreme weather such as flooding, through the development of hazard maps, and designing and implementing flood protection measures. CIRNAC also works closely with the territorial governments and Natural Resources Canada to ensure a collaborative approach for at-risk communities.
  • Tuktoyaktuk is a community experiencing significant coastal erosion and sea level rise which can lead to flooding. Since 2016–2017, the Climate Change Preparedness in the North program, working with the Government of Northwest Territories and the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, has contributed $3.6 million to support the relocation of houses away from the coastline to safer ground, and the design of coastal protection measures.

Background

Climate change impacts in Indigenous and northern communities
  • Indigenous and northern communities are already experiencing the significant and complex impacts of climate change on every aspect of their lives, and are the most in need of adaptation support. Unprecedented changes in temperature, precipitation, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, freshwater availability, ecosystem dynamics, oceans, and sea level exacerbate existing challenges and health stressors across communities.
  • The overlapping impacts of climate change are especially apparent in the North as is evident in many communities. They are experiencing coastal erosion accelerated by reduced sea-ice extent and permafrost melt which is threatening infrastructure and roads. Impacts extend to affect freshwater sources, landslides, and community flooding.
  • Beyond the physical impacts, Indigenous communities are also experiencing impacts to food security due to changing animal migration patterns and un-safe travel conditions over sea ice. When animals are no longer available to hunt and fish, or accessing them becomes too dangerous, cultural and spiritual practices linked to these activities are also compromised which can have an effect on the survival of the culture and language in the long term.
  • On-the-ground adaptation assessments and projects provide critical information for decision-making, advance reconciliation, contribute to cultural continuity, provide local employment, ensure safety, extend life of assets, and ensure sustainability of federal investments. Community leadership plays a key role in defining local priorities and contributing Indigenous Knowledge that supports informed decision-making and agency over climate action, and positions communities for long-term success.
  • Indigenous communities also face challenges in ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of energy. This challenge is even more significant in Indigenous and northern communities that rely on diesel for heating and electricity generation. Climate change will place additional stress on all Indigenous and northern infrastructure, including energy systems and already vulnerable supply chains. Increasing volatility in both the price and availability of fuel supplies will also place these communities at greater risk energy insecurity and require increased financial contributions required by the federal government. Fuel transportation costs will continue to increase due to winter road unpredictability and other climate change impacts.
  • Besides the high risks and costs associated with supplying fuel to northern and Indigenous communities, burning diesel fuel presents a number of environmental, social and economic challenges, including, but not limited to, greenhouse gas emissions, risks of fuel leaks and spills from storage facilities, and energy security issues (i.e., reliance on uncertain availability of seasonal roads, barges, etc.). These challenges drive the need for programming targeted at reducing energy consumption and developing clean energy projects within these communities.
  • Improving energy efficiency and deploying clean energy technologies such as hydro, wind and solar diversifies the energy mix in remote communities. Energy efficiency and conservation measures reduce overall energy demand and can provide significant savings to communities ahead of adding new generation capacity. While renewable energy sources, some of which are intermittent such as wind and solar, cannot completely replace diesel consumption, they can displace it in part to reduce the negative impacts of diesel generation while also creating opportunities for local skills development, job creation, and economic development.

CIRNAC climate change programming

  • CIRNAC delivers 5 climate change adaptation and clean energy programs that aim to empower Indigenous Peoples and northerners to take a leadership role in climate action through participation in policy and programming. Projects are community-led, build capacity and skills, and yield economic opportunities for communities. They are:
    • Northern REACHE – Supports renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, and related capacity building and planning in Northern communities in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. CIRNAC's Northern REACHE program is working closely with Natural Resources Canada and Indigenous Services Canada to implement the Indigenous and Remote Communities Clean Energy Hub.
    • Climate Change Preparedness in the North – Supports Indigenous and northern communities and governments in the North to help them adapt to climate change impacts. Funding supports projects such as vulnerability and risk assessment of climate change impacts, development of hazard maps and adaption plans and options, and implementation of non-structural and structural adaptation measures.
    • First Nation Adapt – Supports First Nation communities located below the 60th parallel to assess climate change impacts and develop adaptation options, related to community infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. Funding supports projects such as risk assessments, and the development, assessment and cost-benefit analysis of adaptation options. The floodplain mapping portion of the program supports climate impact assessments and adaptation planning efforts in communities at significant risk of flooding.
    • Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring – Supports Indigenous peoples in the design, implementation, or expansion of long-term community-based climate monitoring projects. The program supports community-led projects to monitor climate and the environmental effects of climate change on communities and traditional territories.
    • Engaging Indigenous Peoples in Climate Policy – Supports capacity building in National Indigenous Organizations, their regional affiliates, and other regional organizations to engage in climate policy discussions.

Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan and Canada's Emissions Reduction Plan committed to support Indigenous Climate Leadership which invests in the agency of Indigenous communities and rights-holders and supports self-determined Indigenous climate action on adaptation and mitigation. Budget 2022 committed $29.6 million over three years to advance this work.

Current status and next steps

  • Through its climate change programs, CIRNAC continues to support Indigenous communities, including northern communities, in addressing climate change impacts and developing clean energy projects. Since 2016, CIRNAC's climate change programs have supported more than 800 projects/initiatives across Indigenous and northern communities with investments totaling more than $211 million.
  • Over the next 2.5 years, CIRNAC – in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada – will work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to co-develop an agenda for climate action and framework for collaboration on climate policy and climate programming. Funding will also support Indigenous-led climate strategies.
  • CIRNAC is working with territorial governments and Indigenous organizations to support hydroelectric and grid interconnection projects like the Iqaluit Hydro project and the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project.

Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation Mary River Mine Phase 2

Key messages

  • Following an extensive Phase 2 proposal review, wherein Nunavummiut had significant opportunity to participate, the Review Board has recommended the project not proceed at this time.
  • The Review Board concluded that the potential significant adverse effects of Phase 2 cannot be adequately prevented, mitigated or adaptively managed, including through revisions or additions to terms and conditions.
  • Our Government supports strong, sustainable northern resource development that creates opportunity and respects the environment. We also trust in northern co-management frameworks; as has been evidenced in this case, the process allows for a broad range of interests to be considered.
  • The responsible Ministers of Northern Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, Natural Resources, Transport, and Fisheries and Oceans have reviewed the Board's recommendations and on November 16, 2021 decided to accept the Board's recommendation that the Project should not proceed at this time.

Background

  • The Mary River Mine is located on North Baffin Island, in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut. Initially approved in 2012, the Mary River Project has undergone a number of amendments, assessed through the reconsideration provisions of the Nunavut Agreement and the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act (the Act).
  • The original proposal (Phase 1) involved mining 18 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of iron ore, to be transported south via a new railway to a new Steensby Port for year-round shipping. Phase 1 has not been developed to-date, due to Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation's (Baffinland) inability to secure sufficient financing.
  • In 2014, Baffinland received approval for its Early Revenue Phase proposal, involving mining of up to 4.2 mtpa of iron ore, to be transported by truck north on an existing tote road to the existing Milne Port for shipping during the open water season. Through approval of the Production Increase Proposal (2018), Extension Request to the Production Increase Proposal (2020), and Production Increase Proposal Renewal (2022), Baffinland was able to haul by truck and ship up to 6 mtpa of iron ore through Milne Inlet until December 31, 2022. The transportation and shipping limits will revert to 4.2 mtpa after this date, as approved through the Early Revenue Phase.
  • Baffinland submitted its Phase 2 Development Proposal (Phase 2) in 2014, intended to sustain the economic viability of the mine, and support eventual development of Phase 1. Following numerous changes in project scope, the reconsideration process began in earnest in 2018. Phase 2 proposes to replace the existing mine-to-tidewater trucking route with a northern railway, as well as to increase ground and marine transport of iron ore through an expanded Milne Port to 12 mtpa (with operational flexibility).
  • The Nunavut Impact Review Board (the Board) issued its Reconsideration Report and Recommendations (Report) on May 13, 2022, recommending that Phase 2 not be allowed to proceed at this time. The Board concluded that Phase 2 has the potential to result in significant adverse ecosystemic effects on marine mammals and fish, caribou and other terrestrial wildlife, along with vegetation and freshwater, and that these effects could lead to associated significant adverse socio-economic effects on Inuit harvesting, culture, land use and food security in Nunavut. The Board also concluded that Phase 2 poses the potential for transboundary effects on marine mammals and fish and the marine environment outside the Nunavut Settlement Area. Further, the Board concluded that these potential significant adverse effects cannot be adequately prevented, mitigated, or adaptively managed under proposed mitigation, adaptive management and monitoring programs and/or with revisions to the Terms and Conditions of Project Certificate No. 005.
  • Responsible Ministers have 90 days to issue a decision, per subsection 112(6) of the Act. On July 11, 2022, the responsible Ministers extended the decision phase by a further 90 days, per subsection 112(8) of the Act, to support consultation with Inuit.

Current status and next steps

  • A ministerial decision was made on November 16, 2022 which considered an analysis of the Board's Report and an assessment of the adequacy of Crown consultation.
  • The Designated Inuit Organizations through the post report consultation process, indicated that they agree with the Board's recommendation.
  • In order to produce, transport and ship more than 4.2 million tonnes of iron ore per year through Milne Inlet in 2023 or beyond, Baffinland will need to submit another application for consideration.
  • The Government of Canada has encouraged ongoing engagement between Baffinland and Inuit, including the Designated Inuit Organizations, to address the concerns and needs of affected parties, and support development of a viable path forward in the best interests of all.

Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas

Key messages

  • The government of Canada is working with territorial and Northern Indigenous leaders to advance a science-based approach to oil and gas in Canada's Arctic waters.
  • Budget 2022 announced a one-time payment of $25.8 million to the Government of Yukon and Government of the Northwest Territories to fulfill Canada's commitment under the 1993 Canada-Yukon Oil and Gas Accord.
  • $2.5 million was set aside in Budget 2022 to support the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's participation in the implementation of a new Western Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Accord.

Background

  • In December 2016, Canada announced all Canadian Arctic waters as indefinitely off limits to future offshore Arctic oil and gas licencing, to be reviewed every 5 years through a climate and marine science-based life-cycle assessment. Northerners publically objected to the unilateral decision by Canada. Following the announcement, CIRNAC officials, working with Natural Resources Canada officials, consulted territorial governments, Inuit organizations, petroleum companies and NGOs on their interests in the Arctic offshore.
  • In 2018, based on the interests of Northerners and industry, Canada announced "Next Steps for Future Arctic Oil and Gas Development" and three key initiatives. First, freezing the terms of existing oil and gas licences in Canada's Arctic waters for the duration of the moratorium, second co-developing with Northerners a five-year science-based approach to oil and gas development in the Arctic offshore, and third negotiating an Arctic offshore oil and gas co-management agreement with the governments of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
  • In 2019, the Governor in Council issued an "Order Prohibiting Certain Activities in Canada's Arctic Offshore." The term of the Order was set to the term of the five-year science-based assessment, and would be renewed so long as the moratorium is maintained. The Order was renewed for an additional one-year period to allow Canada and its partners to finalize the five-year assessment and to engage Inuit coastal communities on the findings of the assessment. The Order protects the 11 active exploration licenses (ELs) in the Beaufort Sea.
  • Budget 2022 proposed a one-time payment of $25.8 million to the governments of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories to fulfill Canada's commitment under the 1993 Canada-Yukon Oil and Gas Accord, and $2.5 million to support the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's participation in the implementation of a Western Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Accord.

Current status and next steps

Moratorium
  • In May 2022, CIRNAC and Northern partners (Yukon Government, Northwest Territories Government and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in the western Arctic, and Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated in the eastern Arctic) finalized the five-year science-based assessments of Canada's Arctic waters.
  • CIRNAC along with Northern partners are engaging with Northern communities on next steps for a science-based approach to oil and gas in Canada's Arctic waters. Copies of the final reports will be available on CIRNAC's website after the engagement with northern communities is completed.
  • The "Order Prohibiting Certain Activities in Canada's Arctic Offshore" was renewed for one year, until December 31, 2023, to accommodate the engagement with Northern communities.
Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord
  • Canada and the Yukon Government, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation have concluded the negotiations for the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord.
  • Funding announced in Budget 2022 will support Inuvialuit in the implementation of this Accord.

Nunavut Devolution

Key messages

  • Devolution is a long-standing federal policy objective which seeks to ensure greater local control and accountability for decisions, and helps to facilitate Crown reconciliation with northern Indigenous peoples.
  • The Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. continue to meaningfully negotiate towards the final Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement targeted for completion in 2022.
  • The Government of Canada remains committed to working with the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and other stakeholders, to support Nunavummiut to make decisions over land and resources that affect their social, economic and political well-being.

Background

  • Nunavut remains the last territory without control of its own lands and resources. Completing devolution would see the authorities for the Government of Nunavut at par with provinces and territories for the administration of their own lands and resources.
  • Devolution enables the federal government to focus on other core federal responsibilities, such as intergovernmental relations, sovereignty and defence, land claims implementation, climate change and economic development.
  • Devolution is reconciliation in action as it is a key step for the self-determination of Nunavummiut, closing the last steps for a fully federated Canada. It follows through on the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, and the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999. As parties to the negotiation, the Inuit of Nunavut are represented by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the public Government of Nunavut.
  • Devolution creates stronger public governments that are more responsive to local issues and priorities while ensuring that social, economic and other benefits of resource development in the region are shared with Nunavummiut.
  • Nunavut devolution will require legislative amendments so that the authorities and self-determination of lands and resources fall under the purview of the Government of Nunavut.
  • Section 35 consultations with Indigenous partners with established Aboriginal and/or treaty rights within Nunavut continue to inform this process.

Current status and next steps

  • Since May 2022, the draft Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement notes agreement on all tripartite negotiation issues, including related sub-agreements for oil and gas straddling the onshore and offshore and a post-devolution bilateral agreement between the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
  • Since January 2022, section 35 consultations have been underway with thirteen Indigenous Groups with rights in the territory. Proposed accommodations have been incorporated to the draft agreement and remaining consultations are expected to conclude by the end of 2022.
  • Following the completion of section 35 consultations, and a confirmation by the Department of Justice that a legal assessment of risk and that duty to consult obligations have been met, the Chief Negotiators for the respective Parties will initial the final Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, and proceed with their respective processes for seeking signing authorities. Signature is anticipated for 2022-2023.
  • After the final Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement is signed, the Parties will enter into a three-year implementation phase, targeted to begin on April 1, 2023 with an effective transfer date of April 1, 2026. The implementation phase includes finalizing the transfer of staff and resources and drafting legislation to make the transfer of responsibilities to the Government of Nunavut come into effect by transfer date.
  • As articulated in Minister Vandal' mandate letters of 2019 and 2021, the Government of Canada committed to conclude a devolution agreement, meet reconciliation policy priorities, and take steps to proceed with the transfer of lands and resources to the Government of Nunavut.

Arctic and Northern Policy Framework

Key messages

  • The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework was launched in 2019 with territorial, Indigenous and provincial partners, and is now focused on implementation, including co-development of governance mechanisms.
  • We continue to work with Framework partners to ensure that Northerners' needs are met. The 2022 Leadership Committee meeting – held on September 29th in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – served as a significant opportunity for the Minister of Northern Affairs to hear directly from partners on their top priorities. The meeting also provided an occasion to update partners on key issues of relevance, including critical minerals and Arctic and northern security and defence.
  • The priorities noted by partners at the 2022 meeting were mental health and addictions supports, including community-based treatments; housing and community infrastructure; economic development (including clean energy economic measures, remediation, and economic reconciliation); climate change; education and training; measures to address the high cost of living; northern security and defence; and Indigenous cross-border mobility.
  • Since the release of the Framework, the Government of Canada has made significant investments, including in Budget 2022, to support northern economies and move forward on social and political self-determination. These investments reflect both the co-developed Framework goals and the direct advocacy of partners.

Background

  • In 2016, the Government committed to co-developing a new Arctic Policy Framework with territorial, provincial and Indigenous partners to replace Canada's Northern Strategy and Statement on Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy and guide federal priorities in the North until 2030 and beyond.
  • Released in 2019, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework was co-developed with Inuit, First Nations, and Métis, the territorial governments of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as the provincial governments of Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Development of the International and Defence chapters was led by Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence, respectively.
  • The co-development model of policy development and implementation involves a collaborative process which explicitly incorporates the priorities and perspectives of the federal government and partners.
  • Implementation with partners, beginning in 2020, has focused on co-developing national and regional governance approaches.
  • Targeted federal investments in Budgets 2019, 2021 and 2022 are contributions toward the achievement of Framework goals and objectives. Budget 2022, for example, included over $267 million in targeted investments which support Framework implementation and complement existing efforts to strengthen Arctic and northern communities, including the following funding to CIRNAC:
    • $150 million to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the northern territories.
    • $32.2 million supporting the Atlin Hydro Expansion project to provide clean electricity to the Yukon.
    • $14.5 million ($2.5 million ongoing) to support the completion and operations of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.
    • $25.8 million to the Government of Yukon and Government of Northwest Territories towards the 1993 Accord, and $2.5 million to Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to implement the new Western Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Accord.
    • $2 million towards a Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement respecting the historical impacts of the operation of Giant Mine on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
    • $40 million to support northern regulatory processes as part of the Critical Minerals Strategy.
    • $29.6 million to support the co-development of an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda.
  • On August 15, 2022, the Minister of Northern Affairs announced an investment of $143.4 million over two years from Budget 2021 to expand Nutrition North Canada's ability to help eligible northern and isolated communities address local food security priorities. The investment includes an additional $36 million for the Harvesters Support Grant and $60.9 million to launch a new Community Food Programs Fund under the Grant to support food-sharing activities. An additional $1.5 million over two years is also being provided for Nutrition North Canada's Food Security Research Grant to inform ongoing and locally driven food security solutions.

Current status and next steps

  • The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Secretariat within CIRNAC coordinates annual political-level Leadership Committee meetings which both provide a forum for providing updates to all partners on implementation, and serve as a venue for partners to raise their individual priorities. CIRNAC also convenes regular all-partners' meetings at the officials' level, and meets with Framework partners bi-laterall.
  • The Leadership Committee meeting held in Yellowknife on September 29, 2022 (an in-person/virtual hybrid approach was utilized) was chaired by the Minister of Northern Affairs and co-hosted by the Premier of Northwest Territories. Reflecting the whole-of-government nature of the Framework, the meeting included presentations by Natural Resources Canada on critical minerals and by the National Defence on northern security and defence.
  • Securing resources which are specifically allocated for Framework implementation remains, for partners, a foremost concern, as clearly articulated at the 2022 Leadership Committee meeting. Partners are seeking ongoing collaborative work to finalize the governance approaches which will be utilized to determine regional priorities for new investments and to contribute to co-implementation.
  • For example, Budget 2021 funding to support Nutrition North Canada programming sunsets next fiscal year. Indigenous partners depend on these programs and are actively expressing appreciation, and the need for sustained investment. While the feedback generated from NNC's announced Budget 2021 expansions was overwhelmingly positive, the limited investment timeframe is producing risks to the significant progress made towards northern food security, and to recently strengthened co-development relationships with Indigenous partners.
  • In the fall 2022, $20M for 2022-2023 was provided to address pressures related to the retail subsidy triggered by the Government's pandemic response while maintaining current subsidy rates.
  • Sustained and predictable investment in this important work will generate greater credibility in the Government of Canada's ability to work with Indigenous partners on strengthening northern food security. Recent progress aligns directly with the goals of the Framework and with commitments undertaken in the Minister of Northern Affairs' mandate letter.
  • Without significant support, the gap will widen between northern communities and their southern counterparts as efforts to seed food sovereignty, which require longer timelines compared to efforts outside of remote communities, will come to a halt. This threatens the sustainability of evolving local food security efforts, decreases resiliency in the face of inflation and economic and climate shocks, and weakens relationships with Indigenous partners.
  • Moving forward, Framework partners' requests for federal investments are expected to continue to be channelled through the Framework Leadership Committee on an annual and as-needed basis.
  • While some regional governance mechanisms for Framework implementation have been established (Northwest Territories Council of Leaders, bi-lateral arrangements with Inuit partners through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee), efforts to establish regional governance processes with other Framework partners will continue over the coming year.

Reprofiled Funding

Reprofiles

Description of Reprofiles Reason of the Reprofiles Vote Amounts Total Sector
A Streamlined Approach to Transitioning Indigenous and Remote Communities to Clean Energy / Funding for hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the North (Budget 2021) Funding was not received until December 2021, and as a result territorial governments and proponents were unable to ramp up sufficiently to disburse the funding in 2021-22. As a result, a total of $11.5 million will be reprofiled, moving $6.2M into 2022-23 and $5.3M into 2023-24. Funding recipients will provide revised project proposal plans reflecting the new funding profile. Vote 10 4,000,000 4,000,000 NAO
A Streamlined Approach to Transitioning Indigenous and Remote Communities to Clean Energy / Funding for transitioning diesel reliant Indigenous communities onto clean energy (horizontal item) Funding was not received until December 2021, and as a result territorial governments and proponents were unable to ramp up sufficiently to disburse the funding in 2021-22. As a result, a total of $11.5 million will be reprofiled, moving $6.2M into 2022-23 and $5.3M into 2023-24. Funding recipients will provide revised project proposal plans reflecting the new funding profile. Vote 10 2,176,721 2,176,721 NAO
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for the Métis National Council and each of its Governing Members to support capacity development and engagement activities in the area of Métis health - Canada's Tobacco Strategy Funding in the amount of $1M was received in 2021-22 in Supplementary Estimates C on March 31, 2022. The late nature of the timing for these funds made it difficult for the department to complete agreements in time, but more importantly recipients highlighted frustrations in receiving funding so late in the fiscal year while maintaining responsibilities on their end to report on deliverables almost immediately after - especially considering the difficulties they have had to endure as a result of the pandemic. At their request, this funding is being reprofiled so they can adequately and responsibly coordinate and conduct activities in accordance to their commitments to their members and Canada. Vote 10 1,000,000 1,000,000 PSD
Funding for Advancing Reconciliation by Settling Specific Claims Settlement projections are based on a management review of the feedback provided by negotiators, and their assessment of the likelihood of settlement occurring within a fiscal year. These projections are revised quarterly, and reported to Finance by way of quarterly letters on the management of the Fund. As the negotiation process is dynamic, and frequently subject to many unpredictable delays out of control of federal negotiators, the settlement projections fluctuate considerably from a reporting period to the next. Vote 10 297,038,035 297,038,035 R&P
Funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76: Missing Children and Burial Information Between June 7, 2021 and March 31, 2022, CIRNAC received 96 applications for the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support program, totalling $198.5 million. At its launch, CIRNAC had limited program resources to support the demand of applications causing funding approval delays. In some cases, communities adjusted their start dates and lowered the financial requirements for fiscal year 2021-22, shifting required forecasts to fiscal year 2022-23. Vote 10 20,316,753 20,316,753 R&P
Funding for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan: Phase IV This funding will be used to support departmental obligations under existing land claims, licences and the Yukon and NWT Devolution Transfer Agreements. This is a multi-year reprofile that will move $3.3 million in Contributions (Vote 10. in 2021-22 into the following years: $0.3 million in 2022-23, $1.2 million in 2023-24 and $1.8 million in 2024-25. The are various reasons for this reprofile, including the following : Travel restrictions, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and weather conditions made accessing a number of sites in Nunavut unachievable, thus delaying work at these sites; governance agreements with Indigenous stakeholders for two Yukon sites were signed late in 2021 resulting in missing the field season for baseline studies; the procurement of the remediation Contract for Rayrock Mine in NWT failed; and re-tendering will proceed in 2022-23 and therefore the revised schedule has shifted funding to 2023-24 and 2024-25. Vote 10 250,000 250,000 NAO
Funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program The reprofiled funding will help to advance the planned remediation activities in 2023-24 at Great Bear Lake, Mount Nansen and United Keno Hill Mine which were impacted by travel restrictions and supply chain delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and at Giant Mine where work was deferred due to high water levels making the site unsafe. Remediation activities are also planned in 2023-24 at Faro Mine deferred to align with the onboarding of the new Main Construction Manager, and at Ketza Mine where due to COVID-19 outbreaks in Indigenous communities there were delays in the negotiation of the governance structure and finalizing the remediation plan with stakeholders. Vote 1 28,521,619 28,521,619 NAO
Funding for the partial settlement of Gottfriedson (Indian Residential Day Scholars) litigation and support of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation management CIRNAC's obligation to cover the cost of administering the settlement and to cover all individual compensation are Court ordered. If CIRNAC does not have adequate funding to cover these costs, it will be in violation of these Court orders. In order to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover administrative costs of the settlement implementation, the department is seeking to reprofile $2,284,656 from 2021-22 to 2022-23 fiscal year. Vote 1 2,284,656 2,284,656 R&P
Funding to Advance Reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights Issues and Fisheries with Atlantic and BC First Nations and the Labrador Innu There are several key factors that have led to this funding having yet been utlilized, including: (1) unanticipated delays in negotiations as a result of COVID-19 and concerns around community-based gatherings; (2) compressed timeframe for negtiations due to the Caretaker period following the 2021 Federal election; (3) complexity of negotiations; and (4) concerns around the existing mandate and whether or not it meets the needs of MMFNP First Nations in regards to the implementation of their Moderate Livelihood Treaty Rights. Vote 10 5,500,000 5,500,000 TAG
Funding to further negotiate the Nunavut Devolution The pace and timing of external negotiation, the continuation of the pandemic along with the duration of the caretaker convention for the federal election periods had resulted in both pauses and extension of activities for which the funding is intended to finalize the devolution negotiations process into the 2022-23 fiscal year. It is therefore necessary to re-profile the funds to match the timing of activities for which the funding is associated to conclude the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement by the end of 2022. Vote 10 95,801 95,801 NAO
Funding to settle Sixties Scoop settlement As of June 2022, a total of 20,495 have been validated. As the total number of potentially eligible claims (including those that have been validated and those in various stages of the claims process) has now been confirmed to be less than 30,000 by the administrator, the parties have recently received approval from the Federal Court to issue a second (or full payments). The parties will also require approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. However, as the total number of eligible class members is only known at this time to be less 30,000, all of the remaining $250M allotted for individual compensation would be required to compensate eligible class members. This request seeks approval to reprofile the remaining $99,951,865 for individual compensation. Vote 1 99,951,865 99,951,865 R&P
Funding to settle the Mclean Litigation - Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement (McLean) Forecasting claims process against internal Government funding supply timelines is extremely challenging. The administrator informs Canada when additional funding is needed to issue compensation to survivors of sexual and physical abuse. This reprofile is required in order to ensure that timely payments from the administrator to class members can be done as required. Vote 1 13,813,787 13,813,787 R&P
Funding for the Engagement on legislation for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) The UN Declaration Act received Royal Assent in June 2021, and engagement was intended to follow closely. However, at that time, the project lead was shifted from CIRNAC to Justice Canada. Justice Canada has faced staffing capacity issues over the summer, delaying implementation. This was followed by further delays as a result of the federal election and an extended caretaker period. This resulted in a late launch of the call for proposals in December 2021, with an initial deadline set for February 18, 2022. However, this corresponded with the December holiday season. To accommodate low uptake, Justice Canada extended submission deadlines to March 15, and April 15, 2022. As a result, it was not possible to flow funding before the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. Vote 10 1,560,891 1,560,891 IS
Funding to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) (UNDRIP) The UN Declaration Act received Royal Assent in June 2021, and engagement was intended to follow closely. However, at that time, the project lead was shifted from CIRNAC to Justice Canada. Justice Canada has faced staffing capacity issues over the summer, delaying implementation. This was followed by further delays as a result of the federal election and an extended caretaker period. This resulted in a late launch of the call for proposals in December 2021, with an initial deadline set for February 18, 2022. However, this corresponded with the December holiday season. To accommodate low uptake, Justice Canada extended submission deadlines to March 15, and April 15, 2022. As a result, it was not possible to flow funding before the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. Vote 10 11,600,000 11,600,000 IS
Funding to an out-of-court settlement agreement Since the conclusion of the settlement has been delayed, the department has a lapse of $45M in Vote 1. The First Nation is now preparing to hold a community ratification vote that is anticipated to occur and be completed this FY (2022-23). This vote was delayed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why the funds were reprofiled in the 2020-21 FY and 2021-22 FY. It is anticipated that if the vote is successful then the settlement funds will be required at some later point in FY 2022-23 requiring the reprofile of these funds to 2022-23. Vote 1 45,000,000 45,000,000 PSD
Implementing Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan: the Federal Pathway – Canada's Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry's Final Report "Reclaiming Power and Place" - Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program Several compounded factors contributed to delays with decisions and disbursements in FY 2021-22. Firstly, the Treasury Board approval was secured end of July 2021, 4 months into the CSICP mandate that runs over two fiscal years starting on April 1, 2021, and closing on March 31, 2023. Secondly, the program launch on August 12, 2021, was immediately followed by the Federal elections period from August 15th until the end of September. This significantly impacted our implementation plans especially our ability to undertake outreach and public communication at least up until early October. Considering the writ period, the CSICP scheduled 3+ months for the intake period to ensure cross-Canada communication about the project. The application for contributions period closed on December 1, 2021. Thirdly, the CSICP received over 340 applications. Although CSICP prepared well in advance, the volume of applications required time to process starting with the data intake by a small team of 4 employees in December. Nonetheless by focusing on early investments (projects going over 2 fiscal years, shovel ready and with opened negotiation tables), CSICP prioritized 14 initial investments in January 2022. Yet although these early decisions account for $39.5 million in contributions (37% of the total envelope), they only represent $8.3 million in 2021-22 and recipients were left with less than two months (Feb-Mar 2021) for implementation. Vote 10 20,000,000 20,000,000 TAG
Implementing Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan: the Federal Pathway – Canada's Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry's Final Report "Reclaiming Power and Place" - Enhancing Support for Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations There was a delay in launching the call for proposals as there were ongoing discussions with stakeholders on the program itself. As a result the program went live with a call in January 2022 and it received fewer applicants than anticipated due to multiple calls for proposals also open at ISC and WAGE. Officials are working with several organizations who did not apply to the call but are expected to have projects considered in 2022-23 through outreach and direct engagement by officials. No actions are necessary to correct the issue. Vote 10 2,540,573 2,540,573 PSD
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement - Special Purpose Allotment (1) The Department has recently faced pressures from external sources in relation to how it has met the obligations under the Settlement Agreement. This has required extensive analysis of Settlement Agreement data, information and research collections overlaid by the needed knowledge of the workings of the different models codified within the Settlement Agreement.
(2) The funds required in 2022-23 and 2023-24 are to undertake activities under the Settlement Agreement, meet court ordered obligations and ensure the Settlement Agreement programs are closed out in a manner that demonstrates that Canada has fully met its obligations. It is preferable to expend the funds already earmarked for this initiative, rather than create another funding pressure for which there is no alternate source of funds available. The funding is held within Special Purpose Allotment Fund and will only be used as originally intended and approved.
Vote 1 10,341,466 10,341,466 R&P
Total Reprofiles 565,992,167

Reprofiles (CIR items only)

Description of Reprofiles Reason of the Reprofiles Vote Amounts Total Sector
From the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for the Métis National Council and each of its Governing Members to support capacity development and engagement activities in the area of Métis health - Canada's Tobacco Strategy Funding in the amount of $1M was received in 2021-22 in Supplementary Estimates C on March 31, 2022. The late nature of the timing for these funds made it difficult for the department to complete agreements in time, but more importantly recipients highlighted frustrations in receiving funding so late in the fiscal year while maintaining responsibilities on their end to report on deliverables almost immediately after - especially considering the difficulties they have had to endure as a result of the pandemic. At their request, this funding is being reprofiled so they can adequately and responsibly coordinate and conduct activities in accordance to their commitments to their members and Canada. Vote 10 1,000,000 1,000,000 PSD
Funding for Advancing Reconciliation by Settling Specific Claims Settlement projections are based on a management review of the feedback provided by negotiators, and their assessment of the likelihood of settlement occurring within a fiscal year. These projections are revised quarterly, and reported to Finance by way of quarterly letters on the management of the Fund. As the negotiation process is dynamic, and frequently subject to many unpredictable delays out of control of federal negotiators, the settlement projections fluctuate considerably from a reporting period to the next. Vote 10 297,038,035 297,038,035 R&P
Funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76: Missing Children and Burial Information Between June 7, 2021 and March 31, 2022, CIRNAC received 96 applications for the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support program, totalling $198.5 million. At its launch, CIRNAC had limited program resources to support the demand of applications causing funding approval delays. In some cases, communities adjusted their start dates and lowered the financial requirements for fiscal year 2021-22, shifting required forecasts to fiscal year 2022-23. Vote 10 20,316,753 20,316,753 R&P
Funding for the partial settlement of Gottfriedson (Indian Residential Day Scholars) litigation and support of Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation management CIRNAC's obligation to cover the cost of administering the settlement and to cover all individual compensation are Court ordered. If CIRNAC does not have adequate funding to cover these costs, it will be in violation of these Court orders. In order to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover administrative costs of the settlement implementation, the department is seeking to reprofile $2,284,656 from 2021-22 to 2022-23 fiscal year. Vote 1 2,284,656 2,284,656 R&P
Funding to Advance Reconciliation on Aboriginal Rights Issues and Fisheries with Atlantic and BC First Nations and the Labrador Innu There are several key factors that have led to this funding having yet been utlilized, including: (1) unanticipated delays in negotiations as a result of COVID-19 and concerns around community-based gatherings; (2) compressed timeframe for negtiations due to the Caretaker period following the 2021 Federal election; (3) complexity of negotiations; and (4) concerns around the existing mandate and whether or not it meets the needs of MMFNP First Nations in regards to the implementation of their Moderate Livelihood Treaty Rights. Vote 10 5,500,000 5,500,000 TAG
Funding to settle Sixties Scoop settlement As of June 2022, a total of 20,495 have been validated. As the total number of potentially eligible claims (including those that have been validated and those in various stages of the claims process) has now been confirmed to be less than 30,000 by the administrator, the parties have recently received approval from the Federal Court to issue a second (or full payments). The parties will also require approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. However, as the total number of eligible class members is only known at this time to be less 30,000, all of the remaining $250M allotted for individual compensation would be required to compensate eligible class members. This request seeks approval to reprofile the remaining $99,951,865 for individual compensation. Vote 1 99,951,865 99,951,865 R&P
Funding to settle the Mclean Litigation - Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement (McLean) Forecasting claims process against internal Government funding supply timelines is extremely challenging. The administrator informs Canada when additional funding is needed to issue compensation to survivors of sexual and physical abuse. This reprofile is required in order to ensure that timely payments from the administrator to class members can be done as required. Vote 1 13,813,787 13,813,787 R&P
Funding for the Engagement on legislation for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) The UN Declaration Act received Royal Assent in June 2021, and engagement was intended to follow closely. However, at that time, the project lead was shifted from CIRNAC to Justice Canada. Justice Canada has faced staffing capacity issues over the summer, delaying implementation. This was followed by further delays as a result of the federal election and an extended caretaker period. This resulted in a late launch of the call for proposals in December 2021, with an initial deadline set for February 18, 2022. However, this corresponded with the December holiday season. To accommodate low uptake, Justice Canada extended submission deadlines to March 15, and April 15, 2022. As a result, it was not possible to flow funding before the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. Vote 10 1,560,891 1,560,891 IS
Funding to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) (UNDRIP) The UN Declaration Act received Royal Assent in June 2021, and engagement was intended to follow closely. However, at that time, the project lead was shifted from CIRNAC to Justice Canada. Justice Canada has faced staffing capacity issues over the summer, delaying implementation. This was followed by further delays as a result of the federal election and an extended caretaker period. This resulted in a late launch of the call for proposals in December 2021, with an initial deadline set for February 18, 2022. However, this corresponded with the December holiday season. To accommodate low uptake, Justice Canada extended submission deadlines to March 15, and April 15, 2022. As a result, it was not possible to flow funding before the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. Vote 10 11,600,000 11,600,000 IS
Funding to an out-of-court settlement agreement Since the conclusion of the settlement has been delayed, the department has a lapse of $45M in Vote 1. The First Nation is now preparing to hold a community ratification vote that is anticipated to occur and be completed this FY (2022-23). This vote was delayed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why the funds were reprofiled in the 2020-21 FY and 2021-22 FY. It is anticipated that if the vote is successful then the settlement funds will be required at some later point in FY 2022-23 requiring the reprofile of these funds to 2022-23. Vote 1 45,000,000 45,000,000 PSD
Implementing Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan: the Federal Pathway – Canada's Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry's Final Report "Reclaiming Power and Place" - Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program Several compounded factors contributed to delays with decisions and disbursements in FY 2021-22. Firstly, the Treasury Board approval was secured end of July 2021, 4 months into the CSICP mandate that runs over two fiscal years starting on April 1, 2021, and closing on March 31, 2023. Secondly, the program launch on August 12, 2021, was immediately followed by the Federal elections period from August 15th until the end of September. This significantly impacted our implementation plans especially our ability to undertake outreach and public communication at least up until early October. Considering the writ period, the CSICP scheduled 3+ months for the intake period to ensure cross-Canada communication about the project. The application for contributions period closed on December 1, 2021. Thirdly, the CSICP received over 340 applications. Although CSICP prepared well in advance, the volume of applications required time to process starting with the data intake by a small team of 4 employees in December. Nonetheless by focusing on early investments (projects going over 2 fiscal years, shovel ready and with opened negotiation tables), CSICP prioritized 14 initial investments in January 2022. Yet although these early decisions account for $39.5 million in contributions (37% of the total envelope), they only represent $8.3 million in 2021-22 and recipients were left with less than two months (Feb-Mar 2021) for implementation. Vote 10 20,000,000 20,000,000 TAG
Implementing Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan: the Federal Pathway – Canada's Response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry's Final Report "Reclaiming Power and Place" - Enhancing Support for Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations There was a delay in launching the call for proposals as there were ongoing discussions with stakeholders on the program itself. As a result the program went live with a call in January 2022 and it received fewer applicants than anticipated due to multiple calls for proposals also open at ISC and WAGE. Officials are working with several organizations who did not apply to the call but are expected to have projects considered in 2022-23 through outreach and direct engagement by officials. No actions are necessary to correct the issue. Vote 10 2,540,573 2,540,573 PSD
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement - Special Purpose Allotment (1) The Department has recently faced pressures from external sources in relation to how it has met the obligations under the Settlement Agreement. This has required extensive analysis of Settlement Agreement data, information and research collections overlaid by the needed knowledge of the workings of the different models codified within the Settlement Agreement.
(2) The funds required in 2022-23 and 2023-24 are to undertake activities under the Settlement Agreement, meet court ordered obligations and ensure the Settlement Agreement programs are closed out in a manner that demonstrates that Canada has fully met its obligations. It is preferable to expend the funds already earmarked for this initiative, rather than create another funding pressure for which there is no alternate source of funds available. The funding is held within Special Purpose Allotment Fund and will only be used as originally intended and approved.
Vote 1 10,341,466 10,341,466 R&P
Total Reprofiles (CIR items only) 530,948,026

Reprofiles (NA items)

Description of Reprofiles Reason of the Reprofiles Vote Amounts Total Sector
A Streamlined Approach to Transitioning Indigenous and Remote Communities to Clean Energy / Funding for hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects in the North (Budget 2021) Funding was not received until December 2021, and as a result territorial governments and proponents were unable to ramp up sufficiently to disburse the funding in 2021-22. As a result, a total of $11.5 million will be reprofiled, moving $6.2M into 2022-23 and $5.3M into 2023-24. Funding recipients will provide revised project proposal plans reflecting the new funding profile. Vote 10 4,000,000 4,000,000 NAO
A Streamlined Approach to Transitioning Indigenous and Remote Communities to Clean Energy / Funding for transitioning diesel reliant Indigenous communities onto clean energy (horizontal item) Funding was not received until December 2021, and as a result territorial governments and proponents were unable to ramp up sufficiently to disburse the funding in 2021-22. As a result, a total of $11.5 million will be reprofiled, moving $6.2M into 2022-23 and $5.3M into 2023-24. Funding recipients will provide revised project proposal plans reflecting the new funding profile. Vote 10 2,176,721 2,176,721 NAO
Funding for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan: Phase IV This funding will be used to support departmental obligations under existing land claims, licences and the Yukon and NWT Devolution Transfer Agreements. This is a multi-year reprofile that will move $3.3 million in Contributions (Vote 10) in 2021-22 into the following years: $0.3 million in 2022-23, $1.2 million in 2023-24 and $1.8 million in 2024-25. The are various reasons for this reprofile, including the following : Travel restrictions, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and weather conditions made accessing a number of sites in Nunavut unachievable, thus delaying work at these sites; governance agreements with Indigenous stakeholders for two Yukon sites were signed late in 2021 resulting in missing the field season for baseline studies; the procurement of the remediation Contract for Rayrock Mine in NWT failed; and re-tendering will proceed in 2022-23 and therefore the revised schedule has shifted funding to 2023-24 and 2024-25. Vote 10 250,000 250,000 NAO
Funding for the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program The reprofiled funding will help to advance the planned remediation activities in 2023-24 at Great Bear Lake, Mount Nansen and United Keno Hill Mine which were impacted by travel restrictions and supply chain delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and at Giant Mine where work was deferred due to high water levels making the site unsafe. Remediation activities are also planned in 2023-24 at Faro Mine deferred to align with the onboarding of the new Main Construction Manager, and at Ketza Mine where due to COVID-19 outbreaks in Indigenous communities there were delays in the negotiation of the governance structure and finalizing the remediation plan with stakeholders. Vote 1 28,521,619 28,521,619 NAO
Funding to further negotiate the Nunavut Devolution The pace and timing of external negotiation, the continuation of the pandemic along with the duration of the caretaker convention for the federal election periods had resulted in both pauses and extension of activities for which the funding is intended to finalize the devolution negotiations process into the 2022-23 fiscal year. It is therefore necessary to re-profile the funds to match the timing of activities for which the funding is associated to conclude the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement by the end of 2022. Vote 10 95,801 95,801 NAO
Total Reprofiles (NAO items only) 35,044,141

CANNOR 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B)

Page proofs

Organization Summary (dollars)

Budgetary Voted Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities To Date
Transfers Adjustments
1b Operating expenditures 22,054,958 563,013 22,617,971
5b Grants and contributions 77,061,985 6,689,260 83,751,245
Total Voted 99,116,943 7,252,273 106,369,216
Total Statutory 2,104,936 152,014 2,256,950
Total Budgetary Expenditures 101,221,879 7,404,287 108,626,166

Explanation of Requirements (dollars)

Budgetary Voted Appropriations Vote Total
Funding to extend the Northern Adult Basic Education Program 1b 146,347
5b 4,289,260
4,435,607
Funding to enhance the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (Budget 2022) 1b 416,666
5b 2,400,000
2,816,666
Total Voted Appropriations 7,252,273
Total Statutory Appropriations 152,014
Total Budgetary 7,404,287

Listing of Transfer Payments (dollars)

Contributions Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Contributions for advancing adult basic education in Canada's territories 4,289,260 4,289,260
Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program 2,400,000 2,400,000

Listing of Statutory Authorities (dollars)

Budgetary Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 2,104,936 152,014 2,256,950

Items for inclusion in the Proposed Schedule 1 to the Appropriation Bill
(for the financial year ending March 31, 2023)

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Vote No. Items Amount ($)
1b Operating expenditures 563,013
5b The grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year 6,689,260
Total Contributions 7,252,273

Statutory Forecasts - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (dollars)

Budgetary Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 2,104,936 152,014 2,256,950
Total Budgetary 2,104,936 152,014 2,256,950

Expenditures by Purpose - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (dollars)

Budgetary Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Operating Capital Transfer Payments Revenues and other reductions Total
Economic Development in the Territories 93,495,129 715,027 6,689,260 7,404,287 100,899,416
Purposes not listed in these Estimates 6,718,312 6,718,312
Total 100,213,441 715,027 6,689,260 7,404,287 107,617,728
Total Budgetary 100,213,441 715,027 6,689,260 7,404,287 107,617,728

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

This table shows the forecast of total expenditures by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made and the funds to be credited to the vote.

Definitions of standard objects available at: 7. Object codes for 2022 to 2023

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object Personnel Transportation and communications Information Professional and special services Rentals Purchased repair and maintenance Utilities, materials and supplies Acquisition of land, buildings and works Acquisition of machinery and equipment Transfer payments Public debt charges Other subsidies and payments Less: Revenues and other reductions Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency 715,027 6,689,260 7,404,287
Total 715,027 6,689,260 7,404,287

Overview of Supplementary Estimates (B)

  • CanNor will receive $7.4M in funding for the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B). $0.6M for operating, $0.1M for statutory benefits and $6.7M for contributions.
  • This represents approximately a 7% increase since the 2022-23 Main Estimates tabled in March 2022.

If pressed on increases/decreases

  • Funding increases come primarily from the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program and a one-year extension for the Northern Adult Basic Education Program.
  • The enhanced Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program will support Indigenous entrepreneurship and helps build resilience in Indigenous communities through economic development.
  • The one-year extension of the Northern Adult Basic Education Program will support adult basic education services offered by three territorial accredited post-secondary education institutions: Nunavut Arctic College, Aurora College, and Yukon University.

Fact sheet on Supplementary Estimates (B)

Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP)

  • Budget 2022 provided $15 million over five years, beginning in 2022-2023, to CanNor to enhance the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program or NIEOP.
  • NIEOP project-based and core funding supports Indigenous entrepreneurship and helps build resilience in Indigenous communities through economic development.
  • This program enhancement includes an economic research stream that helps identify economic development opportunities for territorial Indigenous community-owned development corporations, private Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.
NIEOP Statistics
  • Between fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2021-2022, CanNor funded an average of 30 projects a year. More than $44 million were used for funding projects between fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2021-2022.
  • All 73 communities in the territories (15 in the Yukon, 33 in the NWT, and 25 in Nunavut) received funding between fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2021-2022. More than $9 million was funded during this time period. As well, an average of 138 jobs were created between fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2021-2022.

Northern Adult Basic Education Program (NABEP)

  • As part of Budget 2022, the Northern Adult Basic Education Program (NABEP) received funding of $4.5M for one year to allow CanNor to support existing adult basic education services offered by the territorial colleges and university.
  • NABEP provides a suite of learning opportunities to working-age Northerners who lack the basic skills required to participate in the labour market.
  • NABEP is delivered by three institutions; Aurora College, Nunavut Arctic College and Yukon University. It provides skills training activities and services, particularly in remote communities, by assisting working-age Northerners (aged 20–64) who do not have a secondary school diploma in getting the skills they need to join the workforce and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.
If pressed on one-year renewal
  • CanNor received a one-year renewal to provide an opportunity for the Agency to work with Northern Affairs in Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to assess how best to support adult basic education given the recommendations of the Northern Post-Secondary Task Force earlier this year.
NABEP Statistics
  • Approximately 80% of people who participate in NABEP are Indigenous.
  • Aurora College, Northern Arctic College, and the Yukon University served an average of 580 students, 319 students and 266 students every year from 2015-16 to 2019-20, respectively.
Background information: Key Statistics on educational attainment in the North

According to the Statistics Canada, educational attainment data for 2021 shows that:

  • A higher proportion of the population in the territories does not complete high school - Yukon (8%), NWT (15%) and Nunavut (39%). The Canadian average is 7% of people that do not complete high school.
  • Nunavut's basic education attainment is lowest in Canada. Nunavummiut who have attained:
    • at least high school level represent 14% of the population compared to the Canadian average of 21%
    • at least college, represent 22% of the population, versus 26% across Canada
    • at least university level represent 16% of the population, compared to the Canadian average of 35%.
  • The Yukon is on par with the rest of Canada in terms of high school, college and university completion rates.
  • High school completion rates are slightly higher in the NWT (24%) than across Canada (21%) but university rates are lower (i.e., 23%).

Issue Sheets

Key Statistics – CanNor

  • Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, CanNor's planned spending increased from $50.3M to $79.5M, with planned staff increasing from 74 to 120.
  • During the same period, CanNor's actual spending increased from $67.1M to $88.4M with actual staff increasing from 99 to 109.
Three Year Program Approvals
  • Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, CanNor approved $30.4M in projects for Indigenous recipientsin Yukon, $28.8M in NWT, and $49.7M in Nunavut.
Budget 2021 Relief Program Funding
  • From June 23, 2021 to March 31, 2022, CanNor has granted 23 approvals under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), 13 approvals under the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) and 9 approvals under the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) for a total of $16.6M in funding.
  • The Agency has provided $5.97M of CCRF, TRF and CCRF funding to Yukon, $3.6M to NWT, and $7M to Nunavut.
Data Tables
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency In Numbers
2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
Planned spending $50,312,224 $64,053,170 $79,550,701
Actual spending $67,162,468 $101,219,284 $88,371,514
Planned FTEs 74 112 120
Actual FTEs 99 109 109
Estimated jobs created 798 566 569
Data is reflective of the fiscal year of approval and values may include estimates for jobs created in that approval year and future years
CanNor Three Year Program Approvals (includes Budget 2021 programming)**
Recipient Type ** Year Yukon NWT Nunavut
Indigenous For Profit 2019-2020 $11,195,573 $3,101,483 $2,141,198
2020-2021 $5,987,950 $5,778,577 $1,387,921
2021-2022 $4,109,999 $5,433,210 $3,383,395
Total All Years $21,293,522 $14,313,270 $6,912,514
Indigenous Non Profit 2019-2020 $2,173,719 $6,740,884 $15,404,568
2020-2021 $777,727 0 $6,573,935
2021-2022 $2,660,526 0 $10,476,018
Total All Years $5,611,972 $6,740,884 $32,454,521
Indigenous Government 2019-2020 $455,960 $1,266,242 $420,250
2020-2021 $2,002,089 $3,592,016 $2,162,540
2021-2022 $1,062,108 $2,910,833 $7,810,342
Total All Years $3,520,157 $7,769,091 $10,393,132
Total Indigenous Recipient $30,425,651 $28,823,245 $49,760,167
Total Non-Indigenous 2019-2020 $2,609,638 $2,325,251 $4,523,092
2020-2021 $7,057,786 $9,768,355 $5,728,594
2021-2022 $8,507,979 $9,034,474 $2,902,317
Total All Years $18,175,403 $21,128,080 $13,154,003
Grand Total $48,601,054 $49,951,325 $62,914,170
Data is reflective of the fiscal year of approval and values may include estimates for funding approved in that approval year and future years

**Includes any Indigenous owned or operated for profit organization (as self-identified), First Nation Government, Indigenous Economic Development Corporation, or Inuit Association (e.g., Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Copper Niisuu Limited Partnership etc.). Breakdown is indicated by Indigenous Governments, Indigenous For Profits, and Indigenous Not for Profits
Budget 2021 Programs to March 31, 2022 (cumulative from program start June 23, 2021)
Totals Yukon NWT Nunavut Total
# Approvals CCRF* 2 CCRF 11 CCRF 10 23
TRF** 7 TRF 0 TRF 6 13
J&G*** 5 J&G 0 J&G 4 9
Total Funding/Program CCRF $800,617 CCRF $3,643,763 CCRF $3,324,512 $7,768,892
TRF $1,079,749 TRF 0 TRF $1,108,005 $2,187,754
J&G $4,094,526 J&G  0 J&G $2,600,000 $6,694,526
Grand Total all programs $5,974,892 $3,643,763 $7,032,517 $16,651,172
*CCRF - Canada Community Revitalization Fund
**TRF - Tourism Relief Fund
***JGF - Jobs and Growth Fund

COVID-19 Investments

  • Through its pandemic-specific relief programs, CanNor supported over 560 territorial SMEs with approximately $31.2M, protecting 1,685 jobs across the territories that may otherwise have been lost.
  • Budget 2021 introduced special time-limited programs to bridge relief through the pandemic and spur recovery and growth. This included the Jobs & Growth Fund, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, and the Tourism Relief Fund.
  • CanNor has already approved $15.3M through these programs, helping put the territories on a path toward a resilient recovery.
  • CanNor continues to collaborate closely with territorial governments and other stakeholders in the design and provision of relief and recovery funding.
If pressed on CanNor pandemic relief funding
  • Through its relief programs, CanNor supported a diverse range of small- and medium-sized enterprises, including over 200 women-led enterprises, over 100 enterprises that are majority-owned by Indigenous peoples, and over 320 enterprises in tourism and related industries.
  • The Agency continues to build the North's recovery path, addressing long-standing challenges via its regular programming.

Northern Innovation Ecosystem

  • The territories have a nascent innovation ecosystem and knowledge economy that have been growing in recent years.
  • Regional 'makerspaces' are offering entrepreneurs, innovators, and students access to cutting-edge equipment, educational workshops, collaborative co-working environments, business support services, and education in technology.
  • The territories' educational institutions are increasing the range of educational opportunities they offer, with Yukon College having transformed to Yukon University, and Aurora College transitioning to a polytechnic university. Such institutions support research, prototype development, and pilot testing of innovation and clean technology in the North.
  • Innovative investments in mining technologies and renewable energy are opening new opportunities for Northerners.
If pressed on CanNor support for innovation:
  • CanNor supports the Northern Innovation Ecosystem through delivery of funding through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which helps northern businesses adopt innovative technologies and fosters the entrepreneurial environment necessary for more innovative regional economies.
  • In Yukon, CanNor has committed over $2.1M toward Yukon University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Division and over $2.3M to the 'Yukonstruct' Makerspace to support a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
    • In 2022, CanNor announced an investment of nearly $128K to support three innovative initiatives in Whitehorse, including $45K in funding for a project that will enable small and medium Yukon businesses to incorporate artificial intelligence into their operations.
  • In the Northwest Territories, CanNor has committed $730K to the Yellowknife Makerspace. The Agency has also invested $1.3M toward a high-tech rare earth ore sorting technology employed at the Nechalacho Rare Earth Project. This serves as a proof-of-concept for greener rare earth mining.
  • In Nunavut, CanNor has committed $1.3M toward a feasibility study for geothermal energy. The installation of geothermal power could lower greenhouse gas emissions, helping Nunavut communities get off diesel.

CanNor Support for Nunavut Fisheries

  • Our Government has helped to spur the growth in Nunavut's fisheries and continues to support this sector.
  • Over the past five years, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency has approved $20.8M for 27 projects in the Nunavut Fisheries sector to provide skills training, infrastructure development for inshore fisheries, research and offshore marketing.
  • The Agency's contributions have helped develop a variety of fish stocks including arctic char, redfish, shrimp, turbot, whitefish, and seal.
  • Nearly 408 jobs were supported in 14 Nunavut communities, including in Clyde River, Pond Inlet, and Qikiqtarjuaq.
If pressed on the barriers to continued growth in the Nunavut fisheries sector
  • We understand that Nunavut wants to reduce barriers and address the imbalance of fishing license allocations relative to the provinces. We are closely following the lawsuit brought on behalf Nunavut Inuit over the transfer of a license. As this is an active case, we cannot comment further at this time.
  • Our Government is actively working to close coastal infrastructure gaps (e.g. small craft harbours) in Nunavut to help unlock the potential of Arctic fisheries.

Agriculture and Agri-Food systems in the North

  • CanNor's programming, which includes a $15M investment through the Northern Isolated Community Initiative (NICI), helps to create local jobs and local food production, processing, and distribution capacities across the territories.
  • In addition to supporting new production in the agriculture and agri-foods sector, funding through NICI also helps address food insecurity across the territories, where factors like high costs of living and supply chain challenges may impact peoples' ability to buy food.
If pressed on CanNor support for Agri-food sector
  • Through the Northern Food Innovation Challenge, CanNor is supporting nine innovative food systems projects from across the territories to support local food production, processing, and distribution.
  • The Challenge is progressing towards its next phase, where up to three projects will be given up to $1M to support their innovative food systems project.
  • CanNor also supports the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector through its flagship program IDEANorth; for example CanNor provided $2M to the Nunavut Government for community freezer design and installation in Sanirajak, Baker Lake, and Kimmirut, and a country food preparation area in Iqaluit.
  • In May, 2021, CanNor announced and investment of $600,000 to eight agriculture and food-related projects across Yukon.
  • This funding supported Yukon organizations to increase food production, build and improve infrastructure, access new markets, upgrade equipment to increase productivity, and grow businesses

Indigenous Participation in the Northern Mining Sector

  • Mining is the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in the North.
  • Indigenous employees comprise 7.4 percent of total employment in the sector. Representation is at 3.9 percent across all sectors.
  • Inuit make up 0.6 percent of the national mining workforce compared to 0.1 percent in all other industries.
  • More than 97 percent of Nunavut residents who work in the mineral industry are Indigenous. Similarly in NWT, of those residents working in the mineral industry, a majority are Indigenous.
  • There are approximately 80 active benefit agreements between Indigenous groups and mining companies.
  • The Det'on Cho Nahanni Construction Corporation, owned by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, are one of the first Indigenous groups in Canada to be responsible for mineral extraction on their traditional territory at the Nechalacho Rare Earth Demonstration Project in NWT.
  • CanNor invested $1.26M into Nechalacho project in the NWT, funding an innovative ore-sorting technology that makes the process much greener. This is Canada's first producing rare earths mine.
  • In the Yukon, CanNor provided $2.1M to the Kluane First Nation development corporation to purchase heavy machinery to participate in construction, mining and clean energy projects.

CanNor support for Indigenous economic development and reconciliation in the Territories

  • Our Government is committed to working with our Indigenous partners to advance economic reconciliation in the territories.
  • Budget 2022 also announced an additional $15M over 5 years to CanNor for Indigenous economic development in the territories. With the re-introduction of long-term core funding for local and regional economic development capacity, this new funding contributes to supporting Indigenous economic self-determination and advancing reconciliation.
  • In 2022-23, CanNor advanced Indigenous economic development and reconciliation by funding projects that support and increase the participation of northern Indigenous communities and businesses in economic opportunities across the territories.
  • In the past 3 years, CanNor has invested over $97M in more than 250 Indigenous led projects, representing nearly 65% of CanNor's regular programming budget.
  • Finally, CanNor has also begun implementing the Inuit Nunangat Policy that is intended to promote Inuit prosperity and well-being across the four Inuit regions. As part of this work, CanNor is coordinating with other regional development agencies who cover Nunavik (Northern Québec) and Nunatsiavut (Labrador) on how we can work together to further support prosperity across Canada's four Inuit regions.
If pressed for specific Indigenous investment examples
  • In the Yukon, CanNor provided $2.1M to the Kluane First Nation Development Corporation to purchase heavy machinery to participate in construction, mining and clean energy projects;
  • In the Northwest Territories, CanNor contributed $3M for an $11M project with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to connect households from Whatì to high-speed Internet; and,
  • In Nunavut, CanNor invested $1M to modernize an aging garage in Kugaaruk and ensure residents have access to mechanical services while maintaining and creating local jobs.
If pressed on CanNor economic recovery support to Indigenous economic development
  • COVID-19 relief programs delivered by CanNor have helped Indigenous small- and medium-sized enterprises weather the economic impacts of the pandemic, providing over $6.6M to over 100 Indigenous applicants to protect nearly 400 jobs.
  • Through its relief programs, CanNor supported a diverse range of small- and medium-sized enterprises, including over 200 women-led enterprises, over 100 enterprises that are majority-owned by Indigenous peoples, and over 320 enterprises in tourism and related industries.
If pressed on low Indigenous labour participation rates
  • CanNor recognizes employment challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples in the North.
  • Guided by the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and its Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy, CanNor responds to community needs through a place-based approach that is designed and delivered in the North.
  • CanNor funds multiple projects in the territories that are benefitting Indigenous businesses and employment such as a critical mineral project in NWT that employs local Indigenous workers, an off-grid solar project that has allowed a Yukon community to become an independent power producer and multiple investments in Nunavut to grow its fishery sector and create jobs for Inuit.

Cost of Living in the North

  • Our Government is committed to supporting northerners as they face increases in the cost of doing business.
  • Since January 2022, CanNor has announced over $30M in new territorial projects that support Indigenous businesses, help build and revitalize northern community infrastructure and outdoor spaces, promote clean energy and address food security.
  • CanNor's programming, which includes a $15M investment through the Northern Isolated Community Initiative (NICI), helps counter cost increases by creating local jobs and local food production, processing, and distribution capacities across the territories.
If pressed on specific investments:
  • CanNor announced an investment of $2M towards improving food security by supporting nine projects from across the territories to test innovative community and Indigenous-led solutions. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on southern-based supply chains, thus reducing costs.
  • In Yukon, CanNor announced an investment of over $3.6M to support two regional initiatives led by Indigenous economic development corporations with investments in heavy machinery and repair facilities that will create business growth and jobs; as well as an additional $300K investment to promote tourism. These investments encourage local opportunities and economic diversification.
  • In Nunavut and NWT, CanNor announced investments of $2.2M and $3.1M respectively for projects that support regional job creation and help build and improve community infrastructure, generating economic opportunities and more resilient communities.
Background information: Key Statistics on Cost of Living in the North
  • According to the 2019 Survey of Household Spending:
    • Households in the territorial capitals spend more on food each year: compared to the Canadian average of $10,311, annual food expenses are 14% higher in Whitehorse, 36% higher in Yellowknife, and 49% higher in Iqaluit;
    • The costs associated with shelter are higher in the territorial capitals than in southern Canada: compared to the Canadian annual average of $20,200, shelter costs are 7% higher in Whitehorse, 55% higher in Yellowknife, and 36% higher in Iqaluit;
    • Transportation expenses are 4%, 32% and 38% higher in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit, respectively, compared to the Canadian average of $12,737.

Tourism in the North

  • Tourism is key to territorial economic diversification and a significant source of business income and local jobs.
  • After a very difficult two years, tourism across the territories is showing signs of recovery as restrictions ease and visits to the North increase.
  • The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency continues to invest in the industry and its recovery providing $6M through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), to stimulate growth and maintain operations.
If pressed on delivery of longer-term investments in tourism

Within its regular programming, CanNor continues to support tourism. For example, CanNor provided:

  • $1.25M since 2018-2019 to support 6 CO-OP hotels expand and modernize to industry standards and help grow local Indigenous tourism businesses and create local jobs;
  • $900K, announced on November 8, 2022, to support Travel Nunavut in its efforts to market the territory as a travel destination, while also providing skills training and support to help grow local tourism jobs, businesses, and operators.
  • $975K to promote tourism development in the Northwest Territories, including $475K to Northwest Territories Tourism to update marketing activities; and
  • $975K to Yukon First Nation Culture and Tourism to grow and market Yukon's Indigenous culture and tourism industries.

PrairiesCan 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B)

Page Proofs

Organization Summary (dollars)

Budgetary Voted Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities To Date
Transfers Adjustments
1b Operating expenditures 48,829,366 238,676   49,068,042
5b Grants and contributions 371,435,004 30,000,000 106,130,786 507,565,790
Total Voted 420,264,370 30,238,676 106,130,786 556,633,832
Total Statutory 5,403,901     5,403,901
Total Budgetary Expenditures 425,668,271 30,238,676 106,130,786 562,037,733

Explanation of Requirements (dollars)

Budgetary Vote Total
Voted Appropriations
Funding for the Tourism Relief Fund 5b 26,078,712
Funding to support small and medium-sized businesses 5b 25,900,100
Funding for the Canada Community Revitalization Fund 5b 16,850,726
Funding for reinvestment of receipts from repayable contributions 5b 12,863,822
Funding to support infrastructure needs in carbon economy impacted communities 5b 6,000,000
Funding for the Regional Air Transportation Initiative 5b 5,047,565
Funding to support workers and communities adapt to Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy 5b 4,885,862
Funding for the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative 5b 3,369,600
Funding to support major festivals and events 5b 1,600,000
Funding for the Black Entrepreneurship Program 5b 1,571,403
Funding for the RCMP Heritage Centre 5b 1,282,996
Funding to launch the National Quantum Strategy 5b 680,000
Total Voted Appropriations 106,130,786
Transfers from Other Organizations
From the Department of Transport to the Department of Western Economic Diversification for the Hudson Bay Railway 1b 238,676
5b 30,000,000
Total Transfers   30,238,676
Total Budgetary   136,369,462

Listing of Transfer Payments (dollars)

Contributions Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Contributions for the Western Diversification Program 164,444,753 92,425,861 256,870,614
Contributions under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program 176,557,926 43,704,925 220,262,851

Items for inclusion in the Proposed Schedule 1 to the Appropriation Bill
(for the financial year ending March 31, 2023)

Department of Western Economic Diversification
Vote No. Items Total ($)
5b The grants listed in any of the Estimates for the fiscal year 106,130,786
Total Contributions 106,130,786

Statutory Forecasts - Department of Western Economic Diversification (dollars)

Budgetary Authorities To Date These Supplementary Estimates Proposed Authorities
Contributions to employee benefit plans 5,403,901   5,403,901
Total Budgetary 5,403,901   5,403,901

Expenditures by Purpose - Department of Western Economic Diversification (dollars)

Budgetary Estimates to Date These Supplementary Estimates Revised Estimates
Operating Capital Transfer Payments Revenues and other reductions Total
Economic Development in the Prairies 408,443,940 238,676 136,130,786 136,369,462 544,813,402
Purposes not listed in these Estimates 15,024,743 15,024,743
Total 423,468,683 238,676 136,130,786 136,369,462 559,838,145
Total Budgetary 423,468,683 238,676 136,130,786 136,369,462 559,838,145

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object

This table shows the forecast of total expenditures by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made and the funds to be credited to the vote.

Definitions of standard objects available at: 7. Object codes for 2022 to 2023

Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object Personnel Transportation and communications Information Professional and special services Rentals Purchased repair and maintenance Utilities, materials and supplies Acquisition of land, buildings and works Acquisition of machinery and equipment Transfer payments Public debt charges Other subsidies and payments Less: Revenues and other reductions Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Department of Western Economic Diversification 21,404 23,451 134,308 16,664 17,282 5,137 20,430 136,130,786 136,369,462
Total 21,404 23,451 134,308 16,664 17,282 5,137 20,430 136,130,786 136,369,462

Overview of Supplementary Estimates (B)

  • Our government is committed to making life more affordable for Canadians and ensuring our economic recovery leaves no one behind.
  • Through Supplementary Estimates B, PrairiesCan (formerly known as Western Economic Diversification Canada) is receiving a net increase of $136.4 million in funding for this fiscal year.
  • A stronger economy in the Prairies contributes to a stronger Canadian economy. That is why these are investments regions need.
  • To seize opportunities in the post-COVID economy, PrairiesCan will use these funds to support businesses and enhance the economic well-being of Canadians and communities in the Prairie region.

Key Messages Related to Supps B

  • Through Supplementary Estimates B, PrairiesCan is receiving a net increase of $136.4 million in funding for this fiscal year.
  • These investments provide targeted support to position our economy for long-term growth by creating jobs, transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, and enhancing competitiveness.

Supplementary Estimates appropriations to continue delivering COVID-19 recovery programs announced in Budget 2021

  • Supplementary Estimates B provides $73.8 million for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), to continue delivering COVID-19 recovery programs announced in Budget 2021.
  • These programs are helping businesses and communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba bounce back from the economic impact of the pandemic and thrive.
  • These programs include:
    • the Tourism Relief Fund;
    • the Jobs and Growth Fund;
    • the Canada Community Revitalization Fund;
    • the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative; and,
    • the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative.

Supplementary Estimates B Transfer from the National Trade Corridors Fund

  • Supplementary Estimates B provides a transfer of $30.2 million from Transport Canada's National Trade Corridors Fund to continue to support the Indigenous and community-based ownership group of Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) during this fiscal year.
  • This funding will ensure the continuity and stability of essential rail services to Indigenous and Northern communities in Manitoba.

Other Initiatives

  • Supplementary Estimates B provides appropriations for several other initiatives. These programs include:
    • Reinvestment of receipts from repayable contributions;
    • the Combined Canada Coal Transition Initiative Funds;
      • the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI);
      • the Canada Coal Transition Initiative Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF);
    • the Regional Air Transportation Initiative;
    • the Black Entrepreneurship Program;
    • the RCMP Heritage Centre; and,
    • the National Quantum Strategy.
  • These initiatives support inclusive economic growth and a shift to a green economy within the Prairie region.

Background

Budget 2021 Pandemic Recovery Programs
  • Descriptions of Budget 2021 pandemic recovery programs are as follows:
Program Description Appropriations
Tourism Relief Fund Provides funding to support tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. $26.1M
Jobs and Growth Fund The JGF will support projects that contribute to near-term job creation and long-term resilience to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. $25.9M
Canada Revitalization Fund Aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. $16.8M
Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative Help the Canadian aerospace sector emerge from the pandemic and continue to compete on the global stage. $3.4M
Major Festivals and Events To enable major Canadian festivals and events that have been hit hard by the economic impacts of COVID-19 to adapt and enhance their activities as the economy recovers. $1.6M

National Trade Corridors Fund

  • The National Trade Corridors Fund is delivered by Transport Canada with a mandate to help fund infrastructure projects in Canada.
  • Relevant projects improve and increase the transportation system, including helping to withstand the effects of climate change and better adapt to new technologies and innovation, as well as address the transportation needs of the Arctic and northern communities.

Other Initiatives

Program Description Appropriations
Reinvestment of Receipts from Repayable Contributions Seeks authorities to invest in the region by the value of receipts from contributions repaid by businesses from the previous fiscal year. $12.9M
Combined Canada Coal Transition Initiative Funds Assists coal communities to diversify their economies and build capacity. $10.9M
Regional Air Transportation Initiative Helps maintain regional air connectivity and services, which are critical to economic growth, and ensure regional routes are reconnected across the country. $5.0M
Black Entrepreneurship Program Support Black business owners and entrepreneurs. $1.6M
RCMP Heritage Centre Covers expenditures incurred by the RCMP Heritage Centre as it prepares for a possible transition to national museum status. $1.3M
National Quantum Strategy Support quantum technology based high growth firms in the region. $680,000

COVID-19 Recovery Programs

  • Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, PrairiesCan has delivered over $450 million in relief funding to more than 6800 businesses and organizations in the Prairies. This has saved jobs and supported families.
  • These investments helped thousands of businesses across the Prairies mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic.
  • In particular, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, delivered by all Regional Development Agencies, helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses that could not qualify for other government supports to pay their bills and their employees during the pandemic.
  • PrairiesCan continues to support pandemic recovery efforts through delivery of recovery programs announced in Budget 2021, such as the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) Audit

  • In late 2021, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) completed an audit of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.
  • The audit indicated that this relief program was successful in quickly providing support to thousands of businesses and organizations to ensure they remained viable.
  • Since the RRRF launched in April 2020, the seven Regional Development Agencies and nearly 270 Community Futures organizations across Canada quickly delivered nearly $1.9 billion to more than 25,000 businesses and organizations. This helped protect almost 157,000 jobs.
  • Our Government agreed to all recommendations to the final report released on June 2022 by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on this program.
  • We remain steadfast in our commitment in ensuring that the programs and services we deliver are effective in supporting Canadians.

Background

  • The RRRF helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses that could not qualify for other government supports to pay their bills and their employees during the pandemic.
  • In the Prairie provinces, $450 million in RRRF funding went to over 6,800 firms.
  • Through the RRRF, the number of rural, Indigenous-owned and woman-owned businesses that received RRRF supports were all significantly higher than their respective representations within the business population.
  • The RRRF officially ended on March 31, 2022. All RRRF contributions are required to be fully repaid by December 31, 2025.
  • RDAs are committed to ensuring that the programs and services delivered are effectively supporting Canadians. RDAs are applying lessons learned from their experiences, the findings from the audit and the committee report, to improve how they help businesses, organizations and communities to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

Prairies Economic Development Canada - Project Examples

  • PrairiesCan, formerly known as Western Economic Diversification Canada, launched in August 2021 to better serve people, businesses, and communities in the Prairie provinces.
  • It is enhancing its presence from four to eleven service locations across the Prairies.
  • PrairiesCan is investing wisely to support economic recovery and growth.

Manitoba Example

  • In a historic partnership between the governments of Canada and Manitoba this past August, the governments of Canada and Manitoba have committed up to $147.6 million to support the Arctic Gateway Group's Hudson Bay Railway.
  • The rail line is both in the national and regional interest.
  • It is essential for supply chains, local food security, regional connectivity and its unique community-ownership model represents ongoing steps toward economic reconciliation in Canada.

Saskatchewan Example

  • With the aim of boosting local economies and helping people gather safely, our government announced over $10 million for over 40 Saskatchewan recreation and community revitalization initiatives.
  • This funding supports new and improved recreational amenities like playgrounds, museums, community centres and unique outdoor experiences that will provide visitors and residents with opportunities to connect and explore Saskatchewan.
  • For example:
    • $750,000 to revitalize the downtown business core in Biggar, SK (announced October 14/22).
    • $743,000 toward creating an accessible outdoor aquatic center in Canora, SK (announced June 8/22).

Alberta Example

  • In April of this year, our government announced $779,000 to Edmonton Unlimited to support development of Capital City Pilots.
  • Capital City Pilots is a novel collaboration with the City of Edmonton to develop, promote and market a procurement model where small- and medium-sized businesses can test their innovative technologies using City of Edmonton owned assets.

Example in and around Calgary

Background
  • In June of this year, our government announced more than $7 million for three leading Calgary organizations - University of Calgary, Meticulon Consulting and NPower Canada.
  • This funding supports community-led innovation and opportunities for people with diverse talents and abilities:
    • University of Calgary: $2.65 million to establish a Social Innovation Hub to support the development and growth of socially-motivated businesses and social enterprises.
    • Meticulon Consulting: $1.36 million to assist hiring neurodiverse youth into technology positions in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
    • NPower Canada: $3 million to expand and scale up its IT skills workforce development program for underrepresented, low-income, and diverse job seekers.
Core Programs
  • PrairiesCan continues to invest in key sectors with significant economic potential, including:
    • health and biological sciences;
    • digital technologies;
    • value-added agriculture; and,
    • clean technology.
Budget 2021 Programs
  • The department continues to focus on supporting recovery and growth, including Budget 2021 programs that will deliver nearly $360 million over three years to support economic recovery.
  • The pandemic relief programs from Budget 2021 that PrairiesCan is delivering are:
    • the Tourism Relief Fund;
    • the Jobs and Growth Fund;
    • the Canada Community Revitalization Fund;
    • Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative; and
    • the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative.

Polar Knowledge Canada 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B)

Station operations – 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates B

Key messages

Due to a significant reduction in operations at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station during the pandemic, the opportunity to reprofile $3M in Vote 1 from 2021-22 to 2022-23 became available in order to achieve two specific policy objectives:

  • To fully implement the Chief Financial Officer Model formally adopted by the Government of Canada with the coming into force of the Treasury Board Policy Framework for Financial Management – this framework broadly sets out the distinct yet interrelated roles of those responsible for financial management in the department; and
  • To mitigate occupational health and safety risks and purchase replacement research support vehicles that are safe and reliable, as well as to modernize housing facilities.

Background

Policy on Financial Management ($0.9M)
  • Polar Knowledge Canada was established as a departmental corporation and separate agency with the coming into force of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station Act in 2015. At the onset, Polar established rudimentary financial functions which have evolved very little over time.
Arctic and Northern Policy Framework ($2.1M)
  • Without a robust Fleet Management plan since its creation, Polar has been unable to adequately maintain its equipment and assets in a manner that would support the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. The fleet of vehicles required to provide research support for researchers (pickup trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc.) are old and unreliable, which is high risk in the northern isolated communities. This funding will provide an opportunity to renew Polar's fleet of vehicles.

Current status

  • Polar Knowledge Canada has been advancing (in advance of Supplementary Estimates B being approved) the procurement of goods/services to utilize the funds provided through the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates B.

Biographies - Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN), 44th Parliament, 1st Session

Committee Member Biographies

Committee Member Biographies

The Hon. Marc Garneau, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC INAN Chair

Marc Garneau

Biographical information

Born in Quebec City, Quebec, the Honourable Marc Garneau was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008, and re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Mr. Garneau graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics and began his career in the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. In 1973 he received a PhD in electrical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, England.

From 1982 to 1983, he attended the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto. While there, he was promoted to the rank of commander and was subsequently promoted to captain(N). Mr. Garneau retired from the Canadian Forces in 1989.

Mr. Garneau was also one of the first six Canadian Astronauts and he became the first Canadian in outer space in October 1984. In February 2001, he was appointed executive vice-president of the Canadian Space Agency and became its president in November 2001.

Mr. Garneau was Minister of Transport from 2015-2021 and Minister of Foreign Affairs January-October 2021. Mr. Garneau is currently not in Cabinet.

Jamie Schmale, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Critic for Indigenous Services; Vice-Chair INAN

Jamie Schmale

Biographical information

Born in Brampton, ON, Jamie Schmale was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2015, and re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to his election, Mr. Schmale served as the executive assistant and campaign manager for former Conservative MP Barry Devolin (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario). He graduated from the Radio Broadcasting program at Loyalist College in Ontario and started his career as a news anchor. He later became a news director for CHUM media.

Mr. Schmale was the critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations in the 43rd Parliament. In the 42nd Parliament, Mr. Schmale served as the opposition critic for Northern Economic Development, and Deputy Critic for Natural Resources. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2015-2017) and the Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2017-2019).

Currently, Mr. Schmale serves as the critic for Indigenous Services.

Marilène Gill, Manicouagan, QC Critic Indigenous and Northern Affairs; Vice-Chair INAN

Marilène Gill

Biographical information

Born in Sorel, QC, Marilène Gill was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to her election, Mrs. Gill was teaching at the college level and pursuing doctoral studies in literature. Her background also includes roles as a unionist, development officer, coordinator of the Table de concertation en condition feminine de la Côte-Nord. She is also involved in the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ). She has also acted as literary director for Éditions Trois-Pistoles, and has published personal works there for which she has received several awards and grants. Mrs. Gill was also political attaché to Michel Guimond, former member and chief whip of the Bloc Québécois.

Mrs. Gill is deputy whip, chair of the Young Families Caucus and critic for Indigenous and Northern Affairs for the Bloc Québécois.

Jenica Atwin, Fredericton, NB

Jenica Atwin

Biographical information

Jenica Atwin grew up in Oromocto, NB. She was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019 as a Member of the Green Party before joining the Liberal Party in June 2021.

Mrs. Atwin completed a Master's in Education at the University of New Brunswick.

Prior to being elected, she was an education consultant and researcher at a First Nations Education Centre. In 2016, she co-organized a spin-off of We Day focused on introducing First Nations youth to one another and helping those who have recently moved off of reserves.

She is a new member of INAN. She previously served on the COVID-19 Pandemic Committee.

Jaime Battiste, Sydney—Victoria, NS Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Jaime Battiste

Biographical information

Born on the Eskasoni First Nation, NS, Jaime Battiste was elected to the House of Commons in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. He is the first Mi'kmaw Member of Parliament in Canada.

Mr. Battiste graduated from Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in 2004. He has held positions as a Professor, Senior Advisor, Citizenship Coordinator, and as a Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

Mr. Battiste's volunteer work over the years involves athletics, youth advocacy, community events, and advocacy for the Mi'kmaq Nation. He is a member of the Aboriginal Sport Circle and a part owner of the Eskasoni Junior B Eagles.

Mr. Battiste served as a representative to the Assembly of First Nation's National Youth Council from 2001-2006. In 2005, the National Aboriginal Healing Organization named him as one of the "National Aboriginal Role Models in Canada." In 2006, as the Chair of the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council, he was one of the founding members of the Mi'kmaw Maliseet Atlantic Youth Council (MMAYC), an organization that represents and advocates for Mi'kmaw and Maliseet youth within the Atlantic region. In 2018, Mr. Battiste was recognized with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, which is a Canadian decoration to honour volunteers who have made significant and continual contributions to their community.

Mr. Battiste was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in December 2021.

He has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and has previously been a member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Michael V. Mcleod, Northwest Territories, NWT

Michael V. Mcleod

Biographical information

Born in Fort Providence, NWT, Michael Mcleod was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Prior to entering federal politics, Mr. McLeod served Northwest Territories residents as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1999-2011 and advised clients in the tourism industry as Tourism Development Officer for the Government of the Northwest Territories. He also previously served as mayor of Fort Providence, president of his Métis Local, and vice-president of Deh Cho Regional Council.

Mr. McLeod earned a diploma in Management Studies from Arctic College and began his career as a self-employed contractor. He has been a member of the Northwest Territories Tourism, NWT Public Utilities, and Mackenzie Valley Environment Impact Review Boards. The latter's mission, conducting fair and timely environmental assessments, remains a key interest.

Mr. McLeod was previously a member of INAN 2016-2017 and has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Arctic and Northern Caucus.

Marcus Powlowski, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON

Marcus Powlowski

Biographical information

Born in Fort William, ON, Marcus Powlowski was first elected to the House of Commons in 2019 and re-elected in 2021.

Prior to being elected, Mr. Powlowski served as a physician in the Emergency Room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre. In addition to being a medical doctor, he has two law degrees - LL.B, LL.M from the universities of Toronto and Georgetown, respectively. He also attended Harvard University and obtained a Masters of Public Health in Health Law and Policy.

Mr. Powlowski worked as a doctor for two years in northern First Nations communities, and for seven years practicing medicine in several developing countries in Africa and Oceania. For several years, he worked as a consultant in health legislation for the World Health Organization. He also volunteered on a medical project in Ethiopia.

Mr. Powlowski has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and has also sat on the COVID-19 Pandemic Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Patrick Weiler, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Patrick Weiler

Biographical information

Born in West Vancouver, BC, Patrick Weiler was first elected to Parliament in 2019 and re-elected in 2021.

Prior to his election, Mr. Weiler was an advocate for safeguarding the environment as an environmental and natural resource management lawyer, representing First Nations, small businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations in Canada and internationally. Mr. Weiler has also worked in partnership with the United Nations and international development agencies, with a mission to improve the governance of natural resources and management of aquatic ecosystems.

Mr. Weiler completed a Bachelor of Arts at McGill University and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Law.

Mr. Weiler served on the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, and the bi-partisan Climate Caucus and Tourism Caucus.

Gary Vidal, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK Critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations

Gary vidal

Biographical information

Gary was born and raised in Meadow Lake in the Desnethé – Missinippi – Churchill River district. He has lived, worked, played, volunteered, and served there his entire life. He graduated from Carpenter High School in 1983 and went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan and Briercrest Bible College. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and was a partner in the accounting firm Pliska Vidal & Co.

Gary was elected Mayor of the City of Meadow Lake in September of 2011 where he served his community until his resignation in March of 2019. He was elected ViceChair of the Saskatchewan City Mayors Caucus from 2016-2018. He was appointed to the SaskWater Board of Directors in 2008 where he served nearly a decade until 2017. During that time, he held various roles including Chair of the Government and Corporate Responsibility Committee, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee and finally, Chair of the Board from 2015-2017.

Over the years, Gary has volunteered in a variety of leadership capacities in his local church as well as on the board of Bethel Gospel Camp, an interdenominational children's bible camp. Other volunteer activities include coaching and managing minor hockey, baseball, and soccer teams.

In 2012 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Mr. Vidal previously served as the critic for Indigenous Services, and is currently the critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations. He has been a member of INAN since February 2020 and also sat on the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic during the last Parliament (2019-2021).

Bob Zimmer, Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies, BC

Bob Zimmer

Biographical information

Bob was born in Dawson Creek, BC and raised in Fort St. John, BC. Bob began his career working for his father's family carpentry business where he learned the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Through these fundamentals, Bob obtained his Red Seal Journeyman Carpentry Certification and went on to own his own construction business.

He received an undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University in human kinetics and history/political science. Bob also obtained a bachelor's of education degree from the University of British Columbia. He worked his way through University as the head coach for Langley's TWU varsity rugby team. After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Bob moved back to St. John where he taught for seven years and continued to work in construction building several homes.

Bob was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River in 2011 and then re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies in 2015 and again in 2019.

Bob serves as the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus and was Shadow for Minister for Northern Affairs and Northern Economic Development Agency from November 2019 to September 2020.

Since coming into office, Bob has sat on several committees including the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Standing Committee for Natural Resources, Standing Committee for Veterans Affairs, and the Standing Committee for Procedure and House Affairs. He has also served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Critic for Asia-Pacific Gateway, Chair of the BC/Yukon Conservative Caucus, and Chair of the National Prayer Breakfast.

Bob is a long-time member of the Fort St. John Sunrise Rotary Club, volunteers for many local events and organizations, and well as volunteers and attends his local church with his wife Val and their four children Kristian, David, Tim, and Bobbie

Eric Melillo, Kenora, ON

Eric Melillo

Biographical information

Eric Melillo is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Kenora. He was elected in the 2019 and 2021 general elections.

Prior to entering politics, he worked as an Associate within a business consulting firm, and as a Policy Research Analyst for a non-partisan think tank. Eric also served as a political staffer while he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Lakehead University.

Since being elected to Parliament, Eric has been working to deliver positive changes to northwestern Ontario. By standing up to support critical infrastructure projects, meaningful supports for Indigenous communities, and creating better economic opportunities for all. Eric has been a strong representative for the people of the Kenora riding.

Eric was born and raised in Kenora, where he lives with his wife Danaka and their dog Oakley.

Lori Idlout, Nunavut, NV Critic – Northern Affairs; Critic – Indigenous Services; Critic – Crown-Indigenous Relations

Lori Idlout

Biographical information

Born in Igloolik, NU, Lori Idlout was first elected to the House of Commons in 2021.

Prior to her election Ms. Idlout practiced law in Iqaluit with her own firm, Qusugaq Law. She represented the group protesting against the Baffinland Iron Mine's expansion, as well as serving as the technical adviser for the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization during a public hearing on the issue. Between 2004 and 2011, Ms. Idlout served as the executive director of the Nunavut Embrace Life Council, a not-for-profit organization committed to suicide prevention. She had previously worked for Nunavut's Department of Health and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as a policy analyst, and was the founder of Coalition of Nunavut DEAs as a director of the Iqaluit District Education Authority in order to advocate for educational services.

Ms. Idlout received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lakehead University in 1997, and a doctorate in law from the University of Ottawa (2018).

She is a new member of INAN and the NDP critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and Indigenous Services.

Did you find what you were looking for?

What was wrong?

You will not receive a reply. Don't include personal information (telephone, email, SIN, financial, medical, or work details).
Maximum 300 characters

Thank you for your feedback

Date modified: