2025-2026 Reporting on the Calls for Justice 1.1 to 1.11: Human and Indigenous Rights and Governmental Obligations

In 2025-2026, the Secretariat:

• continued to facilitate ongoing engagement with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group
• coordinated the fourth annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on MMIWG2S+
• met routinely with the National Family and Survivors Circle Inc. and other Indigenous partners to engage them in the design, development and implementation of policies and programs working to address systemic violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• delivered funding through the Indigenous-led Data Research Projects Program and the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program
• under the leadership and guidance of Giganawenimaanaanig, collaborated with the Government of Manitoba on the Red Dress Alert Pilot to develop a regionally based alert system, and enhance the safety and well-being of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals

The establishment of the MMIWG2S+ Secretariat responds to part of Call for Justice 1.1 through its coordination role in the co-development of the National Action Plan and oversight of the implementation of the Federal Pathway, which outlines the federal government’s commitments and measures progress. The Secretariat produces the Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report which provides transparency on federal actions to advance equitable access to employment, housing, education, safety, and health care as rights-based measures grounded in substantive equality. Together, these functions strengthen public accountability and support sustained, coordinated action to address root causes of violence affecting Indigenous families, survivors, and communities.

• Coordination and relationships: The Secretariat centralizes federal efforts, and coordinates productive working relationships across jurisdictions, with Indigenous partners and provincial and territorial governments
• Increased accountability: The Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report and supplemental Calls for Justice Reporting Tool provides transparency on federal government commitments and whole-of-government progress on the Calls for Justice
• Sustained commitment: By embedding coordination within a dedicated Secretariat, the government ensures ongoing, sustainable, long-term action rather than temporary or reactive measures
• Advancement of accountability mechanisms: The Secretariat supports the development of an independent oversight body for Calls for Justice implementation
• Regular engagement with Indigenous partners: Continuous dialogue ensures Indigenous voices shape policy and program development
• Federal-Provincial-Territorial coordination: By engaging all levels of government, the Secretariat enhances interjurisdictional collaboration to implement systemic change

In 2021, the Government invested $16.6 million over six years to support the establishment and implementation of the MMIWG2S+ Secretariat. Investments are used to support coordination efforts, for intergovernmental engagement, and to track the implementation of the Calls for Justice under federal jurisdiction.

For the 2025-2026 fiscal year to date (April 1 to October 31, 2025), ISC delivered eight information sessions to 242 participants across Canada. Notably, the Registration Reform Team’s information-sharing initiative related to the Collaborative Process was paused during the election and caretaker period during the spring and summer of 2025, allowing time for mandates to be reconfirmed. Therefore, the volume of public engagement on this initiative this fiscal year has been limited compared to the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Key milestones include the publication of:

• the Consultation Plan detailing the planned approach for the events and activities phase
• a What We Heard Report detailing additional results and recommendations from the IAP
• artwork from Indigenous graphic artist Tiaré Lani summarizing the results of the IAP in a visual, storytelling format

For the Call for Proposals on Indigenous-led Options for Solutions, the department approved a total of 90 proposals, representing 62 First Nation communities, Tribal Councils, and Treaty Organizations, as well as 28 Indigenous Representative Organizations. An estimate of 60 partners have since confirmed interest in continuing post federal election.

Additional resources have also been created, namely informational videos and placemats for the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds issues, as well as an interactive map demonstrating the location of all First Nations and the percentage of the population registered under section 6(2).

The Collaborative Process responds to Call for Justice 1.2roman numeral 5v by implementing Action Plan Measure 2.8 of the UNDA Action Plan, which calls for the co-development of a consultation process regarding registration and band membership. Through co-development and consultation, the initiative advances collective and individual rights, including self-determination and equality.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this initiative through increased participation in the transformation of discriminatory legal frameworks. By centering the voices of those most impacted, the process supports culturally grounded solutions that affirm the rights of First Nations women, children, and future generations.

• Addresses legislative discrimination: Supports solutions to the second-generation cut-off and voting thresholds that have excluded First Nations individuals from status and membership
• Centers First Nations leadership: Enables First Nation-led design of consultation and engagement processes
• Advances cultural inclusion: Promotes community-based and culturally informed remedies to colonial policies
• Improves participation: Provides accessible engagement opportunities and resources to diverse participants across the country
• Supports systemic change: Lays the foundation for legislative reform that respects Indigenous jurisdiction over citizenship and community belonging

The initiative, through reallocation of existing funding, has funded a range of First Nations and Indigenous organizations as part of Phase 2’s call-out for Indigenous-led solutions to the key issues.

Since her appointment in January 2025, the Chief Advisor has been carrying out the engagement phase of her mandate. Despite delays in beginning partner and stakeholder engagement due to the 2025 federal election, the Chief Advisor has engaged extensively with Indigenous partners and non-Indigenous stakeholders. She has hosted numerous virtual engagements and has travelled both domestically and abroad.

As of April 2026, the Chief Advisor has held 130 meetings, with each meeting often containing multiple stakeholders. Of the 130 stakeholder meetings, 45 were with Indigenous partners. Additionally, she has heard from hundreds of survivors, many of whom are Indigenous.

During a trip to Alberta in November 2025, the Chief Advisor held a roundtable with eight Indigenous organizations. In British Columbia, the Chief Advisor met with provincial Indigenous governing bodies and family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. In Manitoba, the Chief Advisor met with a series of Indigenous organizations and in the winter of 2026, the Chief Advisor travelled to Quebec, Eastern Canada and Nunavut where additional engagement with Indigenous partners took place.

The appointment of the Chief Advisor responds to part of Call for Justice 1.3 by prioritizing resources and policies to reduce the marginalization of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in anti-human trafficking efforts. It centers survivor voices and Indigenous partnership to ensure culturally appropriate progress is being made when developing government policies and initiatives.

• Prioritization and resourcing: Ensures advice and recommendations is made for the Government of Canada to prioritize areas that will eliminate the marginalization and targeting of Indigenous women girls and 2SLGBTQI+ communities in relation to human trafficking
• Survivor-informed policy: Incorporates the perspectives of survivors to develop culturally relevant and effective interventions
• Partnership with Indigenous leaders: Includes Indigenous voices in decision-making to enhance government accountability and responsiveness

The work of the Chief Advisor is supported by the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, led by Public Safety Canada.

Progress by activity area can be found here when it becomes available: Government of Canada’s progress by priority area. With regard to supporting Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ peoples, please also visit Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Peoples.

The Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan responds to part of Call for Justice 1.3 by allocating up to $75 million through the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund, with some direct investments in Indigenous-led initiatives that strengthen community services, advocacy, and resilience. Additionally, the Action Plan aims to enhance federal policymaking by incorporating 2SLGBTQI+ considerations across government departments. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities may benefit from increased representation in federal policy discussions, and stronger community-based services that address systemic inequities.

• Strengthened legal protections: Enhanced anti-discrimination laws, human rights protections, and funding to combat hate crimes
• Inclusive policy and systemic reform: Embedding 2SLGBTQI+ considerations into federal policies, ensuring long-term structural change and whole-of-government collaboration
• Sustainable community investment: Up to $40 million in capacity-building grants for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, including Indigenous-led initiatives, to expand services and advocacy
• Targeted Indigenous support: Prioritized funding for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities, ensuring culturally relevant and accessible services
• Building community supports: Supporting Indigenous-led 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to enhance service delivery, advocacy, and long-term sustainability

Through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed up to $40 million to the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and up to $35 million for the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund. Additionally, Budget 2025 proposed $54.6 million over five years, starting in 2026-2027, with $10.9 million ongoing, to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community sector – including $7.5 million over five years, with $1.5 million ongoing, for Pride Security.

An evaluation of the FNCFS program is currently underway. The objective of the evaluation is to document the evolution of the program; more specifically, to assess, the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Program and the incremental reforms that were implemented. The evaluation seeks to inform decision-making for program improvements. Engagement with partners is currently underway.

Key developments for the FNCFS Program in 2025-2026 include:

• continued delivery of culturally grounded prevention and protection services, post-majority support services, First Nations Representative Services
• delivery of information sessions with Ontario agencies and First Nations on anticipated transitions
• continued engagement with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation on the Ontario Final Agreement
• continued collaboration with partners to uphold and integrate the principles of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families

The FNCFS program responds to part of Call for Justice 1.3 by working to reduce systemic inequalities and structural barriers that disproportionately impact First Nations children, families, and caregivers—particularly Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. By funding culturally grounded prevention services that address poverty, housing insecurity, intergenerational trauma, and violence, the program helps reduce child welfare involvement and supports family preservation. It also supports post-majority services that assist youth transitioning out of care with access to housing, mental health support, and wellness resources—key to breaking cycles of marginalization. While not explicitly targeted to women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, these holistic, community-designed services create safer and more supportive environments that uphold dignity, strengthen families, and reduce vulnerability to violence and discrimination. First Nations children and families benefit from care that prioritizes safety and healing, while communities gain capacity to provide inclusive, equitable supports reflective of their lived realities.

• Prevents family separation: Prioritizes prevention and early intervention services with the aim of helping families remain together safely; supports early responses to family stressors with the objective of reducing the risk of child apprehension; and, supports kinship care and culturally grounded parenting programs
• Supports intergenerational healing:
  • Seeks to break cycles of intergenerational trauma caused by colonization and the legacy of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, through culturally rooted services designed and delivered by First Nations
  • Provides supports that aim to help families and communities reconnect with cultural teachings, language, and traditional caregiving practices
• Provides holistic, wraparound supports:
  • Funds a wide range of wraparound services that address the underlying drivers of child and family vulnerability, including poverty, food insecurity, inadequate housing, substance use, and mental health challenges
  • Funds post-majority supports for youth aging out of care, such as access to housing, employment, and mental health resources, reducing the risk of homelessness and exploitation
• Promotes cultural continuity and identity: Works to ensure that children remain connected to their cultures, communities, and languages through services delivered by their own Nations, and this cultural grounding builds identity and belonging, critical protective factors that reduce risk and promote healing, particularly for those who have experienced or are at risk of gender-based violence
• Centers the best interests of the child:
  • All services funded through the program are guided by the principles of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, including the best interests of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality
  • This ensures that interventions prioritize safety, healing, and the long-term well-being of First Nations children within the context of their families and Nations
• Supports First Nation self-determination: As part of the ongoing reform of the FNCFS program and alignment with An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, places greater emphasis on the design and delivery of prevention services and supports (for example, First Nations Representative Services, Post-Majority Support Services) by First Nations in a flexible, community-led, needs-based manner
• Builds community capacity:
  • Invests in the infrastructure, staff, and leadership development needed for First Nations to design, implement, and oversee their own child and family service systems
  • Funding for First Nations Representative Services enables Nations to respond to their unique realities and support families with dignity and care
• Addresses systemic inequities:
  • Continues to address the legacy of discriminatory funding and policy frameworks by transitioning to needs-based models and implementing Canadian Human Rights Tribunal-ordered reforms
  • Enables equitable access to services that are responsive to the actual conditions in First Nations communities, contributing to broader reconciliation, justice, and safety for First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people

The federal government allocated $1 billion over five years, starting in 2021, with $118.7 million ongoing to support the FNCFS program. In 2024-2025, $3.87 billion was allocated through the FNCFS program to fund prevention and protection services, post-majority supports, and First Nations Representative Services, ensuring that communities are resourced to meet the needs of children and families in culturally grounded and holistic ways. In 2025-2026, ISC is expecting funding levels to be similar to the previous year.

Since the Act came into force in 2020, approximately $3.3 billion has been committed to support the overall implementation of the Act to promote Indigenous led service models and implementing their child and family services laws. As of March 31, 2026, there have been 289 First Nations, Inuit and Métis recipients of capacity building funding, to support their jurisdictional development activities and preparations for coordination agreement discussions. There are currently 15 signed agreements (14 with First Nations and one with an Inuit governing body), with more agreements expected to be signed before the end of the fiscal year. More and more Indigenous communities are expressing an intention to exercise jurisdiction under the Act. Additionally, work is continuing on the first legislative review of the provisions and operations of the Act. Preliminary engagement with national Indigenous organizations and provinces and territories began in 2024-2025 to identify preferred approaches to the review process. In 2026 this engagement expanded to regional First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations and Indigenous governing bodies through Indigenous-led engagement activities.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.3 by providing funding to Indigenous governing bodies to support their efforts to develop and implement Indigenous child and family services laws and service models. Families and children affected by the MMIWG2S+ crisis are more likely to access services grounded in their own legal traditions and community supports. This shift helps prevent further displacement, trauma, and disconnection from kinship and culture.

• Strengthens Indigenous jurisdiction: Enables Indigenous communities to reclaim authority over child and family services and enact their own laws
• Reduces overrepresentation: Supports preventive and culturally appropriate approaches to address the structural drivers of child welfare involvement
• Protects the best interest of the child and cultural continuity: Prioritizes the preservation of Indigenous languages, traditions, kinship systems, and identity in care decisions
• Enhances service equity: Mandates national standards that support substantive equality and prohibit child apprehension based on poverty
• Promotes long-term safety and wellness: Improves conditions for Indigenous children and families through sustainable, trauma-informed, and community-led service delivery

The Government is investing to support the implementation of the Act:

• In 2022, it invested $428.1 million over three to ten years
• In 2023, it invested $444.2 million over three years (ending in 2026-2027)
• In 2024, it invested an additional $1.8 billion over 11 years (ending in 2035)
• In 2026, it committed to investing up to $628.4 million over six years (ending 2031)

These investments have supported capacity-building, coordination agreement discussions, and the implementation of Indigenous child and family service laws and service delivery models. All funding is administered through contribution and grant mechanisms, with implementation led by Indigenous Governing Bodies.

Highlights included:

• Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. (IWS) received $136,933 to increase its capacity to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, or 2SLGBTQI+people with a focus on the Red River Métis community in Manitoba
  • IWS is engaging with public policy experts to identify research gaps, conduct annual GBA+ socio-economic surveys, develop a Métis-specific GBA+ toolkit and GBA+ policies for the national Métis government, affiliates, and organizations, along with the development of the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Action Plan, while evaluating and improving IWS’ internal capacity
• AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association Inc. received $153,331 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women and girls
  • This will be achieved by strengthening organizational governance, by travelling to communities to engage with women and stakeholders to develop an advocacy plan, by exploring funding opportunities, and by increasing knowledge and integrating cultural practices in the organization’s operations
• the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan was allocated $369,350 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+people, with a focus on Indigenous women and 2SGLBTQI+ people in northern Saskatchewan
  • This will be achieved by developing materials for community engagement, awareness campaigns, and education workshops; engaging with partners, Indigenous women, 2SGLBTQI+ people, and the public on their experiences and priorities related to GBV to inform the development of a safe space strategy; and implementation of the strategy at the provincial level and across Friendship Centres in Saskatchewan

The Increasing the Capacity of Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.3 by addressing the systemic marginalization of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals through targeted financial investments and structural support. It prioritizes resourcing Indigenous-led organizations that provide culturally relevant, community-driven solutions to GBV. By allocating dedicated capacity building funding to Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, financial resources are directed toward programs that reflect the distinct needs and priorities of Indigenous communities. This approach promotes self-determination by strengthening Indigenous capacity to deliver GBV prevention programming and advance reconciliation efforts in alignment with the human and Indigenous rights obligations outlined in this Call for Justice.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program as it invests with the aim to equip Indigenous communities with the necessary tools to address the root causes of violence and inequity, and have the financial resources and structural support necessary to create safer, more equitable communities.

Analysis of preliminary results has demonstrated that projects reported improved networks and partnerships through community-based research, stakeholder engagement, and consultations with Indigenous partners and community members. These efforts improved collaboration and expanded relationships. Projects enhanced their governance and financial health by reviewing bylaws, creating new policies, and improving financial management systems through evaluations and training. Several projects advanced their cultural competency by developing distinction-based materials, integrating cultural values into policies, and engaging Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Organizations also improved trauma-informed practices and created culturally specific supports, such as advisory councils and alliances with community leaders. Some projects strengthened human resources capacity by hiring staff, creating liaison roles, and improving processes, including onboarding documentation.

Starting in 2021, WAGE received $55 million over five years (2021 to 2026). Funding for 2025-2026 was allocated through a 2022 Call for Proposal.

• The program maintains 37 partnerships with urban Indigenous organizations operating across 65 sites, which deliver culturally safe registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status services to First Nations individuals living off-reserve, in addition to the 14 regional offices operated by ISC across the country.
• On December 24, 2025, ISC published the 2024 Annual Report on Registration under the Indian Act, First Nations Membership and Status Cards.
• Bill C-38, An Act to Amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), was first introduced in the House of Commons in December 2022, but did not pass before Parliament was dissolved in March 2025.
  • Bill C-38 was re-introduced in the Senate of Canada on May 29, 2025 as Bill S-2.
  • Legislative reform efforts continue through consultations on the proposed amendments related to expanding registration eligibility and addressing remaining inequities in the Indian Act.
• The department is continuing to advance the Collaborative Process on the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds, engaging Indigenous partners in developing long-term solutions to ongoing legislative and administrative challenges.
  • The deadline for Call for Proposals was December 5, 2025 and virtual information sessions have been carried out.
• ISC continues to invest in communications and outreach to address issues related to registration, clarify eligibility, and encourage uptake among eligible individuals.

This program responds to Call for Justice 1.3 by supporting the recognition and exercise of First Nations individuals’ legal entitlement to registration, which is fundamental to upholding their constitutional and human rights. This program ensures that individuals entitled under the Indian Act can access the rights, benefits, and services that flow from registration—including access to health care, education, and tax exemptions. These entitlements are critical to supporting First Nations individuals' well-being and ensuring their equitable participation in Canadian society. Further, the recognition of registration is an important step toward addressing past injustices and ensuring Indigenous Peoples can fully exercise their rights. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this initiative by securing access to critical services and benefits, and gaining recognition of their entitlement under the law, and the affiliation or membership within their respective First Nations. By confirming legal entitlement and expanding access to culturally safe registration services, particularly in urban areas where many survivors and family members live, the program directly supports their ability to access services needed for healing, safety, and stability. Ongoing legislative reform and collaborative engagement also aim to address past and current inequities, preventing further denial of rights and services to those impacted by systemic exclusion.

• Restoration of rights: Enables individuals to access rights, services, and benefits associated with registration
• Prevention of marginalization: Reduces social, economic, and political exclusion by affirming status
• Pathway to First Nation membership: Supports individuals in obtaining affiliation or membership within their nations.
• Supports devolution of services: Providing in-person registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status services through 34 urban Indigenous organizations at 58 service points across Canada, increasing accessibility for off-reserve individuals
• Ensures access to services: Registration supports access to federal programs, financial benefits, and social supports
• Addresses denial of services: Helps prevent individuals from being excluded due to lack of formal recognition
• Strengthens self-identification: Provides a means for individuals to establish formal recognition of their Indigenous identity

Indigenous Services Canada invests $35 million annually to support this program.

The program’s highlights for 2025-2026 include the following examples.

• The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability.
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation and Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.3 by explicitly funding and prioritizing activities that reduce marginalization experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Dedicated funding through multi-year, stable support has helped these organizations effectively engage at the grassroots level, identify community-led priorities, and make recommendations that shape budgets and government activities aimed at addressing marginalization.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests $8.6 million annually to support this program.

Engagement and negotiations in 2025-2026 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2025-2026:

• Nova Scotia Tripartite Forum Justice Committee
• Musqueam
• Acho Dene Koe
• K’ahsho Got’ine
• Dehla Got’ine
• Akwesasne
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (MB)
• Ontario Collaborative Table
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• Wolastoqey Nation (NB)
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

AJAs respond to Call for Justice 1.4 by creating formal mechanisms for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to be represented in the design and governance of their own justice systems. AJAs support the restoration of Indigenous legal institutions in ways that promote gender equity, inclusion, and culturally informed responses to justice. The negotiation processes are designed to reflect community priorities and incorporate the voices of women, youth, elders, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in shaping justice solutions that are responsive to their experiences.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people benefit from AJAs through increased safety and community-based responses that reflect Indigenous values and legal traditions. By enabling Indigenous communities to design justice systems grounded in cultural knowledge and community priorities, AJAs contribute to safer, more accountable, and more responsive justice systems.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal orders and laws
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and elders to shape justice reforms
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous legal traditions into broader justice frameworks

The Government is investing $8.1 million over five years (through 2026-2027) with $1.7 million ongoing to support future work.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters sets a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice-focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 1.4 by lifting the voices of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in leadership and governance roles. The Strategy recognizes that these voices have too often been silenced by sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and racism within political life. By moving towards a future with policies that both safeguard against discrimination and actively promote equitable participation, it opens space for leadership to flourish. What makes this response especially meaningful is that it puts forward the understanding that justice is not determined by colonial precedent, but about balance, respect, and the responsibilities we hold to one another. In honoring these principles, the Strategy supports the rightful place of Indigenous women, youth and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance, affirming their resilience and wisdom as essential to building a more just and inclusive future.

As the MMIWG Final Report reminds us, "These Calls for Justice are legal imperatives – they are not optional." Guided by that truth, Ultimately the strategy works to break down the overlapping systemic discrimination Indigenous communities face, while supporting culturally safe, trauma-informed reforms to the justice system.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report’s findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report’s emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long-term accountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report’s expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The Government is investing $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

The program’s highlights for 2025-2026 include the following examples.

• The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability.
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation and Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.4 by increasing the capacity of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to provide training and workshops to Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people who are interested in participating in all levels of political life. It also supported gatherings of Indigenous leaders, representatives, and membership to share best practices, and to cultivate supportive networks.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

For updates on the 2025-2026 fiscal year, progress by activity area can be found here when it becomes available: Government of Canada’s progress by priority area - Canada.ca. With regard to supporting Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ peoples, please also visit: Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Peoples - Canada.ca.

The Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan responds to part of Call for Justice 1.5 by advocating for implementing measures that protect the dignity and rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people, including Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people, through legal reforms, funding community-based initiatives, and enhancing data collection to inform future policy changes. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities may benefit from this as it works toward reducing and preventing inequities, discrimination, and violence against Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Strengthened legal protections: Enhanced anti-discrimination laws, human rights protections, and funding to combat hate crimes
• Inclusive policy and systemic reform: Embedding 2SLGBTQI+ considerations into federal policies, ensuring long-term structural change and whole-of-government collaboration
• Sustainable community investment: Up to $40 million in capacity-building grants for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, including Indigenous-led initiatives, to expand services and advocacy
• Targeted Indigenous support: Prioritized funding for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities, ensuring culturally relevant and accessible services
• Building community supports: Supporting Indigenous-led 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to enhance service delivery, advocacy, and long-term sustainability

Through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed up to $40 million to the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and up to $35 million for the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund. Additionally, Budget 2025 proposed $54.6 million over five years, starting in 2026-2027, with $10.9 million ongoing, to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community sector – including $7.5 million over five years, with $1.5 million ongoing, for Pride Security.

Highlights included:

• Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. (IWS) received $136,933 to increase its capacity to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, or 2SLGBTQI+people with a focus on Red River Métis community in Manitoba
  • IWS is engaging with public policy experts to identify research gaps, conduct annual GBA+ socio-economic surveys, develop a Métis-specific GBA+ toolkit and GBA+ policies for the national Métis government, affiliates, and organizations, along with the development of the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Action Plan, while evaluating and improving IWS’ internal capacity
• AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association Inc. received $153,331 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women and girls
  • This will be achieved by strengthening organizational governance, by travelling to communities to engage with women and stakeholders to develop an advocacy plan, by exploring funding opportunities, and by increasing knowledge and integrating cultural practices in the organization’s operations
• the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan was allocated $369,350 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+people, with a focus on Indigenous women and 2SGLBTQI+ people in northern Saskatchewan
  • This will be achieved by developing materials for community engagement, awareness campaigns, and education workshops; engaging with partners, Indigenous women, 2SGLBTQI+ people, and the public on their experiences and priorities related to GBV to inform the development of a safe space strategy; and implementation of the strategy at the provincial level and across Friendship Centres in Saskatchewan

The Increasing the Capacity of Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+Organizations initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.5 by actively supporting projects that seek to enhance the leadership of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. This initiative addresses the systemic barriers that have historically excluded these groups from governance and decision-making spaces by providing targeted financial investments and structural support to Indigenous-led organizations. By prioritizing the role of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in governance, the initiative ensures that their voices are central to shaping policies and programs that address GBV and broader social injustices in their communities.

By allocating dedicated funding to Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, the initiative ensures that financial resources are directed toward programs that enhance leadership capacity and policy advocacy. This approach promotes self-determination by strengthening Indigenous governance structures. By empowering Indigenous organizations to lead GBV prevention and response efforts, the initiative supports systemic change that fosters meaningful and equitable inclusion in decision-making processes.

The initiative reinforces the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing substantive equality and political inclusion by ensuring that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals have equitable access to governance roles, policy development opportunities, and institutional decision-making. Through its emphasis on Indigenous-led leadership and advocacy, the initiative contributes to dismantling discrimination in governance structures, creating safer and more inclusive political spaces, and supporting long-term systemic change in alignment with the legal and human rights obligations outlined in this Call for Justice.

Families, survivors and Indigenous communities have greater access to culturally appropriate GBV supports, advocacy resources, and in turn, face reduced systemic barriers to justice, legal representation, and survivor-centered responses.

Analysis of preliminary results has demonstrated that projects reported improved networks and partnerships through community-based research, stakeholder engagement, and consultations with Indigenous partners and community members. These efforts improved collaboration and expanded relationships. Projects enhanced their governance and financial health by reviewing bylaws, creating new policies, and improving financial management systems through evaluations and training. Several projects advanced their cultural competency by developing distinction-based materials, integrating cultural values into policies, and engaging Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Organizations also improved trauma-informed practices and created culturally specific supports, such as advisory councils and alliances with community leaders. Some projects strengthened human resources capacity by hiring staff, creating liaison roles, and improving processes, including onboarding documentation.

Starting in 2021, WAGE received $55 million over five years (2021–2026). Funding for 2025-2026 was allocated through a 2022 Call for Proposal.

The fourth annual IFPT Meeting on MMIWG2S+ took place on February 11 and 12, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario and hybrid format. The Meeting brought together families, survivors, Indigenous partners, and federal, provincial and territorial governments from across Canada to continue advancing the 231 Calls for Justice. Key areas of focus included continued engagement on the Red Dress Alert pilot, strategies to combat human trafficking, major projects and the impacts of extractive resource development on Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and exploring improvements to accountability mechanisms and local implementation strategies. Indigenous partners engaged through this year’s include national and regional Indigenous organizations, service providers, community leaders, and family members affected by violence.

The outcomes of the IFPT Meeting strengthened federal–provincial–territorial alignment on national priorities such as major projects, reinforced oversight on key safety priorities for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and underscored a shared understanding that the crisis of MMIWG2S+ requires urgent, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, stable funding mechanisms, and strong support systems to advance Indigenous-led priorities and leadership underpinned by clear intergovernmental accountability.

The IFPT Meeting on MMIWG2S+ responds to Call for Justice 1.5 by facilitating collaboration among Indigenous, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to share best practices, monitor progress, and address shared challenges. The meeting’s structure supports increased engagement, transparency, alignment across jurisdictions, and enhanced public awareness of ongoing efforts to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from the meeting through improved oversight and visibility of initiatives intended to address the immediate safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. The meeting serves as a forum to discuss the root causes of violence, and advance coordinated response measures, including strategies to combat human trafficking, increase Indigenous data sovereignty, implement the Red Dress Alert pilot, and expand social safety nets for 2SLGBQI+ people. The opportunity to highlight community progress and influence decision-making at senior government levels strengthens the role of Indigenous voices in shaping systemic change.

• Improves intergovernmental coordination: Establishes a standing mechanism for multi-jurisdictional collaboration on MMIWG2S+ priorities
• Centers Indigenous leadership: Elevates the voices of Indigenous leaders, families, and survivors in policy development and implementation
• Supports accountability: Provides a regular forum to track progress, identify gaps, and hold partners accountable
• Strengthens community visibility: Showcases community-led efforts and ensures that grassroots priorities inform government responses
• Enhances strategic alignment: Encourages policy coherence and shared ownership of MMIWG2S+ implementation across jurisdictions

The Government is investing $2.5 million over five years (2023–2024 to 2027–2028) to support the coordination and delivery of the Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on MMIWG2S+.

In 2025-2026, DND officials worked closely with Indigenous peoples and communities and representative organizations on the implementation of the Indigenous Reconciliation Program. Funding was allocated to promote early engagement and collaboration with Indigenous peoples and their communities and representative organizations on matters of common interest such as land access, real property transactions, NORAD modernization, military training and exercises in and around Indigenous territory. Indigenous recruitment and employment initiatives. Indigenous procurement strategies, the implementation of the UN Declaration and related departmental policies and programs. DND will continue to work closely with Indigenous Partners to report on progress and to communicate successes.

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Reconciliation Program responds to part of Call for Justice 1.5 by supporting work that strengthens respectful relationships, information sharing, and consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners in ways that help identify concerns, reduce harms, and support safer outcomes connected to Defence activities. The program supports reconciliation and improved relations with DND/CAF, responding to part of CFJ 1.5’s call for mandatory Indigenous history and rights education for public servants. By supporting the inclusion of diverse Indigenous voices, including women, Elders, youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, the program strengthens opportunities for Indigenous partners to shape Defence engagement in ways that align with the prevention and mitigation of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Indigenous families, survivors and communities may benefit from improved relationships and earlier, more inclusive engagement with DND and CAF that supports transparency, shared problem solving, and safer approaches to Defence related planning and decision making.

• Strengthened consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners: Grants and contributions support Indigenous participation in engagement on Defence priorities, including initiatives with major impacts, and strengthen relationship building between Indigenous communities and DND and CAF
• Improved information sharing and partnership based approaches: Funding supports dialogue, information sharing, and approaches such as co development and co management where appropriate, helping advance partnership based decision making on Defence activities
• Inclusion of diverse Indigenous voices in Defence engagement: The program supports the participation of women, Elders, youth, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and persons with disabilities, helping ensure engagement reflects a broad range of perspectives and priorities
• Support for reconciliation in Defence policies and practices: By enabling sustained engagement and Indigenous input, the program can help embed reconciliation and Indigenous rights considerations into DND and CAF policy development and implementation and reduce discriminatory impacts
• Support for safer approaches to Defence activities affecting lands and communities: Where engagement informs land use, training, and operations, the program can help identify concerns and support prevention and mitigation measures that reduce harms and support safer outcomes for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• Capacity for culturally relevant learning and awareness: Funded initiatives can strengthen awareness of Indigenous histories, cultures, and rights within Defence contexts and inform culturally safe institutional practices among CAF members and DND employees
• Predictable time limited funding for engagement and collaboration: Up to $1.5 million per year is available from 2023-2024 through 2026-2027, supporting engagement events through grants and multi year projects through contributions, including research support and policy development

The Indigenous Reconciliation Program provides $6 million over four years (2023-2024 to 2026-2027). Of this, $1,050,000 annually supports collaborative engagement on matters of defence infrastructure, real property planning and land use matters, with the goal to strengthening relationship building between DND and Indigenous people and their communities and representative organizations, and $450,000 annually supports the participation of and collaboration of Indigenous communities and organizations in DND’s consultation and engagement processes. This funding also enables initiatives that investigate, develop, propose, review, inform and/or consult on policy matters related to the Defence mandate or advancing the Defence Policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged.

Progress reports on the Federal GBV Strategy

Provincial-territorial implementation has continued, and details of this implementation will be available at: Bilateral agreements to end gender-based violence. Progress and outcomes will be measured against the Expected Results Framework now that baseline data measures are established. This will allow for enhanced reporting in future years and ensure accountability to Canadians in efforts to end gender-based violence.

The NAP to End GBV responds to part of Call for Justice 1.5 by working with provinces and territories to address the root causes of violence and create a Canada free of gender-based violence, including for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. The NAP to End GBV supports cross-jurisdictional work to prevent, investigate, and address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Through partnerships with provinces and territories, the plan strengthens protection services, funds culturally relevant supports, and implements Indigenous-led approaches to address the root causes of violence. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from increased access to culturally appropriate safety measures, trauma-informed services, and long-term policy commitments that aim to end GBV.

• Indigenous-led approaches: Ensures Indigenous perspectives, traditions, and governance are central to the GBV response
• Coordinated government action: Addresses jurisdictional gaps and provinces and territories fund shelters, transitional housing, and victim services for Indigenous GBV survivors, including those in remote areas
• Strengthened prevention and protection: Prioritizes culturally appropriate interventions and early response mechanisms for Indigenous communities
• Addressing root causes: Tackles socioeconomic inequalities contributing to GBV, including housing, education, and justice reforms

The government has invested $539.3 million over five years starting in 2023-2024, including $525 million over four years to enable provinces and territories to enhance services and supports within their jurisdiction. Since 2017-2018 more than $800 million and $44 million per year ongoing have been invested in the federal GBV Strategy.

Engagement and negotiations in 2025-2026 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2025-2026:

• Nova Scotia Tripartite Forum Justice Committee
• Musqueam
• Acho Dene Koe
• K’ahsho Got’ine
• Dehla Got’ine
• Akwesasne
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (MB)
• Ontario Collaborative Table
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• Wolastoqey Nation (NB)
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

Administration of Justice Agreements respond to Call for Justice 1.6 by supporting efforts to address long-standing challenges related to the enforcement of Indigenous laws and bylaws. The negotiation of AJAs provides a pathway for Indigenous governments to assert jurisdiction and develop legal orders that are respected by other levels of government. These efforts empower communities to uphold the rights and roles of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people within legal and political institutions.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from these agreements through strengthened legal systems that uphold political and cultural rights, address systemic barriers to justice, and enhance community capacity to deliver safety and accountability through Indigenous-led legal mechanisms.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal orders and laws
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and elders to shape justice reforms
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous legal traditions into broader justice frameworks

The Government is investing $8.1 million over five years (through 2026-2027) with $1.7 million ongoing to support future work.

This year, the EMFP was able to introduce a two-tier evaluation approach that sought to create a more expedited, less administratively onerous application and evaluation process for applicants bringing forward proposals valued at $50,000 or less. This new approach aimed to help smaller organizations with less robust administrative apparatuses still have a viable path to funding, and introduced firm, evidence-based funding caps for proposals. Larger proposals (over $50,000 ) were still eligible, but subject to more robust review, along the same evaluation criteria that all proposals were assessed, to ensure fairness across the process.

This was supplemented by a more focused, centralized callout centering around First Nations and indigenous organizations. The EMFP better leveraged internal tracking tools and technology, and build new practices that will ensure improved results tracking for proposals moving forward, as well as year over year tracking for multi-year proposals.

The Estates Management Funding Program responds to Call for Justice 1.6 by reducing jurisdictional barriers to estate services, ensuring First Nations communities have access to resources to support managing estates more directly and in ways more responsive to their unique social, cultural, and political needs.

The Estates Management Funding Program was able to successfully administer the EMFP National Callout for proposals and assess and distribute funds to all eligible proposals that were submitted for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. In all, 74 First Nations and Indigenous organizations were funded a total of $4,709,039.

In fiscal year 2025-2026, the initiative continued to build on the expanded mandate introduced in 2023 including:

• continued funding for FILUs in each province and territory in partnership with provincial and territorial governments
• continued Inter-jurisdictional information sharing to inform renewed models and new activities within the FILU framework, including the planning of a FILU knowledge exchange
• realignment by some jurisdictions to ensure that the appropriate provincial or territorial department/ministry is delivering and monitoring the FILUs

The FILU initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.6 by addressing the jurisdictional barriers that often prevent Indigenous families from accessing the information and services they need when a loved one goes missing or is murdered. By coordinating across federal, provincial, territorial, and sectoral boundaries, including policing, prosecutions, corrections, health, and social services, FILUs help ensure that families are not denied services due to jurisdictional disputes or institutional gaps. At the same time, through the FILU National Network, FILU teams work closely to support and assist family members who live in other regions of the country, reducing inter-jurisdictional barriers for family members who may live in one province or territory but who have a loved one who went missing, or was a victim of homicide, in another.

While Call for Justice 1.6 calls for the complete elimination of such gaps across all systems, the FILU initiative contributes to this goal by providing a dedicated, culturally grounded team that works across sectors to support families, improve service navigation, and reduce fragmentation in the justice system’s response to Indigenous peoples and communities.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by receiving coordinated, timely, and culturally appropriate support that acknowledges their right to information.

• Enhanced family-centered services: FILUs ensure that families have access to all the available information about their loved one, from multiple agencies, and connects families to all available supports they may need at the community level
• Culturally grounded support - First Nations, Métis and Inuit specific support services:
  • FILUs across Canada are regularly building their capacity to address and reflect the unique needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit families navigating the justice system so that families receive culturally relevant, trauma-informed services that reflect their values, traditions and experiences
  • A key principle for FILUs is that they provide trauma-informed services that respect Indigenous traditions
• Enhanced interagency collaboration and interjurisdictional coordination to eliminate jurisdictional barriers:
  • FILUs assist families in accessing information about their loved ones across sectors (for example, justice, corrections, health, social services) as well as across federal, provincial, and territorial systems
  • FILUs support families in overcoming systemic barriers by coordinating access to information from various agencies, including police, courts, and victim services. At the same time, FILUs work across and between provinces and territories to ensure a coordinated response
  • FILUs also provide coordinated, inter-jurisdictional support for families through the National FILU Network, creating opportunities to support family members who live in one province or territory to access information about their loved one held in another
• Enhanced services: FILUs are now able to develop and design new methods to support families, including families of missing or murdered men and boys - some FILUS have moved forward in this area and others are exploring options to do so.

FILUs are funded through the Federal Victims Strategy’s Victims Fund, with a 2023 commitment of $37.3 million over five years and $7.5 million annually on an ongoing basis. In 2025-2026 almost $7.4 million was committed for provinces and territories for the delivery of the FILUs.

For updates on the 2025-2026 fiscal year, progress by activity area can be found here when it becomes available: Government of Canada’s progress by priority area - Canada.ca. With regard to supporting Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ peoples, please also visit: Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Peoples - Canada.ca.

The 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund respond to part of Call for Justice 1.6 by providing resources to 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, including Indigenous-led organizations. These funds support community-led delivery of culturally appropriate services, advocacy, and peer support networks for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from community-led initiatives that provide direct services and advocacy for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Strengthened legal protections: Enhanced anti-discrimination laws, human rights protections, and funding to combat hate crimes
• Inclusive policy and systemic reform: Embedding 2SLGBTQI+ considerations into federal policies, ensuring long-term structural change and whole-of-government collaboration
• Sustainable community investment: Up to $40 million in capacity-building grants for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, including Indigenous-led initiatives, to expand services and advocacy
• Targeted Indigenous support: Prioritized funding for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities, ensuring culturally relevant and accessible services
• Building community supports: Supporting Indigenous-led 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to enhance service delivery, advocacy, and long-term sustainability

Through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed up to $40 million to the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund and up to $35 million for the 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund. Additionally, Budget 2025 proposed $54.6 million over five years, starting in 2026-2027, with $10.9 million ongoing, to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community sector – including $7.5 million over five years, with $1.5 million ongoing, for Pride Security.

Highlights included:

• Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. (IWS) received $136,933 to increase its capacity to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, or 2SLGBTQI+people with a focus on Red River Métis community in Manitoba
  • IWS is engaging with public policy experts to identify research gaps, conduct annual GBA+ socio-economic surveys, develop a Métis-specific GBA+ toolkit and GBA+ policies for the national Métis government, affiliates, and organizations, along with the development of the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Action Plan, while evaluating and improving IWS’ internal capacity
• AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association Inc. received $153,331 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women and girls
  • This will be achieved by strengthening organizational governance, by travelling to communities to engage with women and stakeholders to develop an advocacy plan, by exploring funding opportunities, and by increasing knowledge and integrating cultural practices in the organization’s operations
• the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan was allocated $369,350 to increase its ability to prevent and address GBV against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+people, with a focus on Indigenous women and 2SGLBTQI+ people in northern Saskatchewan
  • This will be achieved by developing materials for community engagement, awareness campaigns, and education workshops; engaging with partners, Indigenous women, 2SGLBTQI+ people, and the public on their experiences and priorities related to GBV to inform the development of a safe space strategy; and implementation of the strategy at the provincial level and across Friendship Centres in Saskatchewan

The Increasing the Capacity of Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.6 by working to eliminate jurisdictional gaps that prevent Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals from accessing essential services. By investing in capacity building Indigenous-led projects, the initiative provides support to organizations to bridge jurisdictional divides so that Indigenous people receive the care and support they need without discrimination or systemic obstacles. Through the allocation of capacity building funding, the initiative enhances the ability of Indigenous organizations to lead education, policy reform, and legal advocacy efforts that contribute to more effective responses to violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. It reinforces organizations’ ability to challenge barriers to justice, hold institutions accountable, and ensure that survivors and their families have access to appropriate compensation, healing programs, and safety measures.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program as it expands access to life-saving services, enhances Indigenous self-determination, and ensures that GBV prevention efforts are rooted in Indigenous knowledge and community leadership.

Analysis of preliminary results has demonstrated that projects reported improved networks and partnerships through community-based research, stakeholder engagement, and consultations with Indigenous partners and community members. These efforts improved collaboration and expanded relationships. Projects enhanced their governance and financial health by reviewing bylaws, creating new policies, and improving financial management systems through evaluations and training. Several projects advanced their cultural competency by developing distinction-based materials, integrating cultural values into policies, and engaging Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Organizations also improved trauma-informed practices and created culturally specific supports, such as advisory councils and alliances with community leaders. Some projects strengthened human resources capacity by hiring staff, creating liaison roles, and improving processes, including onboarding documentation.

Starting in 2021, WAGE received $55 million over five years (2021–2026). Funding for 2025-2026 was allocated through a 2022 Call for Proposal.

The fourth annual IFPT Meeting on MMIWG2S+ took place on February 11 and 12, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario and hybrid format. The Meeting brought together families, survivors, Indigenous partners, and federal, provincial and territorial governments from across Canada to continue advancing the 231 Calls for Justice. Key areas of focus included continued engagement on the Red Dress Alert pilot, strategies to combat human trafficking, major projects and the impacts of extractive resource development on Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and exploring improvements to accountability mechanisms and local implementation strategies. Indigenous partners engaged through this year’s include national and regional Indigenous organizations, service providers, community leaders, and family members affected by violence.

The outcomes of the IFPT Meeting strengthened federal–provincial–territorial alignment on national priorities such as major projects, reinforced oversight on key safety priorities for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and underscored a shared understanding that the crisis of MMIWG2S+ requires urgent, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, stable funding mechanisms, and strong support systems to advance Indigenous-led priorities and leadership underpinned by clear intergovernmental accountability.

The IFPT Meeting on MMIWG2S+ responds to Call for Justice 1.6 by creating a regular cross-jurisdictional space to coordinate responses to the national MMIWG2S+ crisis. The meeting provides a mechanism for Indigenous governments and organizations to work directly with federal, provincial, and territorial partners on identifying barriers, proposing solutions, and aligning priorities for implementation of the National Action Plan. These discussions are grounded in shared commitments to reduce violence and improve outcomes for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from the meeting by participating in a coordinated process that advances transparency, accountability, and intergovernmental collaboration. Through direct involvement in meeting discussions and the inclusion of intersectional and grassroots perspectives, the initiative ensures that solutions reflect lived experience and community-defined priorities.

• Improves intergovernmental coordination: Establishes a standing mechanism for multi-jurisdictional collaboration on MMIWG2S+ priorities
• Centers Indigenous leadership: Elevates the voices of Indigenous leaders, families, and survivors in policy development and implementation
• Supports accountability: Provides a regular forum to track progress, identify gaps, and hold partners accountable
• Strengthens community visibility: Showcases community-led efforts and ensures that grassroots priorities inform government responses
• Enhances Strategic Alignment: Encourages policy coherence and shared ownership of MMIWG2S+ implementation across jurisdictions

The Government is investing $2.5 million over five years (2023–2024 to 2027–2028) to support the coordination and delivery of the annual Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on MMIWG2S+.

Click here to find progress reports on the Federal GBV Strategy

Provincial-territorial implementation has continued, and details of this implementation will be available at: Bilateral agreements to end gender-based violence. Progress and outcomes will be measured against the Expected Results Framework now that baseline data measures are established. This will allow for enhanced reporting in future years and ensure accountability to Canadians in efforts to end gender-based violence.

The NAP to End GBV responds to part of Call for Justice 1.6 by addressing jurisdictional gaps and ensuring that Indigenous communities, regardless of location, have access to critical support services. The plan promotes federal-provincial-territorial coordination, ensuring that GBV services are equitably distributed and accessible, including in rural, remote, and Northern Indigenous communities. The alignment with the MMIWG2S+ National Action Plan strengthens accountability mechanisms. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from enhanced service delivery, increased funding for Indigenous-led initiatives, and strengthened policies to prevent and address violence.

• Indigenous-led approaches: Ensures Indigenous perspectives, traditions, and governance are central to the GBV response
• Coordinated government action: Addresses jurisdictional gaps and provinces and territories fund shelters, transitional housing, and victim services for Indigenous GBV survivors, including those in remote areas
• Strengthened prevention and protection: Prioritizes culturally appropriate interventions and early response mechanisms for Indigenous communities
• Addressing root causes: Tackles socioeconomic inequalities contributing to GBV, including housing, education, and justice reforms

In 2022, $539.3 million was allocated over five years, including $525 million over four years to enable provinces and territories to enhance services and supports within their jurisdiction. In 2024-2025 (Year 2 of funding), total federal funding available to provinces and territories was $150 million. More than $800 million and $44 million per year ongoing have been invested in the federal GBV Strategy since 2017-18.

• The program maintains 37 partnerships with urban Indigenous organizations operating across 65 sites, which deliver culturally safe registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status services to First Nations individuals living off-reserve, in addition to the 14 regional offices operated by ISC across the country.
• On December 24, 2025, ISC published the 2024 Annual Report on Registration under the Indian Act, First Nations Membership and Status Cards.
• Bill C-38, An Act to Amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), was first introduced in the House of Commons in December 2022, but did not pass before Parliament was dissolved in March 2025.
  • Bill C-38 was re-introduced in the Senate of Canada on May 29, 2025 as Bill S-2.
  • Legislative reform efforts continue through consultations on the proposed amendments related to expanding registration eligibility and addressing remaining inequities in the Indian Act.
• The department is continuing to advance the Collaborative Process on the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds, engaging Indigenous partners in developing long-term solutions to ongoing legislative and administrative challenges.
  • The deadline for Call for Proposals was December 5, 2025 and virtual information sessions have been carried out.
• ISC continues to invest in communications and outreach to address issues related to registration, clarify eligibility, and encourage uptake among eligible individuals.

This program responds to part of Call for Justice 1.6 by confirming legal entitlement to registration under the Indian Act, and ensuring that First Nations individuals can access essential services and benefits that would otherwise be denied without proof of status. Call for Justice 1.6 urges all governments to eliminate jurisdictional gaps and neglect that result in the denial of services, including health, education, and social supports, to First Nations people. While the Indian Act registration process itself is not a direct service delivery mechanism, it serves as a gateway to many essential services and benefits that are often contingent on registration status. Without registration, many First Nations individuals face barriers to accessing these rights and entitlements. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this initiative by helping to remove barriers that prevent them from accessing critical services, supports, and entitlements tied to registration status. By confirming legal entitlement and expanding access to culturally safe registration services, particularly in urban areas where many survivors and family members live, the program directly supports their ability to access services needed for healing, safety, and stability. Ongoing legislative reform and collaborative engagement also aim to address past and current inequities, preventing further denial of rights and services to those impacted by systemic exclusion.

• Restoration of rights: Enables individuals to access rights, services, and benefits associated with registration
• Prevention of marginalization: Reduces social, economic, and political exclusion by affirming status
• Pathway to First Nation membership: Supports individuals in obtaining affiliation or membership within their nations.
• Supports devolution of services: Providing in-person registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status services through 34 urban Indigenous organizations at 58 service points across Canada, increasing accessibility for off-reserve individuals
• Ensures access to services: Registration supports access to federal programs, financial benefits, and social supports
• Addresses denial of services: Helps prevent individuals from being excluded due to lack of formal recognition
• Strengthens self-identification: Provides a means for individuals to establish formal recognition of their Indigenous identity

Budget 2024 secured funding on a permanent basis. This is part of the total $35 million in Operating Budget for the program for the fiscal year.

In 2025-2026, significant progress was made to strengthen Nunavut’s coordinated, child-centred response to abuse and neglect. Several major developments now formalize, expand, and operationalize the coordinated model.

The RCMP and the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Family Services signed a comprehensive five year Memorandum of Understanding. This established an aligned, concurrent investigative process under the Child and Family Services Act. This Memorandum of Understanding solidifies practices already occurring informally under Surusinut Ikajuqtigiit – Nunavut Child Abuse and Neglect Response Agreement and creates a legally compliant, enduring foundation for a unified response. To date, this is the most formal and detailed description for how child protection and criminal investigations must run concurrently, and sets expectations for:

• Immediate two way notification requirements
• Early joint development of an investigative strategy
• Clear direction on trauma minimizing practices when interviewing children
• Tightened personal information stewardship obligations laid out in the Privacy Act, Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy
• Annual review and multi level dispute resolution processes

Under the authority of the Surusinut Ikajuqtigiit Committee, the territory released a multi sector Child Sexual Abuse Action Plan, with actionable, time bound steps beginning immediately in 2025-2026.

These include:

• In September 2025, the deployment of a mobile, interdisciplinary response team made up of RCMP Special Investigations and Community Social Services Workers, with language and interpretation supports
• Regular case audits and peer reviews to ensure quality and consistency of child centred investigations
• Between September and December 2025, the development of a case based information sharing protocol across all Surusinut partners to eliminate file handoff gaps
• Preparation and launch of a territory wide public education campaign on child sexual abuse
• Cross departmental training opportunities in forensic interviewing, pediatric sexual assault response, and trauma informed practice

These activities formally embed the RCMP as a standing partner in every major aspect of the territory’s child sexual abuse prevention and response system.

The Coordination with child wellness teams model responds to Call for Justice 1.6 by resolving long standing jurisdictional gaps across Nunavut’s policing, child welfare, and health systems. The interagency framework clearly defines the responsibilities of each partner—from emergency risk assessment to case management and ongoing support—ensuring that children are protected without delay or confusion over which entity must intervene. By reducing the fragmentation that occurs when services operate independently, the model strengthens continuity of care and reduces the potential for systemic oversight in cases involving vulnerable children.

The formalization of this approach through the RCMP–Department of Family Services MOU represents a significant advancement in responding to Call for Justice 1.6. The MOU establishes explicit procedures for immediate cross-notification, joint development of investigative strategies, and coordinated decision making throughout an investigation. These mechanisms close historical gaps between criminal and child protection processes and create a unified, multiagency response grounded in the principles of the Surusinut Ikajuqtigiit agreement. Together, these improvements ensure that children’s safety is consistently prioritized through coherent coordinated action across all responsible systems.

• More coordinated child safety responses: Clear roles for the RCMP and the Department of Family Services help reduce delays when abuse or neglect is reported, and supports faster safety planning, protective measures, and follow-up support for children and families
• Reduced re-traumatization for children and families: The Umingmak Child Advocacy Center support child-centred, trauma-informed forensic interviewing, medical exams, therapy and advocacy. This helps reduce the number of times children have to retell their experiences. It also limits the need for families to navigate multiple systems on their own
• Stronger shared accountability across public institutions: The renewed agreement helps the RCMP, Family Services, and other partners work together more clearly and consistently. It sets shared expectations for follow-up, oversight, and learning, helping strengthen coordinated responses to violence
• A fully formalized, multi agency child protection pathway: With the signing of the RCMP–Department of Family Services Memorandum of Understanding and the implementation of the Child Sexual Abuse Action Plan, Nunavut now has the clearest and most structured cross system response to child abuse in its history
• Stronger specialist supports for children: Mobile teams, specialized pediatric training, and more efficient referrals to the Umingmak Child Advocacy Center help children access support through a more coordinated process. This means children and caregivers are supported in a single, well supported environment for interviews, medical care, and counselling
• Stronger accountability and case continuity: Regular case audits, peer reviews, and new information sharing protocols reduce the risk of cases being missed
  • Annual review of the Memorandum of Understanding and oversight by Surusinut Ikajuqtigiit also helps partners identify system level gaps and resolve them together
• More community-level ownership and culturally grounded policing: Through First Nations Inuit Policing Program Letters of Expectation, Community Consultative Group meetings, and RCMP V Division reporting, Inuit communities have direct influence on the priorities and deployment of enhanced policing resources. This supports stronger relationships with communities and aligns the distinctions based approach emphasized in the National Action Plan
• Earlier connection to wellness supports alongside investigative action: Embedding health and social service providers into the response ensures children and caregivers are linked to trauma-informed care and wraparound supports while investigative steps are underway, not only after legal processes conclude
• Improved protection in communities with limited immediate service availability: Where Child & Family Services capacity is constrained, RCMP risk assessment and emergency authorities can be activated to prevent serious harm, helping stabilize situations until full child-welfare supports are available
• Improved capacity through interdepartmental and cross sector training: Joint training with community social services workers, health providers, justice partners, and Umingmak Child Advocacy Center’s providers helps build shared understanding across sectors. This supports more consistent, trauma-informed responses for child and families across Nunavut’s 25 communities

Analysis at the federal level continues on the Report's findings and feedback from Indigenous and other partners as it works toward implementing a response to Call for Justice 1.7.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.7 by taking concrete steps toward establishing a National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson through an Indigenous-led and rights-based engagement process, and by supporting the work and mandate of the appointed Ministerial Special Representative. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this work through the creation of trusted, Indigenous-led mechanisms to address human rights violations and systemic injustices.

• Improves accountability and redress: Ombudspersons offer culturally safe, accessible pathways to seek to seek accountability and redress
• Supports healing and trust: Supports healing, empowerment, and the restoration of trust by ensuring that Indigenous voices guide the protection and promotion of their rights

Funding to support work of the Ministerial Special Representative has been expended. There is no current funding available at this time.

With funding investments announced in 2024, ISC has supported various Indigenous partners and health organizations to implement Indigenous-led initiatives nationally in 2025-2026. These initiatives address anti-Indigenous racism in health systems and improve access to high quality and culturally safe health services for Indigenous Peoples across all provinces and territories, and in urban settings. Various Health System Navigator and Patient Advocate positions across the country are being supported through this initiative. These positions are improving access to culturally safe care, and in some cases, offering spiritual support and services to clients in their Indigenous language. First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations also continue to be supported in their ongoing work to advance the restoration of Indigenous midwifery through the development or expansion of Indigenous midwifery programs, including Indigenous midwifery education. Furthermore, national Indigenous health organizations continue to be supported.

In 2025-26, AAIR Indigenous health system navigators and advocates responds to MMIWG Calls for Justice by improving access to culturally safe, trauma-informed, and Indigenous-led health supports for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. These roles help patients navigate complex health systems, access advocacy and recourse pathways, understand their rights, and address experiences of racism and discrimination in care settings. Examples of ongoing work include:

• Métis Nation British Columbia developed a Métis Health Experience Guidebook to support Métis patients in navigating health systems, understanding their rights, and accessing culturally safe care.
• 46 Indigenous health system navigators have been hired across the country. 18 are First Nations–specific, 6 are Métis-specific, and 22 serve all distinctions through National Association of Friendship Centers (NAFC) in urban areas.
• 6 Indigenous patient advocates have been hired nationally, including 5 who are First Nations–specific and 1 who is Métis-specific.
• The First Nations Health Ombudsperson Office in Saskatchewan continues to provide culturally safe advocacy, complaint resolution, and accountability mechanisms for First Nations patients experiencing racism, discrimination, or inequitable treatment within health systems.

In 2025-26, AAIR supported national Indigenous health professional organizations to strengthen Indigenous-led advocacy, workforce development, patient support, mentorship, wellness initiatives, and system transformation efforts. Examples of ongoing work include:

• Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) co-developed wellness and healing resources for Indigenous physicians and learners in partnership with Canadian Medical Association. They delivered mentorship initiatives reaching 14 Indigenous medical student while strengthening partnerships with the Conference Board of Canada to produce quantitative & qualitative reports identifying gaps and recommendations to improve supports for Indigenous medical learners. They also collaborated with Black Physicians of Canada, Federation of Medical Women of Canada, and Resident Doctors of Canada to advance equitable residency reforms and anti-racism in medical education.
• Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada developed educational modules on equity, diversity, inclusivity and Indigenous health to all pharmacy faculties and students. They partnered with pharmacy faculty members to create Indigenous-led pharmacy training, assignments and frameworks, applying Indigenous cultural and health equity learnings. They also launched a 6-module series on Indigenous Cultural Competency Training for pharmacy professionals: EDI and Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety Training for Pharmacy Professionals. And they translated best practices into self-regulated models for pharmacy professionals.
• First Nations Health Managers Association continues to develop training curriculum for Indigenous health system navigators to support standardization, education and network building for AAIR Indigenous navigators across the health system.
• National Collaborating Center for Indigenous Health's (NCCIH) Hearts-based Education and Anti-colonial Learning in Healthcare (H.E.A.L) project used arts-based, anti-colonial, and anti-oppressive learning approaches to address systemic racism and bias in health care. It was developed in collaboration with the Health Arts Research Centre and serves as an open-access initiative that uses storytelling, poetry, and visual arts to humanize patient experiences, strengthen culturally safe care, and support health providers, educators, and institutions in confronting colonial harms and inequities impacting First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse peoples.

In 2025-2026, the Indigenous midwifery funding continues to support the work being done by Indigenous midwives, communities, and advocates to restore Indigenous birth practices. Examples of this ongoing work include:

• the National Council of Indigenous Midwives' new Indigenous Midwifery Education Framework is supporting Nations to educate their own midwives and bring birth back to community
  • as of fall 2025, 13 Indigenous midwifery students in eight communities are completing their education while living and working in their Nations, an approach that strengthens cultural continuity, supports family wellness, and advances Indigenous self-determination in health care
• Sturgeon Lake First Nation, one of the original Budget 2017 Indigenous Midwifery demonstration projects, celebrated its first midwife assisted birth in the community in over 50 years in 2022
  • the community received additional investments for construction of their new standalone birthing centre, the Shirley Bighead Nihtāwiki and Ohpikihāwasowin Birthing and Childrearing Lodge, expected to open in Spring 2026
• new Métis-specific midwifery and doula projects are underway, including work by the Métis Nation Saskatchewan towards the development of a Métis midwifery education and training program, and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government's wraparound supports for expectant Métis families in Alberta provided and coordinated by Aunties
• the development and implementation of a network of Indigenous birth support workers in Saskatchewan to increase the accessibility of culturally appropriate services during hospital births
  •  these birth workers have access to training and provide one-on-one advocacy and support to First Nations families
  • they also coordinate a network of referrals connecting families with community-based services to maximize the potential for a safe return home
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council has begun work toward a community-based midwifery program and birth lodge in Canoe Lake
  • they have developed an Elders' committee and have begun community consultation to plan the path forward
• First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) has developed a series of certificate level programs: Indigenous Birth Support Workers, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and End-of-Life Care
  • training is available both in-person and online to maximize accessibility.
  • the courses may be used toward a degree in midwifery.
  • FNUniv has also developed a series of online micro-credentials for people who provide care and comfort during pregnancy, childbirth and/or the postpartum period. Courses focuses on understanding the unique needs of families during this crucial time.

The AAIR initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.8 by investing in measures that help prevent violence, abuse, and neglect in health systems and provide redress for Indigenous patients. Through culturally grounded education and advocacy efforts, the initiative equips both patients and providers with tools to recognize and respond to racism in care environments. Funded projects include the development of a toolkit to raise awareness of patient rights, resources for navigating complaints processes, and materials to guide healthcare providers in delivering safe and respectful care.

Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from improved knowledge of their rights and the availability of culturally safe services, contributing to greater confidence in seeking care and stronger accountability within health systems.

• Strengthens cultural safety: Supports culturally appropriate services across the health system
• Supports system navigation: Supports the training and employment of Indigenous health navigators and patient advocates
• Increases representation: Creates pathways for increasing Indigenous representation in health professions
• Prevents violence in care: Improves awareness and accountability through culturally safe training
• Supports reproductive justice: Expands access to Indigenous midwives, birth workers, and wraparound supports

The Government is investing $167.6 million over five years, starting in 2024-2025, to combat anti-Indigenous racism in Canada's health systems. Funding allocations are guided by distinctions-based approaches, community needs, and collaboration with Indigenous health leaders and regional tables to ensure ongoing relevance and impact.

The Family Violence Prevention Program collaborated with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous partners to advance the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, which seeks to establish new shelters and transition homes across Canada for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people escaping violence.

• As of March 2026, a total of 80 projects have been selected, 38 shelters and 42 transitional homes.
• The Family Violence Prevention Program supports new shelters with start up costs prior to the completion of construction.
• Ongoing funding to support operations is available once facilities are built and ready to receive clients.

The Family Violence Prevention Program supported over 400 community-driven violence prevention projects across Canada, including but not limited to public outreach and awareness campaigns, workshops, support groups, stress and anger management seminars, Indigenous knowledge land-based programming.

• The Family Violence Prevention Program supports the EmpowerMen project that engages men and boys in the prevention of family violence, that hosted a large gathering in its 2nd Law Enforcement Conference: Journey to Justice, to address the critical issues of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Canada, affecting women, children, Indigenous people, and gender-diverse individuals. Professionals from various sectors, including survivors, law enforcement, crown prosecutors, Indigenous leaders, policymakers, social workers, educators, and community leaders, came together to explore strategies to combat technology-facilitated trafficking, and the exploitation of Indigenous youth.
• The National Indigenous Circle Against Family Violence, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak received funding to lead culturally specific programming tailored to their respective communities.
• At the regional and grassroots level, organizations like Circling Buffalo, Three Eagle Wellness Society and the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition were supported to deliver community-rooted interventions.
  • Circling Buffalo created a series of radio announcements and informative videos that were broadcasted on local radio stations in Manitoba and shared via social media to promote awareness of family violence and prevention efforts.
• The Lethbridge and Area Métis Association was supported in their family violence prevention project to conduct a series of culturally specific workshops for Métis families, including Indigenous non-status individuals or families. The project aimed at preventing family violence in providing an opportunity for families to come together to learn about Metis traditions in an inclusive and wholistic healthy family unity. Workshops incorporate a language component, shared in Métis history and knowledge systems that instilled pride, confidence and positive self-image to prevent family violence.
• The Tunngasugit Inuit Resource Centre led a culturally relevant series of workshops aimed at addressing family violence among Inuit in Winnipeg. This family violence project was rooted in Inuit cultural practices and values, offering support for women, men, and youth to break the cycle of violence and build healthier family and community dynamics.

The FVPP responds to Call for Justice 1.8 by providing sustained and long-term funding for Indigenous communities and organizations to develop and implement culturally relevant violence prevention programs, education, and awareness campaigns. The initiative ensures that national and regional Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations receive core and sustainable funding to support violence prevention efforts. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program by gaining access to consistent, culturally appropriate services and resources that create safety, cultivate healing, and break cycles of violence.

• Indigenous-led violence prevention and capacity building: Funds Indigenous organizations to design and deliver community-led prevention programming (for example, workshops, outreach, support groups), including education and awareness campaigns and training that strengthen long-term local prevention capacity
• Safe, low-barrier shelter and housing access: Expands and sustains Indigenous-led emergency shelters, transitional housing, and second-stage housing that provide immediate safety and longer-term housing stability for survivors fleeing violence, including in remote, rural, northern, and urban contexts
• Trauma-informed, culturally safe wraparound supports: Increases access to crisis intervention, counseling, peer supports, referrals, and healing programming grounded in Indigenous cultural knowledge, Elders’ guidance, and land-based approaches, aligned to survivor needs (including trauma, mental health, and addictions)
• Targeted supports for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people: Improves access to safer spaces and culturally relevant supports for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people facing elevated risk of gender-based violence
• Distinctions-based reach for Inuit and Métis communities: Strengthens access to shelter/housing, prevention programming, and culturally relevant supports that reflect Inuit- and Métis-specific realities, including Inuit access in northern and urban regions and Métis-led prevention initiatives

The initiative is funded as part of the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy which receives $96.6 million annually to support the operation of new shelters and transitional homes, as well as to fund culturally appropriate violence prevention activities. In 2025-2026, the Family Violence Prevention Program spent $96.6 million, including $56.1 million to support facility operations, $0.7 million to support shelter project development, and $39.8 million to programs and services for Indigenous peoples facing gender-based violence.

Provinces and territories currently receiving federal support for the development and/or delivery of Indigenous family courtwork services include: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Justice Canada continues to work with other jurisdictions to develop frameworks for future delivery of Family Courtwork services.

Call for Justice 1.8 urges governments to provide long-term funding for Indigenous-led violence prevention and awareness programs. This initiative responds to part of this Call by strengthening Indigenous-led court support services that help families navigate child protection and family law matters. By equipping Indigenous individuals with knowledge of their legal rights and options, the program contributes to preventing family breakdowns and systemic barriers that can lead to further marginalization. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from increased access to culturally appropriate guidance and advocacy, fostering greater stability and self-determination.

• Empowered Indigenous clients: Individuals gain knowledge of their legal rights, leading to more informed decision-making
• Culturally competent services and culturally relevant legal navigation: Courtworkers provide support in ways that align with Indigenous values and traditions
• Stronger family and community support: Referrals to culturally relevant services ensure families receive holistic assistance
• Stronger advocacy and court support: Courtworkers help Indigenous individuals understand court processes and advocate on their behalf
• Increased access to justice, including restorative justice: By guiding Indigenous clients through the family court system, Courtworkers help reduce legal system barriers, and Courtworkers support non-adversarial resolutions in family and child protection cases
• Improved justice system equity: The program addresses systemic legal barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous families

In 2025-2026, $3 million was allocated to support Indigenous families involved in the family and/or child protection justice systems. Funding for building new delivery frameworks, and/or ongoing services is provided through agreements with provincial and territorial governments and services are delivered by Indigenous service providers. Federal funding for family courtwork services was provided for British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Northwest Territories, and Justice Canada continues to work with all jurisdictions in support of family courtwork services.

The IJP continues to support 34 civil and family mediation projects across Canada in 2025-2026. These are three-year projects from 2024-2025 to 2020-27 with a number of projects building off of the initial projects funded from Budget 2021. Current investments have prioritized support for 26 rural and remote projects that experience greater gaps in access to justice programs and services.

A few examples of funded projects include:

• Tla’amin First Nation in British Columbia to develop a Strengthening Families Program inclusive of family case planning and family group conferencing
• Yorkton Tribal Council in Saskatchewan to develop a family circle program to provide family mediation and school-based conflict mediation
• Tlicho Government in Northwest Territories to establish a family mediation program that handles civil disputes, intergenerational conflicts and family custody and parenting plans
• the Six Nations Government in Ontario to provide services to clients involved in civil and family matters

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.8 by providing long-term, sustainable funding for Indigenous-led community justice programs that focus on violence prevention, education, and conflict resolution. By investing in these culturally relevant services, the program strengthens Indigenous community autonomy and prevents the over-reliance on mainstream justice systems that have historically marginalized Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by gaining access to conflict resolution mechanisms that respect their traditions, strengthen community ties, and promote healing.

• Culturally rooted support for families and youth: Ensures that custody disputes and family conflicts are resolved in a manner that prioritizes healing and reconciliation, provides Indigenous-led mediation that incorporates traditional practices and values and ensures that mediation processes are culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-driven
• Conflict prevention: Works to resolve disputes in a non-adversarial manner and aims to reduce the likelihood of legal escalation
• Increased access to Indigenous-led justice: Expands alternatives to mainstream legal processes, reducing barriers to justice for Indigenous people. Provides culturally aligned mediation that respects Indigenous traditions and governance

In 2024, the Indigenous Justice Program received $14.5 million over five years and $2.9 million ongoing for Civil and Family Mediation. Currently, 34 projects are funded from 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

As of fiscal year 2024-2025, the ongoing program integrity funding provided for in 2024 has been allocated to IJP Community-based Justice Fund recipients. This funding enhancement has ensured there are no lapses in justice services provided by IJP funded programs and addresses key gaps in access to Indigenous cultural programs and services that are effective in addressing overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Some examples of IJP community-based justice programs that received program integrity funding include:

• the Tsuu’tina Nation in Alberta who provides Peacemaker services to the Tsuu’tina Peacemaker court on-reserve
• the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network in Nova Scotia that promotes prevention, provides diversion services referred by provincial courts or Indigenous court workers, communities and provide sentencing circles
• the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society in British Columbia that delivers prevention, alternative measures, support to Vancouver Indigenous court and victim’s support

The IJP responds to Call for Justice 1.8 by ensuring long-term, community-led, and culturally relevant justice alternatives that prevent violence, support healing, and strengthen Indigenous legal traditions. The program’s focus on diversion and restorative justice contributes to Indigenous community self-determination in justice matters, reinforcing the need for stable, core funding to sustain these essential initiatives.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative as it empowers Indigenous justice approaches, prevents incarceration, and strengthens community resilience through culturally responsive justice solutions.

• Prevention and diversion: IJP-funded programs focus on diversion, mediation, and restorative justice, helping prevent violence and conflict before they escalate to formal legal proceedings, and also support pre-charge, post-charge, and sentencing diversion to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing.
• Focus on Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Métis communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Métis-specific mediation: Programs facilitate family and community mediation. Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Conflict resolution support: Mediation prevents legal escalation and promotes family unity

In 2024, the Government announced $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program. Investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities in funding agreements that span 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

As of March 31, 2026, $395.97 million has been conditionally or financially committed toward the construction of 38 new shelters and 42 transitional homes.

• Initial capital funding to projects: $398 million including:
  • $7.2 million per facility in Territories and Inuit Nunangat
  • $3.48 million per facility in Provinces
• $22 million in administrative funding

ISTHI responds to Call for Justice 1.8 by creating sustainable, long-term funding mechanisms for Indigenous communities and organizations to develop and implement violence prevention programs and culturally relevant shelters. Through an annual Call for Proposals, Indigenous-led organizations define and lead the delivery of services, ensuring community-driven solutions. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit by gaining access to safe, culturally grounded spaces for healing and protection.

• Housing expansion: Expanded emergency and transitional housing for Indigenous survivors of gender-based violence, including Indigenous-led projects
• Enhanced Indigenous-led supports: Strengthened Indigenous-led victim services and housing supports, including increased access to safe, culturally appropriate housing
• Culturally relevant support services: Increased access to culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, community-led, wraparound support services for survivors
• Enhanced safety and stability for survivors: Increased safety and security for Indigenous women and families escaping violence, including long-term options
• Sustainable housing solutions: Support for long-term housing solutions and wraparound services
• Indigenous leadership and capacity building: Strengthened Indigenous leadership in family violence prevention and provided funding for community-led violence prevention
• Métis-led violence prevention and leadership in housing services: Strengthened Métis-led violence prevention efforts and leadership in shelter and housing services
• Expansion of culturally appropriate supports: Expansion of culturally appropriate, community-driven supports

Since 2021, $395.97 million has been committed towards the construction of new shelters, with construction funding managed by CMHC and flowed to Indigenous partners.

In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, CMHC funded four new projects through ISTHI and provided $16.7 million in funding.

The program’s highlights for 2025-2026 include the following examples.

• The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability.
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation and Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.8 by providing funding certainty through long-term, stable funding to Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to support sustained organizational capacity, governance, and community engagement. Multi-year funding enables organizations to plan, retain expertise, engage communities, and participate meaningfully in policy, prevention, and advocacy work, while reducing administrative burden and supporting long-term resilience.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

The Anti-Racism Secretariat continued to support federal departments in advancing initiatives under the Changing Systems, Transforming Lives: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024 to 2028 (CARS), which were undertaken in collaboration with Indigenous partners.

This work responds to Call for Justice 1.9, by co-developing a comprehensive, Indigenous-informed approach to dismantling anti-Indigenous racism, confronting systemic discrimination, and embedding transformative change across federal systems. This approach recognizes the need to address the legacy and ongoing impacts of colonization and respects the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative through strengthened government accountability, the amplification of Indigenous voices in systemic policy reform, and the creation of safer, more respectful and equitable public systems.

• Systemic change grounded in Indigenous priorities: Will establish a comprehensive approach that centres Indigenous rights and perspectives to challenge colonial and racist systems, serving as an early step toward transformational changes in federal systems that have historically and continue to contribute to harm, discrimination, and marginalization
• Early and ongoing Indigenous engagement: Builds a co-development process rooted in ongoing dialogue and respect for inherent and treaty rights while ensuring intersectional considerations are integrated throughout co-development
• Alignment with national anti-racism commitments: Integrates Indigenous priorities into the broader Changing Systems, Transforming Lives strategy to ensure cohesive, whole-of-government accountability

Funding decisions have yet to be confirmed.

During the 2025-26 fiscal year, Canadian Heritage continued to lead Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, through a community-driven and intersectional approach. This includes the priority of addressing anti-Indigenous racism, including to repair and forge more equitable relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Similarly, within Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, the Government reaffirms its commitment to a "renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship", through an intersectional approach that includes families and survivors, Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ partners, and Indigenous-led organizations.

As a result of the Anti-Racism call for proposals launched in October 2024, the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program supported a total of 79 projects in 2025-26, representing investments of more than $10.5 million. The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) funded employment-focused initiatives that address systemic racism and discrimination within Canada’s arts, culture, and heritage organizations and institutions, as well as the creative industries. These initiatives aim to enhance access to and inclusivity in workplaces by contributing to the development of culturally inclusive employment policies and practices, increasing representation and inclusion in decision-making and governance, and expanding access to supports and leadership opportunities for Indigenous, Black, and other racialized and religious minority communities.

Recognizing the deep-rooted impacts of colonialism and white supremacy, these initiatives focus on Indigenous, Black, racialized, and religious minority populations who experience disproportionate barriers to equality. CARS prioritizes a whole-of-government approach to dismantle systemic racism within federal institutions, focusing on economic, social, and cultural empowerment, justice system reforms, and public sector accountability. CAPCH is the first-ever national strategy to combat hate, bringing together 20 key federal initiatives to prevent hate crimes, support victims, and improve institutional responses.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.9 by challenging the acceptance and normalization of violence through the implementation of anti-racism policies and public education campaigns. By integrating anti-racist, anti-oppression, and intersectional frameworks into public services and governance, these efforts work to combat the racist ideologies that contribute to the violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Public education and outreach efforts under these initiatives increase awareness of systemic discrimination and racial violence, reducing stigma and harmful stereotypes.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from these initiatives as they work to dismantle systemic racism, prevent racialized violence, and promote long-term social equity.

• Systemic reform for equity: Structural changes in federal policies, justice, healthcare, and law enforcement to enhance accountability, inclusion, and anti-racist practices
• National anti-racism and anti-hate education: Public education initiatives and resources to combat racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and gendered discrimination, with a focus on Indigenous communities
• Community leadership and investment: Funds to support Indigenous, Black, racialized, and religious minority organizations leading anti-racism initiatives, recognizing communities as key agents of change through CARS. Funds for initiatives that prevent and address hate in Canada, including building community capacity, through CAPCH ($25 million over five years).
• Increased understanding of racism and discrimination: Funds research and data initiatives that advance understanding of racism and discrimination in Canada, including efforts to increase disaggregated and intersectional data to better understand the experiences of Indigenous populations
• Intersectional policy integration: Embedding anti-racist, gender-inclusive principles into federal programs and institutions to create more equitable policies and services
• Indigenous-led cultural and anti-hate initiatives: Dedicated funding for Indigenous-driven education, cultural revitalization, and programs addressing systemic discrimination and hate

The Government’s Spring Economic Update 2026 provided $66 million over two years for Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy. In 2024, the Government allocated $273.6 million over six years for Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, with $29.3 million ongoing. In 2023, the Government allocated $25.4 million over five years to Anti-Racism Strategy. This was in addition to the $85 million over four years invested in 2022 for the Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate.

Launch of the new Indigenous Women Program Pilot continues with three of six sites in the implementation phase.

CSC’s culturally responsive correctional programming and Indigenous healing at women's institutions responds to Call for Justice 1.9 by providing institutional education that actively counters the normalization of violence, and embedding Indigenous healing in federal institutions challenges punitive colonial approaches.

• Curriculum content: IWOCP teaches emotion management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, communication, and emphasizes healthy relationships and positive lifestyles, directly countering pro-violence beliefs and behaviours within the correctional setting
• Culturally grounded delivery: All program streams include Elder involvement and culturally relevant teachings/ceremonies; identity building and empowerment are explicit goals, important for unlearning violence that has been normalized through colonial harms.
• Continuation and reinforcement: Self-management and modular interventions (including secure-unit modules for Indigenous women) reinforce anti-violence skills during sentence and into community supervision, sustaining behaviour change
• Healing-focused environments: Women’s healing lodges (for example, Okimaw Ohci, and Section 81 lodges like Buffalo Sage and Eagle Women’s Lodge) provide culturally safe spaces that centre non-violence, community connection, and Elder guidance, further denormalizing violence in daily routines

No new funding attached to the pilot program.

The Management Action Plan from the audit of the Mother-Child Program (MCP), completed in spring 2025, remains on track for completion by 2027. The MCP framework was reviewed and updated to incorporate audit recommendations and align with identified needs.

Separately, CSC conducted consultations with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Indigenous women to gather feedback on the MCP. An action plan—reflecting the feedback grounded in lived experience and practical recommendations—is being developed to inform improvements to the program, with a focus on better supporting Indigenous women.

CSC has enhanced the MCP through a broader definition of "mother," revised eligibility criteria, and increased awareness among incarcerated women, with a focus on Indigenous women. A draft policy is expected by March 2027.

The MCP responds to Call for Justice 1.9 by supporting the mother-child bond inside correctional institutions, challenging systemic practices that sever Indigenous family ties, and thereby challenging the normalization of systemic violence.

• Facilitated contact with legal actors and family courts: The MCP designates a Mother-Child Coordinator who "coordinates and/or facilitates the mother’s interactions… with lawyers [and] family court to ensure parental and/or legal responsibilities are met," improving practical access to counsel and proceedings from inside an institution
• Temporary absences for parental/legal responsibilities: Institutional Heads must ensure a process to apply for Escorted Temporary Absences (ETAs) under Commissioner’s Directive 710-3 for parental responsibility, which can include attending court-related obligations that affect the child, and which enables in-person participation where appropriate
• Structured liaison with child-welfare agencies: The Mother-Child Coordinator follows up with relevant child-welfare agencies, and eligibility requires CWA support, creating a channel to address court orders, visitation plans, and custody issues that often require legal assistance
• Documentation and recognition of court orders: Eligibility criteria explicitly consider existing court orders that govern mother–child contact, embedding legal constraints and rights into case management and prompting early legal consultation when needed
• Continuity planning around release and re-entry: MCP procedures tie release planning to continued care of the child, which often intersects with family-law requirements, again prompting coordination with counsel and courts

Each women’s institution receives an annual allocation of $50 000 to administer the MCP. Additionally, each site is provided $250 per incarcerated woman to support MCP delivery. Institutions are responsible for distributing these funds and organizing services and programs according to the needs of the women in their care. As for the Resourcing Indicators, the salary of a 0.5 Full Time Employee – Social Program Officer – is allocated for the Mother-Child Coordinator.

PHAC’s Preventing Family Violence Program is contributing:

• $1,378,870 over four years (2025 to 2029) to support Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak’s work of creating and testing culturally relevant resources that support Métis families and health care providers, social workers and service providers involved in reproductive care
  • The project aims to support and engage Métis families who are either at risk or currently experiencing child welfare involvement while accessing reproductive care
• $1,111,176 over five years (2024 to 2029) to the University of Toronto to partner with two Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies and one Children’s Aid Society to evaluate four culturally-based health promotion interventions in Ontario.
  • The project will reach 1,200 children and families receiving these interventions and will also work with the service providers to support their unique needs
• $1,186,339 over four years (2022 to 2026) to support the Council of Yukon First Nations to develop, deliver and test a violence prevention program in the Yukon by and for Yukon First Nations
• $786,287 over four years (2022 to 2026) to support the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi is implementing and evaluating the Kaskinomatasowin program, a sexual abuse prevention and healthy relationship promotion program for children and youth.
  • The project, which is an extension of the Lantern|Awacic prevention program tailored to the needs of the Atikamekw culture, is developing a culturally adapted, parent specific module to increase parental skills and prevent child sexual violence and targets over 200 parents from three Atikamekw Indigenous communities in Quebec

In addition, PHAC’s Preventing Family Violence Program is funding five Indigenous-focused projects aimed at preventing child maltreatment and youth dating violence. These projects are reaching over 1,270 Indigenous children, youth, and families, as well as service providers, across Canada by providing them with the tools to build safe, supportive relationships. These projects focus on cultural identity, healing, and promoting healthier relationships in Indigenous communities. In addition, the projects support the development, delivery, and testing of interventions that strengthen safe, supportive relationships and reduce experiences of violence among Indigenous children and youth; are led by Indigenous-focused organizations and designed to reflect community realities and strengths, with prevention approaches that are culturally relevant and appropriate to local contexts; and emphasize youth engagement, culturally safe practice, multi-sector collaboration, and intervention research approaches that can include Indigenous knowledge systems. The projects are designed to meet the unique needs of Indigenous youth and their families, while also addressing the intergenerational trauma and cycles of violence caused by colonization, racism, and the Residential School System.

To prevent and address youth dating violence:

• Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. is receiving $601,959 over four years (2024 to 2028) to explore and promote the use of Red River Métis culture in building healthy relationships among youth
  • the initiative will reach 210 Métis youth in Manitoba, helping them feel a sense of belonging and improving their confidence
• Legacy of Hope Foundation is receiving $555,015 over three years (2024-2027) to develop an online toolkit aimed at preventing dating violence
  • the toolkit will include Indigenous voices and perspectives and will feature online workshops for 300 Indigenous youth across Canada, creating safe spaces for conversations about healthy relationships
• Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society is receiving $1,350,000 over five years (2024 to 2029) to develop a dating violence prevention program for 320 Inuit youth with disabilities across Nunavut
  • the project will focus on teaching these youth about healthy relationships and how to prevent dating violence in a way that is culturally and developmentally appropriate

To prevent and address child maltreatment:

• ILITAQSINIQ is receiving $1,864,320 over five years (2024 to 2029) to deliver two family strengthening programs in six communities across Nunavut
  • these programs will provide knowledge and skills on topics such as parenting, communication, and handling family dynamics, with the goal of helping 192 children and their caregivers.
• Martin Family Initiative is receiving $999,310 over five years (2024 to 2029) to adapt, deliver and evaluate their health and family well-being resources across Canada to better support over 250 early childhood professionals aimed at promoting positive parenting and contributing to the reduction of child maltreatment in the Indigenous communities they serve.

PHAC’s Preventing Family Violence Program responds to Call for Justice 1.9 by funding projects that deliver and test Indigenous-focused prevention interventions that equip children, youth, families, and service providers with practical tools to recognize violence, build safe relationships, and disrupt harmful norms before they escalate. PHAC supports the delivery of culturally grounded healthy-relationship programming for Métis youth, an online dating-violence prevention toolkit and workshops, and a culturally and developmentally appropriate prevention program for Inuit youth with disabilities, each of which directly targets attitudes and behaviours that can normalize coercion or abuse. On the child maltreatment side, family-strengthening programs and adapted resources for early childhood professionals support positive parenting, communication, and safer responses to family stressors, helping to reduce the conditions in which maltreatment becomes normalized or unaddressed. Funded projects also embed anti-violence education in everyday environments, training service providers, and generate evaluative evidence to inform policy and future public-education efforts, and promote healthy, respectful relationships among Indigenous children and youth.

• Indigenous-led prevention reaches children, youth, families, and service providers: Five Indigenous-focused projects expected to reach over 1,270 participants by strengthening safe, supportive relationships and reducing experiences of child maltreatment and youth dating violence
• Culturally grounded healthy-relationship education disrupts normalization of violence: Métis culture-based programming, an Indigenous-informed national toolkit/workshops, and Inuit-specific programming for youth with disabilities build practical skills to recognize coercion, set boundaries, and promote respectful relationships in culturally relevant ways
• Family strengthening and positive parenting supports reduce risk factors for maltreatment: Programs in Nunavut and adapted family well-being resources for early childhood professionals strengthen parenting, communication, and safer responses to family stressors, helping prevent harm before it escalates
• Improved inclusion for Inuit youth with disabilities: A culturally and developmentally appropriate prevention program expands access to dating-violence prevention education for Inuit youth with disabilities, addressing a critical service gap in northern contexts
• Evidence and capacity to sustain and scale prevention: Built-in testing and evaluation, youth engagement, and multi-sector collaboration strengthen what works in Indigenous-led prevention and support future policy and public education approaches to reduce violence

PHAC is investing up to $18 million in 2025-2026, and over $14 million per year ongoing, to support projects that promote safe relationships, prevent family violence, and equip health professionals and service providers to recognize and respond safely to family violence. The Program supports several projects that reach Indigenous populations, such as the projects referenced in the above sections.

The 2022 Public Service Employee Survey showed that RCMP employees who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ continue to experience harassment and discrimination at higher rates than non-2SLGBTQI+ employees. In response to these results, and in line with the recommendations from the Emerging from the Purge (PDF) report, the Positive Space Initiative was launched in 2025-2026.

This initiative aims to improve the workplace experience for 2SLGBTQI+ RCMP employees by helping to create a safer, more inclusive, and respectful environment. A key part of the initiative is the role of trained RCMP employee volunteers. These volunteers are known as Positive Space Ambassadors, and they are either part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community or allies. They provide confidential, judgment-free support, serve as advocates for inclusivity and respect, and help connect employees with relevant internal and external support resources.

The Positive Space Initiative includes a directory of Ambassador contacts, an active promotion through internal channels, and a dedicated internal web page that is available to all employees. This webpage brings together key learning tools and supports in one place. These include Agora’s 2SLGBTQ+ National course, the Canada School of Public Service’s 2SLGBTQI+ Learning Path, the RCMP Guide to Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary and Two-Spirit Employees, and networks including the RCMP Pride Network, the TNB2S Mentor Network, and the Public Service Pride Network Gender Expression and Identity Committee, as well as mental health and community resources and guidance on inclusive language to help foster respectful and affirming communication. Ambassadors have access to a comprehensive toolkit and reference materials to support their role. To ensure consistency and quality, volunteers must complete Canada School of Public Service training before becoming Ambassadors. This training helps strengthen inclusive practices within the organization.

The initiative works in alignment with other RCMP efforts, including those led by the Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat, the Pride Network, and Divisions, nationwide. Together, these reinforce the RCMP’s Core Values of taking responsibility, showing respect, serving with excellence, demonstrating compassion, and acting with integrity.

In addition, the RCMP continues to promote awareness and education through the observance of key commemorative and awareness days, including International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Public Service Pride Week, Transgender Awareness Week, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, among others. The RCMP delivers presentations and participates in events such as guest speaker sessions, Pride flag raisings, and community Pride parades. These activities aim to increase employee knowledge, understanding, respect and inclusion of all intersectional identities.

Finally, the RCMP is currently reviewing its Guide to Supporting Two Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Employees. This guide aims to enhance support for these employees, while highlighting the role all RCMP employees play in fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 1.9 by publicly acknowledging the RCMP’s historical discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ people—including the RCMP’s role in the LGBT Purge—the RCMP is confronting systemic violence rather than minimizing it. The publication itself functions as a form of institutional education, signaling to employees and the public that homophobia, transphobia, and gender-based discrimination are forms of violence rooted in colonial and patriarchal systems. Its companion training initiatives, Pride Employee Network, and inclusion of allyship content further strengthens the acknowledgment into active education and internal policy change at the RCMP.

• Creates a visible record of institutional accountability: A public-facing webpage that names historical discrimination and outlines reforms makes the RCMP’s commitments traceable over time, supporting transparency and enabling external scrutiny by communities, partners, and oversight bodies
• Supports trust rebuilding through acknowledgment of harm: By documenting the RCMP’s role in discriminatory practices and naming impacts, the page can reduce institutional denial and signal to 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people affected by the MMIWG2S+ crisis, that harms are recognized rather than minimized
• Establishes a baseline for consistent internal learning and culture change: Consolidating training, policy updates, and workplace initiatives in one place reinforces shared expectations for respectful conduct and service delivery, and gives employees a clear reference point for what the organization says it is changing

The implementation of Positive Space Initiative aligns with the RCMP’s Core values and serves as example of the organization’s commitment to ensuring a workplace culture that is healthy, inclusive and trusted by RCMP employees. The Chief Human Resources Office did not receive funding for this initiative as it is part of the responsibilities under its programs dedicated to advancing Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policies, strategies and programs.

There are clear linkages between Call for Justice 1.7, 1.10, and the UNDA Shared Priority 19 to establish an independent Indigenous rights monitoring, oversight, recourse or remedy mechanism. In 2025-2026, analysis at the federal level reviewed next steps and options need to consider these linkages to avoid duplicative efforts.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 1.10 by advancing Indigenous-led dialogue and design of an independent oversight mechanism to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan.

• Progress monitoring: Establishes accountability in the implementation of the National Action Plan
• Indigenous-led body: Reflects the voices of Indigenous partners by ensuring mechanism is independent and Indigenous-led

Funding is currently not available.