Archived - Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada — 2017–18 Departmental Plan

Description

This Program provides support to First Nation governments, as well as Indigenous governance institutions and organizations. The intent of this support is to facilitate capacity development in the Indigenous public service, the elected leadership, and entities that administer aggregate services on behalf of or to First Nation governments and their communities. Transparent and accountable First Nation governments attract investment, create opportunities, and effectively support their citizens. Transparent and accountable institutions and organizations strengthen the fabric of Indigenous governments across Canada, assist Indigenous communities and their governments in attracting investment, and support Indigenous participation in the Canadian economy. Ultimately, good governance practices are essential for active Indigenous participation in Canadian society and the economy.

Planning highlights

With other key partners and in consultation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis, INAC will support the Department of Justice by participating in the review of all laws, policies, and operational practices to ensure the Crown is fully executing its consultation and accommodation obligations and that both the government and Indigenous peoples make the transition from status quo to renewed relationship. As a first step in this commitment, the Minister has directed the Department to work in partnership with First Nations to improve transparency and accountability based on engagement results.

To support the government's commitment to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the Department is providing Indigenous Community Development training. This aligns with the 57 Calls to Action item stressing the need to provide intercultural competency training to Government of Canada employees, including training on the history of Indigenous Peoples. It also aligns with aspects of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples. Participants are expected not just to improve their cultural competence but to also instill the principles of the Community Development and Capacity Building Framework which has been jointly adopted by INAC and Health Canada. The Framework is a strength-based, community centered approach to supporting development.

In support of the commitment to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples, the Department has worked with Indigenous partners to establish the Indigenous Community Development National Strategy. The Strategy, which supports community development through a holistic, strength-based, community-led process based on the principles of cultural competence and respect for Indigenous knowledge, seeks to share community development best practices to help build a nationally sustainable model. In 2017–2018, INAC will focus on developing a coordinated implementation plan with stakeholders.

The Department has also prioritized investments that support stronger Indigenous communities. The Indigenous Community Development National Strategy supports the development of Comprehensive Community Plans that help determine a community's priorities and make it more engaged and resilient. These plans will help build stronger Indigenous communities by identifying their unique vision and priorities, making them better equipped to establish and engage in effective relationships (e.g., nation-to-nation).

Everyone, including First Nation governments, wants increased transparency and accountability — which will be achieved by working in full partnership with First Nation leaders and organizations. The government is committed to reviewing laws, including the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which it will do in full consultation with First Nations. The government and INAC will engage in a way forward that supports transparency and is accountable to First Nation citizens.

INAC is continuing to administer statutory responsibilities with respect to band elections under the Indian Act and the First Nations Elections Act. By supporting and promoting community discussion and engagement, it will ensure First Nations are informed of the advantages of moving away from the Indian Act election system either by adopting the First Nations Elections Act or converting to a community election system by supporting them in their community discussions and engagement efforts. The Department is also providing advisory services in the development of First Nations by-laws; and exploring opportunities for partnerships to modernize First Nations governance through the development of legislative and policy options.

Building on successes of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, a positive evaluation in 2015–2016 and growing demands by First Nations to exercise jurisdictional powers and control over core government functions, INAC will continue to support First Nation governments and institutions. The Department will help to build their financial and governance capacity through continuing support for First Nation institutions (First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority), and enhancing the First Nations Fiscal Management Act regime to allow First Nations to build their capacity and access long-term financing through the issuance of bonds on capital markets.

Description

This Program seeks to strengthen collaboration between governments and Indigenous groups through mutual respect, trust, understanding, shared responsibilities, accountability, dialogue and negotiation concerning the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. Partnerships will be established helping to contribute to the strengthening of the social, economic and cultural well-being of Indigenous communities to support conditions for more active participation in Canadian society. The Program also addresses reconciliation objectives, constitutional and historic obligations and public policy by: negotiating agreements that achieve clarity with respect to law-making authority and the ownership, use and control of lands and resources; addressing specific claims; dealing with special claims; developing multi-partner processes in areas identified by Indigenous groups and the federal government; and supporting effective and meaningful consultation and accommodation with Indigenous groups and their representation in federal policy and program development.

Planning highlights

To achieve reconciliation, the federal government has committed to renew the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. In light of this desire to be more responsive to Indigenous community priorities and seek reconciliation through a nation-to-nation relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, INAC has begun exploratory talks with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups. These interest-based discussions focus on Indigenous priorities and aim to collaboratively find ways to move forward in a context of reconciliation and self-determination. INAC will also continue to engage in ongoing negotiations of comprehensive claims and self-government agreements with Indigenous groups and provincial and/or territorial governments.

Key activities include enhancing tools to address Constitution Act, 1982, section 35, Aboriginal and treaty rights, including the negotiation of land claims, self-government, special claims, and other processes aimed at addressing outstanding rights, incremental and non-treaty negotiations, and out-of-court settlements. INAC will continue to conduct research, analyze and develop policies and guidelines, provide advice, and seek stakeholder feedback on issues related to Canada's negotiation of Indigenous self-government and comprehensive claims. It will also address Canada's obligations to consult and accommodate in the event of overlapping claims, and make measurable progress towards the conclusion of education jurisdiction and other sectoral self-government agreements.

INAC will also continue to assist and provide guidance in relation to fulfilling the Crown's legal duty to consult (and, where appropriate, to accommodate) in cases where Crown conduct may adversely affect established or asserted Aboriginal or Treaty Rights. These efforts, such as expanding the number of consultation protocols or arrangements with Indigenous groups and provinces or territories and the review of laws, policies and operational practices, help to build relationships and renew partnerships. Ongoing efforts to develop tools, and to train federal officials on the duty to consult, also help ensure a renewed and informed public service. To help federal officials meet their consultation obligations, efforts will be made to improve available information on potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty Rights through ongoing improvements to the functionality and content of the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System.

Specific claims are claims, made against the federal government by a First Nation, relating to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of pre-1975 treaties. Resolving these historic grievances through negotiated settlement agreements, rather than litigation helps promote mutual respect, trust and understanding. Departmental officials are currently in discussions with the Assembly of First Nations, First Nations, and other interested parties to improve the specific claims process. Overseen by a Joint Technical Working Group, discussions in coming months will focus on funding, the use of mediation in negotiation processes, the process for addressing claims valued at more than $150 million, and public reporting.

Description

This Program aims to create and maintain ongoing partnerships to support fulfilment of Canada's legal obligations pursuant to both pre and post-1975 treaties, while considering ongoing rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. This Program supports Indigenous communities in articulating their interests, participating in economic activities, and managing and developing land and resources, where applicable. It also helps to demonstrate the importance of treaties and related partnerships between the Crown and Indigenous peoples. This is achieved by honouring Canada's obligations as set out in final settlement agreements and treaties, and by improving collaboration between Canada and Indigenous peoples, and between Canada and pre and post-1975 Treaty groups. Creating and maintaining relationships and partnerships that honour pre and post-1975 treaties contributes to strengthened, healthy, self-reliant and sustainable Indigenous communities while promoting delivery of programs and services vital to the health and advancement of Indigenous peoples.

Planning highlights

By managing and implementing agreements and treaties and in the spirit of reconciliation, INAC continues to support good governance and Indigenous rights and interests by working on a government-to-government basis with Indigenous partners.

To make progress on mutual goals, especially those linked to economic and social growth, as well as development, the Department will continue to play a lead role in representing the federal government on implementation committees, which meet several times a year to identify and address challenges and note successes and achievements in meeting the legal obligations of agreements. To fulfill its obligations in this regard, Canada must have the collaboration of all signatories. In the past year, agreements were reached with the Naskapi on amendments to the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act. The Sliammon Final Agreement and the Déline Self-Government Agreement came into effect in April and September 2016, respectively.

INAC will continue the negotiation, coordination and administration of financial arrangements and implementation plans with respect to comprehensive land-claim agreements and self-government agreements by administering Fiscal Financing Agreements and transferring expenditures to Indigenous peoples.

To improve the implementation of modern treaties, a Whole-of-Government approach was approved in 2015. This approach consists largely of developing tools to support government departments or agencies meet Canada's legal obligations. A key part of the approach was the establishment of a Deputy Ministers' Oversight Committee that meets regularly to provide senior-level oversight. Indigenous partners will also be invited to take part and share their experiences.

INAC will continue to work with and support other departments and agencies' effort to implement comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements by providing training for federal officials. This training on modern treaties will continue to be offered in collaboration with treaty partners. Of particular note, since the Department developed it with the help of Indigenous partners, the Assessment of Modern Treaty Implications — Guide for Federal Officials was approved in October 2016.

Improving monitoring and governance by continuing to develop the Modern Treaty Management Environment (formerly known as the Treaty Obligation Monitoring System) remains a priority for the Department. A working group of Indigenous partners and federal officials from other departments has been formed to develop a Modern Treaty Implementation performance measurement framework to develop monitoring and tracking approaches.

INAC will continue to support and monitor annual work plans and reports through ongoing meetings between Canada and Treaty Commissions or Treaty Discussion Tables. These plans concern information-gathering and research on the nature of treaties, treaty issues, and treaty implementation. It is anticipated that the 2017–2018 work plans will include public education, to improve understanding and awareness of treaties; the development of partnerships between Treaty First Nations and private industry, to create economic opportunities; reconciliation activities for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action; commemoration support; and engagement with Treaty First Nations on treaty issues. These ongoing activities help create a more unified Canada with a better understanding of Indigenous issues and the fact that Canada cannot fully prosper unless all Canadians succeed.

Description

This Program addresses payments related to the resolution of litigation and/or out-of-court settlements for any claim that cannot be designated to any other existing INAC program. Key activities could include: the assessment of the merits of the claim; the completion of a settlement agreement where appropriate; payment of any monetary compensation and funding and implementation of related activities pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement and/or direction by a Tribunal or court.

Planning highlights

The Government of Canada is committed to the resolution of litigation in support of reconciliation. As such, INAC will work to achieve a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.

INAC will continue working with the Department of Justice on this new mandate, emphasizing settlement and negotiation over litigation. It will also support the Department of Justice in its review of litigation strategies. For example, this work will potentially include Canada taking early decisions to end appeals or positions that are not consistent with Canada's commitments, the Charter or the Government's values.

Where appropriate, the Department will engage Indigenous groups, other parties and stakeholders in discussions to clarify interests and concerns, as well as avenues and options for potential resolution of litigation. Where possible, INAC will secure settlement mandates and sources of funds to actively seek settlement options and resolve litigation.

The Department will work jointly with all implicated federal departments to resolve multi-departmental litigation. It will also track, monitor, and report on litigation settlement and resolution activities.

Description

This Program's overarching goal is to work in partnership with First Nations, provincial and territorial governments and other education stakeholders, to provide eligible First Nation and Inuit students with support in order to achieve educational outcomes that are comparable to those of other Canadians. The Education Program provides funding for culturally-appropriate elementary and secondary education for eligible First Nation students ordinarily resident on reserve, and financially supports post-secondary education for eligible First Nation and Inuit students.

Planning highlights

In the next year, the Education Program will continue to deliver significant new investments ($2.6 billion over five years) the Government of Canada has made for First Nations education while engaging with First Nations, other Indigenous organizations, provincial and territorial governments, and other stakeholders to achieve meaningful long-term gains in Indigenous education outcomes.

These investments help First Nations address immediate needs and provide the building blocks for on-reserve First Nations primary and secondary education. They make it possible for First Nations to attract and retain First Nations teachers, provide more support for students, such as transportation, guidance counselling, and foster literacy and numeracy as foundations for success.

The Program is also supporting improved direct and indirect service delivery so First Nation students with high-cost special education needs can access services in a timely and culturally appropriate manner. It helps increase the number of early intervention strategies through individual education plans, improve completion rates for professional student assessments to better serve their unique needs, and support capacity-building to ensure there are enough educational staff and professionals to meet the needs of the student population.

New investments and the Government of Canada's commitment to a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship are changing the discussion around First Nations-led education. First Nations education leaders are coming together to discuss student needs and what can be done to accelerate progress on the ground. This includes expanded forward-looking school success planning based on First Nations' own data and performance measurement strategies to show communities what is working and why.

As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples, the Government of Canada has been taking steps to establish a new partnership on First Nations education.

In 2016–2017, the Government of Canada began working jointly with First Nations on an engagement process to determine the way forward for supporting First Nations control of First Nation education. The process, which is to continue in 2017–2018, will include technical discussions with regional First Nations representatives through a series of joint task teams. It will also include a series of Canada-wide leadership dialogue events between First Nations leadership and senior Government of Canada officials. The technical task teams will work with regional First Nations representatives to identify and explore ways to improve the quality of First Nations education, including options for mutual accountability structures and a new fiscal relationship for First Nations education.

The Government of Canada will continue to support First Nations that wish to develop and implement transformative education models (e.g., by establishing First Nations education authorities, tripartite partnership agreements, self-government agreements). In 2016–2017, the Program worked with the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre to create a First Nations-controlled, school board-type system — the first of its kind in Canada — which will begin operating in September 2017. Similar discussions will take place in other jurisdictions in 2017–2018. The Program will also continue working with the First Nations Education Steering Committee and the Government of British Columbia to renew the Tripartite Education Framework Agreement, and will engage at partnership tables with First Nations and provincial governments to improve educational outcomes by sharing and building on expertise.

Since the field of education is always evolving, the Program will launch a programming stream within the New Paths for Education program to give First Nations educators access to the best research and evidence-based practices and ensure optimal student outcomes. The new stream will support research and knowledge-transfer activities that foster evidence-based, culturally relevant policy-making for First Nations students and ensure students benefit from the best possible learning approaches, curricula and programming.

The Program will continue to foster early childhood development and school readiness for on-reserve First Nations children and youth by supporting full-day kindergarten programs and developing an Early Learning and Child Care Framework in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Under the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy, the Program will continue to deliver two key programs this year — the First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program, and the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program — to help First Nations and Inuit youth gain hands-on work experience through co-operative and mentored work placements.

The Program continues to invest in post-secondary education and is working with the Department of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour on priority initiatives, such as the renewal of the Youth Employment Strategy, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, and the Canada Student Loans Program. The renewal of the Youth Employment Strategy and engagement of post-secondary education are especially important to improve programs and ensure young people have the tools and opportunities they need to become more employable and achieve their goals.

Together these key programs, investments, engagements and partnerships will help contribute to the Government of Canada's commitment to close socio-economic gaps and make real progress in ensuring access to and improving the quality of education for First Nations in Canada.

Description

This Program provides funding to four social sub-programs: Income Assistance, Assisted Living, First Nations Child and Family Services, and Family Violence Prevention. Together, these sub-programs assist First Nation individuals and communities in becoming more self-sufficient, protect individuals and families at risk of violence, provide prevention supports that allow individuals and families to better care for their children, and support greater participation in the labour market. The Program assists First Nation men, women and children to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency in First Nation communities across Canada by providing funding for First Nations, First Nation organizations, provinces and others that provide individual and family services to on-reserve residents (and Yukon First Nation residents). These services help First Nation communities meet basic and special needs, support employability and participation in the workforce, and support the safety of individuals and families. Through these four social sub-programs, First Nations are better able to advance their own development, leverage opportunities and actively contribute to the broader Canadian economy and society.

Planning highlights

Through the Social Development Program, INAC will continue to support individual, family and community well-being through, among other things, funding to help First Nations operate family violence shelters and conduct violence prevention activities. It will also coordinate violence prevention efforts with other government departments and organizations, improve prevention services for children and families and help front-line service providers meet their needs more effectively, continue working toward full-scale reform of the on-reserve child welfare program by engaging with partners across the country, and continue supporting income assistance and assisted living programs to help low-income residents on reserve become more self-reliant and improve their quality of life.

In conjunction with Health Canada, INAC is implementing a multi-dimensional approach to support the expanded application of Jordan's Principle. These child first initiatives include establishing an Enhanced Service Coordination model of care to help First Nation children and their families navigate and access federal and provincial programs and services, as well as providing a funding source to facilitate this access. These initiatives include a proactive focus on the First Nations children most likely to experience a jurisdictional dispute or a gap in services, a key component of Jordan's Principle and First Nations children who live on reserve (or are ordinarily resident on reserve) who have a disability or a critical, short-term health or social need.

Successful partnerships and engagement with Indigenous peoples are vital to improve socio-economic outcomes and close the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The closing of these gaps requires multiple partners and must be done in concert with other actions that take Indigenous language, culture, spirituality, and health and well-being into account. No substantive change is possible without improved relationships with Indigenous peoples. To collect data and define common indicators for measuring changes in community well-being over time, partnerships with First Nations and others are essential.

When family safety, security, and basic needs are addressed, people are better able to address their other needs — including the need to take part in community and economic life. Families and children should be able to have safe, healthy relationships grounded in strong communities.

Description

This Program contributes to ensuring federal stewardship of the legislative and administrative responsibilities of the federal government pertaining to registration, membership, status cards and estates. Results are achieved through direct client services and partnerships with First Nations to determine eligibility for registration under the Indian Act, issuing proof of registration documents such as the Secure Certificate of Indian Status, and administering estates under the Indian Act. Through client-centric service delivery, the sound administration of individual affairs contributes to the well-being of First Nation individuals, families and communities.

Planning highlights

INAC will continue to transform the delivery of its legislative and administrative responsibilities related to registration and the Secure Certificate of Indian Status to ensure they are more integrated, client-focused, and internally efficient. The Department will continue its multi-year initiative to develop a single integrated case management system that makes client service more efficient by reducing duplication and provides access to online services once it is fully integrated in 2020. This will also support the implementation of the Secure Certificate of Indian Status — providing First Nation individuals with a more secure card that is less vulnerable to fraud and identity theft and ensures easier access to programs, services and benefits for which they are eligible.

In 2017 the Department expects the Indian Act to be amended through Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Indian Act (elimination of sex-based inequities in registration), as ordered by the Court, to remove known sex-based inequities in Indian registration. Once amended, several thousand people are then likely to submit an application for registration for Indian Status over the next few years. The Department will develop contingency measures, including recruiting additional personnel and providing training to staff, to address the large increase in the volume of applications and questions from clients. Following the passage of the Bill, the Department will launch a collaborative process with First Nations and other Indigenous groups to examine broader issues relating to Indian registration and band membership towards future reform.

INAC has exclusive jurisdiction to manage the estates of dependent adults on reserves and Crown lands, while the province has jurisdiction over their personal care. To ensure an increased level of service to clients, INAC will review the dependent adult program and work to strengthen ties with provincial counterparts. It will also explore opportunities to partner with Indigenous organizations and other stakeholders on estate issues, such as increasing awareness and capacity to support communities or family members who wish to administer estates.

In 2016, the Minister appointed a Ministerial Special Representative to engage with First Nations to explore solutions to Canada-U.S. border crossing challenges faced by First Nation communities across Canada. In December 2017, the Ministerial Special Representative is expected to issue a report that will inform future policy in this area.

Description

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) — a multi-party negotiated settlement monitored by the courts — is a commitment to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools. The IRSSA supports the Government of Canada's goal of reconciliation with former students, their families and communities, and other Canadians. The Independent Assessment Process (IAP) — the one remaining component of the IRSSA is a non-adversarial, out-of-court process for claims of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and other wrongful acts causing serious psychological consequences to the claimant. The IAP aims to bring a fair and lasting resolution to harm caused by residential schools through a claimant-centred and neutral process. Updates on the IAP are posted quarterly on the Department's website.

Planning highlights

The Government of Canada has primary responsibility to ensure the successful implementation of the Settlement Agreement through the Residential Schools Resolution Program. Two distinct organizations support the implementation of the Agreement: INAC, which is responsible to implement the Settlement Agreement and is the defendant in the Independent Assessment Process, and the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat (Adjudication Secretariat), an independent and arm's-length organization that receives administrative support from INAC. Each has an important role to play in meeting Canada's legal obligations under the Settlement Agreement by carrying out key activities under Program 2.4.

Through the Residential Schools Resolution Program, INAC will continue to help implement the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement by continuing to participate as a defendant in the remaining Independent Assessment Process claims in a timely manner, including attending hearings, processing payments within the 20-day service standard, and providing corporate and administrative services to support the Adjudication Secretariat's mandate to deliver the Independent Assessment Process. INAC will continue working with Health Canada to ensure mental health and emotional support services, including a crisis line, will continue to be made available to approximately 80,000 eligible former students and their families for the duration of the Settlement Agreement. These services help to mitigate health risks, such as substance abuse, depression, suicide, and family violence arising from the rates of unresolved trauma experienced by this population and the heightened stress that may be experienced by those reliving the past through Settlement Agreement events and processes. Further information on these services is available in the horizontal initiative (ARCHIVED).

The Adjudication Secretariat will continue to administer the IAP and efficiently and effectively resolve remaining residential school abuse claims; work with IAP parties and stakeholders; and promote healing and reconciliation among former students, families and communities through the Group Independent Assessment Process contribution program and by fostering positive relations with organizations.

A significant portion of remaining pre-hearing claims in the Independent Assessment Process have specific issues that prevent them from moving to resolution. These include claims with outstanding matters of legal representation, claims for deceased or lost claimants, student-on-student claims, and claims with specific complexities to resolve. Through a court decision^{Footnote 2} in late 2016, an estimated 215 more former students of Kivalliq Hall became eligible to make an IAP claim. Several matters before the courts or under review, which could add more schools and/or claims to the process or require that claims be held or reopened, pose a significant risk of adding to or delaying resolution of outstanding claims. If more claims are added or remaining claims are not resolved in a timely way, the Independent Assessment Process could overshoot its planned completion date. To mitigate this risk, the Adjudication Secretariat has made targeted efforts to re-establish contact with lost claimants and ensure claims get a hearing.

There is a risk that the close-out of Settlement Agreement activities could adversely affect INAC's relations with Indigenous organizations and undermine achievements made under the Agreement. To mitigate this risk, Department officials have begun to explore options for a last assessment of Canada's obligations under the Settlement Agreement before its conclusion.

The Adjudication Secretariat will manage the gradual conclusion of its operations and mandate through a comprehensive Completion Action Plan, which incorporates detailed communication and stakeholder engagement activities and administrative plans to ensure an accountable and transparent wind-down of activities. The Secretariat is also preparing an Administrative final report, as well as an IAP Final Report reviewing the degree to which IAP objectives are met.

The Government of Canada and the Adjudication Secretariat are committed to protect the integrity of the Settlement Agreement in a manner that promotes reconciliation. The Department, and the Secretariat in support of the Chief Adjudicator, are each involved in ongoing litigation regarding the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement's implementation.

As there is a risk that Canada's role in these cases could be seen as an attempt to limit compensation to former students, Canada takes principled positions to uphold the terms of the Settlement Agreement, protect claimants' rights, and provide all the compensation to which survivors are entitled. The Adjudication Secretariat, under the Chief Adjudicator, is independent of the Government of Canada in such matters. It may take different positions before the Court while sharing Canada's commitment to uphold the integrity and principles of the Agreement and the rights of claimants. To address risks relating to legal action, the Secretariat maintains a high level of transparency by posting court documents and decisions, public information and news releases on the IAP website and devoting a section of the site to the Records Disposition case. The Secretariat devotes significant resources to address increasing court activity and legal challenges, implement court direction, strengthening information management processes, and providing information, sound policy advice and data analysis to the Chief Adjudicator.

Description

This Program supports and strengthens the long-term viability of Indigenous entrepreneurial business, greater participation in the economy, and improved economic prosperity for Indigenous peoples. This Program — guided by the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development — helps create and grow viable Indigenous businesses through increasing access to capital, capacity, networks, business development services and business opportunities.

Planning highlights

The Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program improves employment and economic outcomes for Indigenous peoples and reduces socio-economic gaps by supporting the creation and expansion of viable Indigenous businesses. This is achieved by supporting projects that enable Indigenous businesses, institutions and organizations develop strategies to fully participate in economic opportunities, including improved access to capital delivered by the Aboriginal Financial Institutions network and business development opportunities provided by the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Businesses.

To improve access to capital for First Nations, Métis, Non-Status Indians, and Inuit individuals and communities, INAC supports Aboriginal Financial Institutions — a nation-wide network of diverse Indigenous financial and business development organizations that provide developmental lending and other related financial services in a manner that reflects business and community needs. Aboriginal Financial Institutions use innovative credit risk assessment approaches that offer flexibility and are tailored to the specific challenges of Indigenous communities, such as remoteness, limited credit history, restrictions on the use of collateral on-reserve.

INAC will renew a comprehensive funding agreement with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, which manages the Program's capital access initiatives. It will also help Aboriginal Financial Institutions and the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association deliver the full set of initiatives, including the Aboriginal Developmental Loan Allocation, the Aboriginal Business Financing Program, the Enhanced Access Loan Fund, the Interest Rate Buy-Down, and the Aboriginal Capacity Development Program. The Department will continue to implement the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy announced in Budget 2016, including the monitoring of recapitalization agreements with four Métis Capital Corporations and laying the groundwork for the creation of a new Métis Capital Corporation in British Columbia.

For the agreement's renewal, INAC will engage with Aboriginal Financial Institutions and other key stakeholders to determine how to define and measure success. It will also design financial instruments and policies that help sustain the network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions and foster diversification of capital sources and business lines. The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association will continue to implement a new information management system to make performance reporting more efficient and consistent in a manner consistent with the right of Indigenous peoples to govern their own data.

Text description of the Factors for Economic Prosperity

This image depicts a pyramid showing the factors for economic prosperity. Fostering economic Development through entrepreneurship is the base followed by:

• Access to Capital and Business Opportunities;
• Creation and Expansion of viable Indigenous Businesses; and
• Employment and Income

These factors lead to improved socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous people.

To support the Government of Canada's procurement modernization agenda, Indigenous Entrepreneurship is playing a lead role by evaluating current procurement policies, guidelines and mechanisms and engaging with the public to find opportunities for Indigenous people, businesses, and communities to benefit from federal programs, expenditures and investments.

INAC supports Indigenous businesses access federal procurement opportunities by, among other things: providing outreach and training for federal procurement officers, industry, and Indigenous businesses; negotiating with federal departments; and exploring ways to improve Indigenous procurement through better data collection and reporting.

In 2017–2018, INAC will initiate the new Nunavut Land Claims Agreement procurement directive in accordance with the roles and responsibilities set out in the Directive. The Department will also continue its support for national, regional, and international economic development strategies with key stakeholders, such as: Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and Indigenous Works.

Description

This Program promotes conditions that will help improve community economic development and prosperity for Indigenous peoples. Guided by the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development — and its vision of "Enhancing the Value of Indigenous Assets" — this Program promotes greater self-reliance and participation in the mainstream economy and community well-being. This is achieved through supports to institutions and First Nations for land and environmental management and economic development.

Planning highlights

By working to improve collaboration with other federal departments and regional development agencies to promote strategic partnerships, help First Nation communities pursue economic development, improve solid waste management on reserve, and promote Indigenous business and employment opportunities, the Department helps the Government of Canada fulfill its mandate to promote economic development and create jobs for Indigenous peoples.

By supporting capacity-building efforts to improve the delivery of economic development services, the Land and Economic Development Services Program and the Community Opportunity Readiness Program are increasing the number of communities that take part in and benefit from economic development opportunities in their regions. The Department will build on successful investments from 2016–2017 by supporting innovative projects that leverage private sector investment and lead to higher community revenues and employment. Recent evaluations demonstrated the importance of the flexibility of these programs to support Indigenous communities' economic development, from projects such as feasibility studies to large-scale commercial infrastructure.

The successful Community Economic Development Initiative with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers has been extended for five more years. The Initiative supports strategic joint economic development planning between municipalities and neighboring First Nation communities, leading to stronger ties and mutually beneficial economic and community development. The resulting collaborative relationships between First Nations and municipalities help promote reconciliation.

INAC is still leading an innovative, single-window participant funding mechanism to streamline the application process for Indigenous communities and organizations that want to take part in discussions on the four major environmental reviews. The Department will also continue providing expert advice and support for the regulatory review of major resource projects by Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the National Energy Board, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

INAC is also taking part in the Major Project Management Office Initiative to support the efforts of Indigenous and Northern peoples to develop healthy and self-sufficient communities and play a bigger role in achieving Canada's broad economic and social development objectives. The Department supports the government's commitment to restore public confidence in Canada's environmental assessment processes for natural resource projects. INAC is mandated to foster and promote full partnership and consultation, meaningful engagement, and participatory capacity of Indigenous people to take part in the review and monitoring of major resource development projects.

The government's fulfilment of additions to First Nation reserves is a commitment to address reconciliation, while effective land and environmental management on reserves is a critical driver of sustainable economic and community growth. The Department will continue to fulfill Canada's legal obligations established by land claims and Treaty Land Entitlement Agreements, and support community and economic development by increasing the reserve land base through additions to reserve.

An expanding land base will present a host of economic opportunities that can improve on-reserve living conditions. To enjoy the same sustainable growth opportunities as other Canadians, First Nations must have access to modern, transparent and effective land and environmental management tools, processes and resources. This can be achieved by expanding the land base through additions to reserve, partnering with First Nations to modernize land management policies and procedures, and supporting First Nations to develop land use plans.

Throughout the modern world, the key elements of sustainable land management include the creation and registration of land interests, land use planning, and related surveys to develop a comprehensive framework that supports sustainable community growth. To access the same opportunities as other Canadians, First Nations need progressive, transparent and effective land management tools, processes and resources. To this end, the Department will continue working with First Nations and Indigenous organizations to modernize land management policies and foster community and economic development. It will also ensure procedures are user friendly and accessible. It will use targeted investment to improve First Nation capacity to develop community-led land use plans and promote on-reserve survey activities. Lastly, it will make ongoing improvements to the Indian Land Registry system to improve accuracy and clarity of title.

INAC also works with First Nations to protect the environment through a number of programs. The Contaminated Sites On-Reserve Program helps protect the environment by assessing and remediating contaminated sites on reserve land. The Program receives financial support from the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, Budget 2016, and INAC. The Contaminated Sites On-Reserve Program improves health, safety and environmental integrity on reserve, reduces the Crown's environmental liability, and makes land available for community or economic development. To minimize adverse effects on reserve land, INAC also conducts environmental reviews of infrastructure and other projects.

To improve First Nation land and environmental management capacity, INAC supports the Reserve Land and Environmental Management Program. The Program offers land management training and gives First Nations greater responsibility for reserve lands, positioning them to become more self-reliant and opt into the First Nations Land Management Regime. INAC will continue working with the Lands Advisory Board to support First Nations control and management of their lands and resources by continuing to expand the regime and welcoming 15 new entrants in 2017–2018. It will also keep engaging with the Lands Advisory Board to renew the joint memorandum of understanding on operational funding. The First Nations Land Management Regime is an important part of federal reconciliation efforts that recognizes the right of First Nations to govern themselves and their lands in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. First Nation entrants are in a better position to benefit from greater economic opportunities — which leads to healthier, more self-sufficient communities and benefits all Canadians.

The First Nations Waste Management Initiative will provide support to First Nation communities to access modern and environmentally sustainable solid waste management systems comparable to those available off reserve; reduce environmental, human health and safety risks; and support sustainable economic development. It will also support waste reduction and diversion through education; capacity-building; and the creation of hazardous waste diversion, recycling and composting programs. The Initiative will promote sustainable, common-sense solutions that reflect the unique needs of each community, and encourage the establishment of Municipal Type Service Agreements between First Nations and third-party partners to move waste into regulated solid waste management facilities.

Indian Oil and Gas Canada will continue to engage with First Nations to manage oil and gas resources from reserve lands and leverage economic opportunities for First Nations. While low product prices continue to impact total revenues, oil and gas activities on reserve lands remain an important revenue source for First Nations.

Description

This Program supports Indigenous community preparedness activities to engage with partners in economic opportunities, including the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) — an innovative, horizontal program intended to align federal efforts to support Indigenous participation in complex economic opportunities, particularly large regional opportunities and major resource developments. The Strategic Partnership Initiative provides a mechanism for federal partners to collectively identify emerging opportunities, target investment decisions and streamline program application and approval processes to support Indigenous communities at the early stages of large and complex economic opportunities. In doing so, closer partnerships with non-federal partners, including provincial and territorial governments, the private sector and Indigenous communities can be built. By addressing gaps in programming, this ensures that Indigenous peoples can participate in and benefit from priority regional opportunities and major resource developments.

Planning highlights

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative coordinates federal partners, efforts and investments to improve Indigenous community readiness and support Indigenous participation in complex economic opportunities.

Under the Program's collaborative approach, 16 federal partners collectively prioritize and sequence investments, assess and approve projects, leverage non-federal funding sources, monitor progress, and report on outcomes. Community and industry partners also work together to develop tools and practices that improve outcomes.

The completion of several multi-year investments at the end of fiscal year 2016–2017 will be an opportunity to consider new investments in emerging areas such as the maritime economy, food security, and Indigenous tourism. Opportunities will also be sought to make better use of the Program's single-window funding approach to simplify application and reporting for program recipients.

Description

This Program provides funding and advisory assistance to First Nation communities for the construction, acquisition, operation and maintenance of community infrastructure assets on reserves. These assets include drinking water systems, wastewater systems and community buildings. The Program also includes support for emergency management assistance, climate change adaptation projects and funding and advisory support for water and wastewater systems, education facilities, housing and other community infrastructure such as roads and bridges, electrification, and community buildings (these four sub-programs are collectively known as the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program). Ultimately, this Program enables First Nations to participate more fully in the Canadian economy by establishing infrastructure that meets established standards, and the needs of First Nation communities.

Planning highlights

The Government of Canada believes that investing in infrastructure will improve the quality of life in Indigenous communities. To this end it will continue to invest in on-reserve green infrastructure and connectivity, help protect the environment, and promote community health and safety. It will also foster and build prosperous communities by ensuring that basic infrastructure needs are met and existing infrastructure can be repaired and improved.

In 2017–2018, INAC will continue working with First Nation communities to ensure the Capital Facilities and Maintenance program makes strategic investments to increase assets and improve existing infrastructure while addressing health and safety needs. To this end it will work with First Nations to bring about transformational change, provide safe, clean and reliable drinking water, and ensure wastewater in First Nation communities is sustainably managed. To end long-term drinking water advisories on INAC-funded systems, the Department will improve capacity-building and operator training through its Circuit Rider Training Program and work with reserve communities to enhance risk-based oversight of operation and maintenance funding for water and wastewater infrastructure.

INAC will continue to invest strategically in water and wastewater systems to address health and safety needs, make sure facilities are well operated and maintained, and ensure community services meet applicable regulations and guidelines. The Department will also support annual performance inspections to see that water and wastewater assets are well operated and maintained. These approaches will help achieve the 2017–2018 priority goal, shared by INAC and First Nations, to reduce the number of drinking water advisories and make progress toward ending long-term advisories for INAC-funded water systems within five years.

The Government of Canada recognizes that the academic achievement of First Nation children, as well as their health and safety, depends on the condition of their learning environment. For this reason, INAC is working with First Nations to improve and enhance school infrastructure through the Education Infrastructure Fund.

Text description of the Percentage of on-reserve INAC-funded First Nation drinking water systems with treated water that meets prescribed standards

This image depicts a bar graph of the percentage of on-reserve INAC-funded First Nation drinking water systems with treated water that meets prescribed standards:

• 74% for 2013–2014
• 74% for 2014–2015
• 92% for 2015–2016

The Department will continue investing in social infrastructure as a key pillar of the Government of Canada's strategy. This will foster inclusive growth through strategic investment and by addressing immediate on-reserve housing needs through funding for new construction, renovation, and lot servicing. Under the National Housing Strategy, INAC will continue working with First Nation communities and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to develop an effective long-term approach to support the construction and maintenance of on-reserve housing.

INAC will continue working with the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development to leverage funding initiatives to improve broadband connectivity in First Nation communities (e.g., British Columbia's Pathways to Technology Initiative). The Department will also continue to implement the Level of Service Standards for Fire Protection using a three-tiered continuum of services model with an emphasis on prevention (experts have noted that prevention is essential to fire safety). Lastly, investment in new cultural and recreation infrastructure will help ensure First Nation communities have venues for important community and recreational activities.

INAC recognizes that the cumulative impact of increased investment may overwhelm the project management capacity of First Nations and place greater demands on the construction and infrastructure sectors. The Department has specialized staff to see to the program's long-term planning, oversight and delivery, which it will continue to improve through the use of best practices, pilot projects, and other innovative initiatives to support strategic investment and improve infrastructure outcomes for First Nation communities.

INAC will continue to support and develop new approaches for the management, financing and delivery of INAC-funded infrastructure on-reserve by engaging First Nation communities in opportunities for community partnerships and innovative approaches to service delivery approaches. Among other things, these include First Nation-led institutions to address community needs and ensure service levels are comparable to those of off-reserve infrastructure assets. The Department will support the inspection of infrastructure assets every three years to protect the health and safety of communities, ensure INAC-funded on-reserve infrastructure is maintained to prescribed standards, and keep assets in operation for their projected life cycle. Operation and maintenance funding, capacity development and training, and disaster mitigation measures also support First Nations in ensuring that their on-reserve infrastructure stays operational for its full life cycle.

In response to the June 2015 Evaluation of Education Facilities and Other Community Infrastructure, INAC will expand the Circuit Rider Training Program to include not just water and wastewater systems but other vital infrastructure assets. In 2017–2018, the Department will launch a pilot project — a program similar to Circuit Rider that will train First Nation operators to operate and maintain education facilities.

To safeguard health and well-being, the Emergency Management Assistance Program supports First Nations in the four pillars of emergency management — mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. In 2017–2018, INAC will identify, support, and, where possible, scale innovative First Nation-led preparedness and non-structural mitigation initiatives that promote capacity-building, community-based planning, training, and exercises.

The Department will continue to negotiate emergency management service agreements with provinces, territories, and First Nation organizations, and emergency management organizations to ensure all First Nations communities have access to emergency services. First Nations representative organizations will be engaged in the negotiation process of service agreements that foster nation-to-nation relationships. To ensure funding eligibility and application rules are consistent and funding processes are clearer, INAC will continue to develop funding guidelines and policies for the Emergency Management Assistance Program. It will also continue improving the governance, design, implementation and financial management of its programs as identified in the Emergency Management Assistance Program's 2016 internal audit.

In 2017–2018, the First Nation Adapt program will provide funding support to First Nation communities on-reserve to assess climate change impacts through risk and adaptation assessment projects. Findings from these projects will provide communities with the information, expertise and tools needed to support adaptation action and respond to the effects of climate change on infrastructure and emergency management procedures. The program will also focus on addressing repetitive and severe climate impacts related to flooding, forest fires and winter road failure.

Description

This Program supports participation of urban Indigenous individuals and communities in the economy. It is comprised of two streams: Community Capacity Support and Urban Partnerships. The Community Capacity Support stream provides funding to urban Indigenous community organizations to deliver programs and services that are designed to remove barriers and encourage innovative partnerships. The Urban Partnerships stream is comprised of a planning component and an implementation component. The planning component supports communities with multi-stakeholder engagement (private sector, municipalities, Indigenous groups) in the design and development of regional strategic plans and the identification of community priorities. These plans are then shared with the National Association of Friendship Centres which, in turn, implements the priorities through community projects.

Planning highlights

The Program funded initiatives and services that helped boost economic participation by urban Indigenous people across Canada. Based on a Budget 2016 commitment, feedback and analysis from last year's national engagement process, and other considerations, it was determined that the current program was not meeting the needs of recipients. For this reason, it will end on March 31, 2017.

Given that the Program is sunsetting, there are no more related activities to report. However, since closing the socio-economic gap between urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians remains a key priority for INAC and the Government of Canada, the Department is developing new initiatives that it expects to implement in 2017–2018.

Planned results

The suite of expected result and indicators will no longer be valid for 2017–2018, but program is currently engaging on a way forward.

Description

This Program strengthens the North's communities and people by: devolving responsibilities for lands and natural resources to territorial governments; fostering effective intergovernmental relations with territorial and Inuit governments; collaborating with Inuit organizations and providing support to Territorial Commissioners; subsidizing the costs of nutritious perishable foods in isolated northern communities; providing grants for hospital and physician services in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories; working with northern communities, governments, and organizations to address the risks and challenges posed by climate change and reduce reliance on diesel; and, advancing Canadian and northern interests through circumpolar forums such as the international Arctic Council. Canadians and Northerners will benefit from territorial governments ultimately having more control over their own affairs.

Planning highlights

In 2017–2018, the Department will work with the Chief Federal Negotiator, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated towards an Agreement-in-Principle for the devolution of land and resource management responsibilities in Nunavut. This work will be guided by the 2008 Lands and Resources Devolution Negotiation Protocol, and a wide range of lessons learned from previous devolution processes in Northwest Territories and Yukon, such as the need to include Indigenous partners early in negotiations and for incremental funding to address resource management infrastructure gaps. The Nunavut devolution process seeks to improve Inuit-Crown relations by giving the territory greater control over its political and economic affairs.

To support the Government of Canada's ongoing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, INAC will continue to work in collaboration with Inuit partners on areas of common purpose, through an Inuit-Crown relationship, including activities related to Nanilavut and the Qikiqtani Truth Commission Report, policy and program work on Inuit Housing and analyses of the Inuit art economy (seal product markets, economic impacts).

The Department will continue to foster, build and maintain effective intergovernmental relationships with territorial governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and other domestic and international partners to facilitate their continued engagement in the North, and circumpolar relations.

In 2017–2018, through intergovernmental fora, such as the Nunavut Senior Officials Working Group and the Northern Development Ministers Forum, INAC will work with Northern stakeholders on issues that pertain to them.

Building on its Northern expertise and leadership, INAC will continue to serve as the primary conduit for Indigenous and territorial engagement in circumpolar forums (including the Arctic Council), lead Canada's engagement to advance initiatives for the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group workplan; and foster bilateral circumpolar relationships that support Canadian interests.

The important role that INAC plays in promoting circumpolar co-operation was a key finding in the 2016 Evaluation of the Political Development and Intergovernmental Relations program: "INAC's participation on the Arctic Council through the Circumpolar Affairs Directorate is critical to Canada's stated objectives in the Arctic. Canada's support for Indigenous issues in the Council is also a key part of the Department's mandate to help build healthy, safe, self-sufficient, and prosperous Northern communities."

In 2017–2018, INAC will help alleviate the high cost of food in the North by making perishable nutritious food more accessible and affordable to residents of isolated Northern communities through the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) food subsidy. The Department has revised its community eligibility criteria, expanding the NNC program to all Northern communities that lack year-round rail, road or marine access. A total of 121 communities are now eligible for receipt of the full range of program benefits.

Nutrition North Canada has continued to help with the provision of healthy food in Canada's isolated northern communities. In addition to providing the food subsidy, the Program conducted community public engagement meetings, stakeholder interviews, surveys and written submissions, all of them completed on December 9, 2016. The summaries for the public engagement sessions are available on the Nutrition North Canada website. A report on "What We Heard" will be published on the program website. Equipped with this feedback, the Department will work with NNC partners in 2017–2018 to develop policy options, update programs, and to develop strategies to support long-term program sustainability.

Following the April 2016 implementation of the point-of-sale receipt system for major Northern retailers, INAC will develop and implement visual media to raise awareness of the program and how it works. Recipient compliance reviews, shipping reports, and Revised Northern Food Basket price reports will continue to be available on the program website.

In 2017–2018, the Climate Change Preparedness in the North program will work with territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and communities, and other federal departments to identify Northern adaptation priorities by developing the Northern Adaptation Strategy. These priorities will help coordinate efforts and investments to enhance climate resilience in the North. Funding will be provided to territorial governments and Northern Indigenous communities to allow them to complete risk assessments that will provide information related to community or regional level impacts, as well as to identify and assess adaptation measures.

Through the Northern REACHE (Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity) program, the Department will continue to lead the interdepartmental working group and engage with territorial governments, utilities, Indigenous organizations and Northern communities in support of the development of a final plan and timeline for deploying innovative renewable energy and efficiency alternatives to diesel in the North. It is expected that the plan and timeline will identify the current energy context for each region along with action priorities and next steps. The plan will also identify key areas of federal support and be used to inform future project investments across each region. The Northern REACHE program will continue to provide support to Northern communities, governments, and organizations in the planning and construction of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the three territories as well as the Inuit regions of Nunavik (Northern Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador).

Description

This Program supports scientific research and technology in the North through programs and infrastructure to ensure domestic and international policy on key northern issues is better informed by a scientific knowledge base. The focus of this Program is to: research and monitor contaminants and their impacts on the ecosystem and human health through the Northern Contaminants Program; assess, manage and communicate scientific data and results, and contribute expertise to help inform public policy making and international controls on certain contaminants; and support the construction of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. Northerners and all Canadians will benefit from a knowledge base that supports health and sustainable development and the positioning of Canada as an international leader in Arctic science and technology.

Planning highlights

As the lead federal department for the North, INAC plays a key role in promoting responsible science and technology for decision-making about the region. INAC's history of domestic and international leadership on Northern science and technology dates back more than 25 years and includes: playing a lead role in the Canadian International Polar Year Program; hosting the International Polar Year 2012 Conference; establishing and managing the Northern Contaminants Program; serving as Canada's head of delegation to the Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme; and launching the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.

Building on this experience, INAC also has a role in facilitating the mobilization of northern knowledge to maximize the impact of research by translating it into clear and usable language that is accessible to governments, industry, and communities. INAC contributes to federal policy and program development on northern science and technology, generates social and economic analysis and expertise on the North, and promotes traditional knowledge in public and private sector programs and activities in the North.

Through the Northern Contaminants Program, INAC has funded innovative research projects — guided by both scientific and traditional knowledge — to broaden our understanding of the potential impact of Northern contaminants on the health of animals and people. In 2017, the Northern Contaminants Program will mark its 25th anniversary by holding a Results Workshop in the North. Under the Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, INAC will lead and coordinate Canada's engagement in preparing technical reports and summaries for policy-makers for the upcoming 2017 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on the issues of pollution, climate change, adaptation and resilience.

The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) continues to be developed in consultation with Northerners and with input from Indigenous, academic, industry, territorial and government stakeholders. Construction of the Cambridge Bay station is on schedule, with the campus due to be operational in summer 2017 and fully commissioned by March 2018. The grand opening is scheduled for fall 2017 to coincide with Canada's 150th anniversary celebrations.

In 2017, Polar Knowledge Canada will assume responsibility for operating CHARS and developing the station's science and technology program. Efforts are underway to amend the Canadian High Arctic Research Station Act so that Polar Knowledge Canada can allow the transfer of all real property associated with the station by March 31, 2018.

On March 10, 2016, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama issued a joint statement calling for development of a shared Arctic leadership model. On December 20, 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama announced a series of actions designed to advance this shared approach to Arctic leadership. These include an indefinite moratorium on oil and gas activity in Canada's Arctic Ocean and the vast majority of U.S. waters in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and reduced diesel use in Canadian Arctic communities. Canada also committed to co-develop a new Arctic Policy Framework with Northerners, Territorial and Provincial governments, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People.

Description

This Program focuses on the management, sustainable development and regulatory oversight of the land, water, natural resources, and environment of the North, delivering on the Department's role as the Government of Canada's natural resource manager in Nunavut and the northern offshore and its post-devolution responsibilities in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. This Program involves: managing oil and gas resources development; supporting the sustainable management of active mineral exploration and development; supporting the sound management of contaminated sites and the few remaining INAC-managed land and water areas in the North; and ensuring the completion of territorial land-use planning including zones for conservation, development and other uses. Northerners and Canadians will benefit from economic opportunities and sustainable development.

Planning highlights

In exercising regulatory oversight of the environment and resource management in the North, in 2017–2018 INAC plans to implement regulatory changes in Yukon and the Northwest Territories to address First Nation concerns about compatibility between environmental assessment legislation and land claims agreements. It will develop these amendments in conjunction with First Nations and governments in both territories and will include input from industry and other interested stakeholders. In June of 2016 Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act received first reading in the House of Commons.

While the Department works with Indigenous groups and territorial governments to amend legislation in Yukon and the Northwest Territories, the parties will also seek to find administrative and operational ways to work more closely together to address or avoid similar future challenges, improve the regulatory system, and rebuild relationships.

INAC will also advance the development of key resource management regulations in the area of administrative monetary penalties for federal lands in the Northwest Territories and federal and territorial lands in Nunavut.

INAC manages natural resources in Nunavut and the Northern offshore on behalf of the Government of Canada. As such, it will continue to administer mineral, oil and gas rights as well as the royalty regime under the Canada Petroleum Resources Act and the Nunavut Mining Regulations — including the collection of Crown revenues from oil and gas, and mining companies.

In 2017–2018, the Department will work with Indigenous and government partners to improve co-management strategies in Nunavut. It will also develop mineral and petroleum management policies to support land use planning (including in protected areas), environmental assessment and financial assurance requirements.

INAC will undertake a one-year consultation process with existing oil and gas licence holders in the Beaufort Sea, and other key Northern and Indigenous stakeholders, focusing on the status of the rights and interests of the licence holders within the context of a new policy framework for the Arctic.

INAC will work closely with Indigenous communities to complete work on the Beaufort Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Baffin Bay and Davis Strait — initiatives that will use science and traditional knowledge to inform decision making around potential future oil and gas activity in these regions.

INAC is mandated to ensure sound management, sustainable development and regulatory oversight for land and water — a responsibility it will meet by ensuring land authorizations and water licences (including the management of applicable liability securities) are issued within the legislated timelines. The Department will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with land and water authorizations to minimize environmental impacts. For the marine offshore, INAC will continue to take part in national and international forums to ensure its views are known.

In 2017–2018, INAC will continue to promote the Northern resource economy while protecting the environment by providing technical and procedural advice and analysis to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board for two Northwest Territories projects (the Tlicho All Season Road and the Prairie Creek All Season Road). It will offer similar advice to the Nunavut Impact Review Board for Nunavut's Whale Tail Project and Hope Bay Phase 2 Project. These four projects will require a Ministerial decision on the environmental assessment recommendation under the regulated timelines. INAC will also continue supporting improved certainty and informed decision making by contributing to the completion of regional land use plans in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Through the Nunavut General Monitoring Plan, INAC will continue to fund general monitoring initiatives designed to collect and report information on long-term conditions for Nunavut's environment, people, communities and economy. This information will be used to raise public awareness and inform decision-making.

In order to ensure the protection of human health and safety and the environment for Northerners and Indigenous peoples, the Department will continue to advance the risk management and remediation of high priority contaminated sites in the North, through the Northern Contaminated Sites program.

The program's activities and procurement strategies will bring economic benefits to Northerners and Indigenous peoples through employment and training opportunities. To build effective relationships, the program will continue to engage with Indigenous partners and interested stakeholders in remediation planning and implementation. The Department also takes proactive measures to ensure operations at risk of insolvency are closely monitored effectively. The program has adopted an integrated risk management approach to identify key risks and mitigation strategies so INAC can respond effectively to change and uncertainty.

The Department's two largest and most complex contaminated sites, the Giant and Faro Mines, are a significant long-term financial liability. To reduce potential impacts to human health and safety and the environment, risk mitigation and care and maintenance activities are being completed while the complex remediation and closure plans are developed in consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. With the Government of Yukon, the Department will hire a construction management firm to begin advanced remediation work at the Faro Mine site (building a creek diversion, upgrading a dam, and installing a spillway). For Giant Mine, the Department will hire a construction management firm to finalize the remediation plan and oversee its implementation. It will also continue to address requirements stemming from the 2014 environmental assessment, including completing a human health risk assessment.

The Government

Program 1.4 (Other Claims) has been added, and will be retroactively included in INAC's 2016–2017 report on departmental results.

The People

Sub-Program 2.2.2 (National Child Benefit) has been removed and replaced by the new Canada Child Benefit, which is managed through Canada Revenue Agency.

Sub-Program 2.4.2 (Reconciliation) under Residential Schools Resolution has concluded.

Sub-Program 2.4.1 (Independent Assessment Process) has been subsumed into Program 2.4 (Residential Schools Resolution).

The Land and Economy

Sub-Program 3.4.5 (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) has been renewed as Climate Resilience to reflect adjustments to INAC's climate change programming.

The North

Sub-Program 4.1.1 (Political Development and Intergovernmental Relations) has been renewed as Political Development, Intergovernmental and Inuit Relations, to emphasize relations with the Inuit community.

Sub-Program 4.1.3 (Climate Change Adaptation) has been renewed as Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy, to reflect adjustments to INAC's climate change programming.