Investing in Indigenous community infrastructure

Indigenous Services Canada works in partnership with Indigenous communities to support projects through targeted infrastructure investments.

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Background

There is a significant infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada. Infrastructure investments are a key element of the government's commitment to foster the growth of safe, healthy, and prosperous Indigenous communities and support Indigenous economic participation.

Since April 2016 and as of December 31, 2023, $10.91 billion of targeted funds has been invested toward 10,252 projects that will benefit Indigenous communities.

Water and wastewater

Working in partnership with First Nations communities to improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure and expand access to clean drinking water is a priority for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

To learn more about the progress made on the Government of Canada's commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, visit Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 1,291 water and wastewater-related infrastructure projects:
    • 568 projects completed
    • 723 projects ongoing
  • 591 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $3.82 billion of targeted funds has been invested to support infrastructure projects related to water and wastewater, including:
    • 130 new water and wastewater treatment plants or lagoons
    • 876 renovations and upgrades to existing water and wastewater systems
    • 159 feasibility study and design projects
    • 126 supporting projects and initiatives, including training and capacity building

Housing

To address on-reserve housing needs, ISC works in partnership with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation to support housing projects in First Nations communities including new builds, retrofits and renovations.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 4,982 housing-related infrastructure projects:
    • 2,550 projects completed
    • 2,432 projects ongoing
  • 611 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $1.95 billion of targeted funds invested to support housing-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 1,751 capacity development and innovation projects
    • 1,308 new unit construction projects resulting in 5,875 homes
    • 1,502 unit renovation and upgrade projects improving 12,793 homes
    • 393 lot servicing and lot acquisition projects resulting in 3,324 lots
    • 28 projects towards subdivisions and subdivision extensions

School facilities

Investments in school facilities in First Nations communities create quality, safe and healthy learning environments that provide positive educational outcomes for students living on reserves.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 310 school facility projects:
    • 180 projects completed
    • 130 projects ongoing
  • 319 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $2.07 billion of targeted funds invested to support school facility projects ongoing and completed projects, including:
    • 82 projects resulting in the construction of 71 new schools
    • 183 projects resulting in renovations or upgrades to 153 existing schools
    • 11 supporting projects and initiatives toward capacity building
    • 34 feasibility study and design projects

Health

Safe health facilities are essential when providing effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate health programs and services.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 286 health-related infrastructure projects:
    • 216 projects completed
    • 70 projects ongoing
  • 214 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $716.9 million of targeted funds invested to support health-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 94 health facility projects
    • 9 addiction treatment centres
    • 164 Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve program projects
    • 19 other health infrastructure projects

Energy systems

ISC is working in partnership with First Nations to transition communities from fossil fuel to clean, reliable and affordable energy systems. Investments include alternative energy projects such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind.

The department also supports communities in improving and optimizing existing energy systems through upgrades and energy efficiency projects.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 201 energy projects:
    • 135 projects completed
    • 66 projects ongoing
  • 183 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $346.9 million of targeted funds invested to support energy-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 187 energy infrastructure projects
    • 14 feasibility study and design projects

Connectivity

The Government of Canada is committed to helping First Nations communities bridge the digital divide by working with partners to provide access to high-speed internet that meets or exceeds the universal service objective.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 51 connectivity projects:
    • 32 projects completed
    • 19 projects ongoing
  • 291 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $93.0 million of targeted funds invested to support connectivity-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 48 connectivity infrastructure projects
    • 3 feasibility study and design projects

Fire protection

Fire protection is an essential service that can mean the difference between life and death. The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations and provincial, territorial and municipal partners to address fire protection on reserves.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 326 fire protection projects:
    • 220 projects completed
    • 106 projects ongoing
  • 286 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $120.1 million of targeted funds invested to support infrastructure projects related to fire protection, including:
    • 318 fire protection infrastructure projects
    • 8 feasibility study and design projects

Roads and bridges

ISC is collaborating with First Nations and other stakeholders to build, repair, upgrade and maintain roads and bridges. These projects create lasting and positive outcomes that reach beyond the roads and allow communities to benefit from further infrastructure projects.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 331 roads and bridges projects:
    • 206 projects completed
    • 125 projects ongoing
  • 219 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $555.8 million of targeted funds invested to support infrastructure projects related to roads and bridges, including:
    • 293 roads and bridges infrastructure projects
    • 38 feasibility study and design projects

Structural mitigation

ISC is working with First Nations to increase the resilience of communities at high risk of impacts associated with climate-related hazards.

Structural mitigation projects include:

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 128 structural mitigation projects:
    • 72 projects completed
    • 56 projects ongoing
  • 265 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $156.3 million of targeted funds invested to support structural mitigation-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 103 structural mitigation infrastructure projects
    • 25 feasibility study and design projects

Culture and recreation

In First Nations communities, culture and recreation infrastructure can provide an important focal point for community activities.

Cultural and recreational facilities include:

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 278 culture and recreation-related infrastructure projects:
    • 251 projects completed
    • 27 projects ongoing
  • 216 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $121.7 million of targeted funds invested to support infrastructure projects related to culture and recreation, including:
    • 253 culture and recreation infrastructure projects
    • 17 feasibility study and design projects
    • 8 supporting projects and initiatives

Band administrative buildings

Band administrative buildings are often flagship infrastructure where governance, administration and service delivery activities are conducted. ISC is supporting First Nations in addressing long-standing needs related to band administrative buildings on reserves, including band offices, band council and administrative buildings.

The band administrative buildings category was added in late 2021 to record projects under this heading going forward. These projects were formerly recorded under other infrastructure categories.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 11 ongoing band administrative building projects
  • 11 First Nation communities benefitting
  • $16.2 million of targeted funds invested to support infrastructure projects related to band administrative buildings, including:
    • 9 band administrative building infrastructure projects
    • 2 feasibility study and design project

Other community initiatives

ISC is investing in First Nations community initiatives to support community development and growth. This support includes investments in comprehensive community planning and skills development projects that will enable long-term, sustainable First Nations community development.

Other community initiatives include projects such as:

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 427 projects:
    • 148 projects completed
    • 279 projects ongoing
  • 495 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $65.4 million of targeted funds invested to support related infrastructure projects related to other community initiatives, including:
    • 424 other community initiatives infrastructure projects
    • 3 feasibility study and design projects

Solid waste management

Infrastructure to manage solid waste is critical to protecting the environment and human health, while also enhancing economic opportunities available to communities.

ISC is working to support First Nations with investments in solid waste management including:

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 1,236 solid waste management-related infrastructure projects:
    • 926 solid waste management projects completed
    • 310 projects ongoing
  • 610 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $601.1 million of targeted funds invested to support solid waste management projects, including:
    • 493 waste management infrastructure projects
    • 160 feasibility study and design projects
    • 583 supporting projects and initiatives

Transfer of service delivery

The transfer of service delivery supports Indigenous communities and organizations in independently delivering services by building capacity and readiness, thereby promoting self-determination.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 225 infrastructure projects related to the transfer of service delivery
    • 98 projects completed
    • 127 projects ongoing
  • 502 communities benefitting
  • $138.4 million of targeted funds invested to support related projects and initiatives, including:
    • 184 Asset Management Planning Initiative projects
    • 13 housing and infrastructure service transfer initiatives
    • 27 Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative projects
    • 1 National Indigenous Fire Safety Council Project

Urban infrastructure

ISC investments in urban Indigenous infrastructure are allocated to and managed by urban and rural Indigenous service delivery organizations. Funding is used to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centres by helping to ensure safe and accessible facilities.

The following organizations manage urban infrastructure projects supported by ISC investments:

Investments in urban infrastructure aim to ensure safe and accessible spaces for program and service delivery by supporting capital projects that focus on essential health and safety, accessibility and energy efficiency.

Progress to date

As of December 31, 2023:

  • 169 infrastructure projects related to urban infrastructure:
    • 68 projects completed
    • 101 projects ongoing
  • $142.3 million of targeted funds invested to support related urban projects, including:
    • 55 major projects (projects with a cost greater than $1 million)
      • includes building purchases, new constructions, renovations, upgrades and expansions
    • 114 minor projects (projects with a cost up to $1 million)
      • includes energy efficiency projects, retrofits, repairs, plumbing and electrical, interior renovations, etc.

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