Moving Forward with Reconciliation

The federal government is committed to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, truth, cooperation, and partnership. The government continues to work with Indigenous peoples to improve housing infrastructure, to support education and child care, to take action on the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. There is more work to be done to address the inequalities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and the government will continue to work alongside Indigenous peoples to address historic injustices. 

Budget 2021 provided $18 billion in new investments to support Indigenous peoples and Indigenous communities, including a range of measures that are delivering important benefits in 2022-23:

• $6 billion over five years to support community infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities, including the launch of the $4.3 billion Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund;
• $1.04 billion from the $4.3 billion Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund to support water and wastewater systems on reserve;
• $1.4 billion over five years to maintain and transform essential health care services for First Nations and Inuit, including funding to support First Nations communities’ reliable access to clean water.
• $2.2 billion over five years to respond to the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls;
• $1 billion over five years to help keep families together and reduce the number of children in care;
• $2.5 billion over five years to build on the distinctions-based approach to Indigenous early learning and child care, including before- and after-school care on reserve;
• $1.2 billion over five years to invest in the future of First Nations children by strengthening elementary and secondary education; and,
• $2.7 billion over ten years in funding for core programs and services provided through ten-year grants to ensure funding keeps pace with the needs of First Nations.