441-02428 (Indigenous affairs)

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation through a nation-to-nation, and Government-to-Government approach with First Nations, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. The government has worked with First Nations partners to make meaningful, distinctions-based investments that respond to Indigenous-identified priorities. Spending on Indigenous priorities has increased significantly since 2015 (181%) with spending for 2023-24 estimated to be over $30.5 billion, rising further to a forecast of approximately $32 billion in 2024-25. Investments to date have improved the lives of Indigenous people and created new opportunities in communities across the country. By partnering with Indigenous people and service providers, these investments have delivered better access to health care, education, child and family services, housing, and infrastructure.

The On-Reserve Income Assistance Program was first introduced in 1964 as a policy to ensure income assistance was available to on-reserve residents in all of the provinces and territories. Currently, the program ensures income assistance is available to eligible on-reserve residents in the provinces as well as all Status First Nations living in Yukon, at standards reasonably comparable to the relevant province of residence or Yukon. Since 2015, the federal Government of Canada has worked closely with First Nations partners to improve this program and ensure it is responsive to their needs. Budget 2018 provided Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) with $8.5 million over two years for a regionally specific First Nations-led engagement process to better understand how to make the On-Reserve Income Assistance program more responsive to the needs of individuals on reserve, and to identify the supports required to help individuals better transition from income assistance to employment and education. In parallel with the national engagement, First Nations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island began research on self-determination in 2016 to support development of distinct approaches to income assistance in their respective provinces. Over the past few years, the Government of Canada has provided financial support to Maritime First Nations as they develop their own enhanced social policies to better meet the essential living expenses of low-income individuals in their communities.

In response to the findings of the National Report on the 2018 to 2020 First Nations-led engagement on Income Assistance, the Government of Canada continues to work with First Nation partners to ensure the program is more responsive to the needs of individuals on reserve. Budget 2024 proposes $927.3 million in investments for the on-Reserve Income Assistance program over five years starting in 2024-25, and $169 million ongoing to provide income support on reserve and expand programming to meet demand. This will address the urgent and essential needs of income assistance clients who are living in poverty on reserve and continue case management and pre-employment supports. As part of that investment, Budget 2024 is providing new funding to income assistance recipients with disabilities, ensuring they are able to not only cover essential living expenses like food, clothing and shelter, but also the many other disability-related costs that often prevent persons with disabilities from full, equal participation in the social and economic life of their communities.

The Government of Canada remains committed to working with First Nations partners to better meet the essential needs of Income Assistance clients in the Maritimes. While ISC remains committed to continuing discussions with First Nation partners regarding the advancement of their enhanced social policies, the department will also work with Maritime First Nations to ensure that they benefit from new funding announced in Budget 2024.