New permanent bilateral mechanisms

The Government of Canada has established permanent bilateral mechanisms with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation leaders to identify joint priorities, co-develop policy and monitor progress.

On this page

Background

New permanent bilateral mechanisms were announced in December 2016 as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

A total of $88.6 million was invested through Budgets 2017 and 2018 to support these new mechanisms.

Government of Canada and First Nations bilateral mechanism

Progress made in 2024

  • In June 2024, the Assembly of First Nations National Chief and Regional Chiefs joined federal Cabinet ministers in Ottawa for the first Nation-to-Nation meeting in 5 years, to strengthen relationships and make advancements toward shared priorities.

Progress made in 2017

  • In June 2017, the Prime Minister and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on shared priorities and discussed next steps in the permanent bilateral mechanism.
  • In November 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement after meeting with Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations.

Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee

The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Natan Obed, Presiden of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami participate in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting on November 8, 2024 in Ottawa.
(Photo courtesy of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami)

Progress made in 2024

  • In May 2024, the Prime Minister, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, federal Cabinet ministers, and elected Inuit leadership gathered for a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee to discuss progress achieved over the last year, which included reaching milestones in longer-term work underway in many priority areas to create a more prosperous Inuit Nunangat.
  • In November 2024, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami , federal cabinet ministers, and the elected Inuit leadership gathered in Ottawa for a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee. Discussions focused on improving food security in Inuit Nunangat, positioning Inuit at the forefront of Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy, and working together on Inuit rights, Inuit self-determination, and well-being to advance shared priorities towards a more prosperous Inuit Nunangat.

Progress made in 2023

Progress made in 2022

  • In April 2022, the Prime Minister joined the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, federal Cabinet ministers, and the elected Inuit leadership to endorse the new, historic Inuit Nunangat Policy. The policy is also available in Inuktitut and as a PDF in Inuktut Qaliujaapait (927 KB, 13 pages).

Progress made in 2021

Progress made in 2020

Progress made in 2019

Progress made in 2018

Progress made in 2017

Government of Canada and Métis Nation bilateral mechanism

Progress made in 2024

Progress made in 2019

Progress made in 2018

Progress made in 2017

  • In April 2017, the Prime Minister and the President of the Métis National Council and its governing members signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord during the first Métis Nation-Crown Summit.
  • In September 2017, the President of the Métis National Council and its governing members and federal Cabinet ministers issued a joint communiqué highlighting outcomes from their first ministerial-level meeting.

Did you find what you were looking for?

What was wrong?

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

Thank you for your feedback

Date modified: