Overview of Indigenous community infrastructure investments

Total Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) investments in Indigenous infrastructure projects by category, since April 2016.

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Background

There is a significant infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada. Infrastructure investments foster the growth of safe, healthy, and prosperous Indigenous communities and support Indigenous economic participation.

Since April 2016 and as of September 30, 2025, $17.44 billion of ISC targeted infrastructure funding has been invested toward 13,767 projects that support Indigenous community infrastructure.

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.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 1,573 water and wastewater-related infrastructure projects:
    • 766 projects completed
    • 807 projects ongoing
  • 596 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $5.22 billion of targeted funds has been invested to support ongoing and completed infrastructure projects related to water and wastewater, including:
    • 164 new water and wastewater treatment plants or lagoons
    • 1,073 renovations and upgrades to existing water and wastewater systems
    • 187 feasibility study and design projects
    • 149 capacity and operator support projects

To learn more about progress made toward ending long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, visit Ending long-term drinking water advisories.

Housing

To address on-reserve housing needs, Indigenous Services Canada supports housing projects in First Nations communities including new builds, retrofits and renovations.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 7,055 housing-related infrastructure projects:
    • 3,517 projects completed
    • 3,538 projects ongoing
  • 611 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $3.94 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed housing-related infrastructure projects, including:
    • 2,757 capacity development and innovation projects
    • 1,750 new construction projects resulting in 7,921 housing units
    • 1,881 renovation and upgrade projects to 17,796 housing units
    • 585 projects resulting in the servicing or acquisition of 4,966 housing lots
    • 82 projects toward subdivision feasibility studies, design, construction and expansion

Education infrastructure

Investments in education infrastructure 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 September 30, 2025:

  • 336 education infrastructure projects:
    • 223 projects completed
    • 113 projects ongoing
  • 339 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $2.35 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed education infrastructure projects, including:
    • 92 projects resulting in the construction of 77 new schools
    • 198 projects resulting in renovations or upgrades to 157 existing schools
    • 12 supporting projects and initiatives
    • 34 feasibility study and design projects

Health infrastructure

Safe health infrastructure is essential to providing effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate health programs and services.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 717 health infrastructure projects:
    • 536 projects completed
    • 181 projects ongoing
  • 369 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $1.30 billion of targeted funds invested to support ongoing and completed health infrastructure projects, including:
    • 113 health facilities projects
    • 38 substance use treatment centre projects
    • 23 other health infrastructure projects
    • 543 Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve/Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Centre infrastructure projects

Energy systems

Indigenous Services Canada 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 to improve and optimize existing energy systems through upgrades and energy efficiency projects.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 237 energy projects:
    • 161 projects completed
    • 76 projects ongoing
  • 186 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $1.88 billion of targeted funds invested

Connectivity

The Government of Canada is supporting First Nations communities to bridge the digital divide by working with partners to provide access to high-speed internet that meets or exceeds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s universal service objective.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 65 connectivity projects:
    • 41 projects completed
    • 24 projects ongoing
  • 305 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $105.4 million of targeted funds invested

Fire protection on reserves

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

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 500 fire protection projects:
    • 280 projects completed
    • 220 projects ongoing
  • 494 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $179.5 million of targeted funds invested

Roads and bridges

Indigenous Services Canada is working in partnership 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 September 30, 2025:

  • 404 roads and bridges projects:
    • 255 projects completed
    • 149 projects ongoing
  • 257 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $780.2 million of targeted funds invested

Structural mitigation

Indigenous Services Canada 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, among others:

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 160 structural mitigation projects:
    • 81 projects completed
    • 79 projects ongoing
  • 280 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $202.9 million of targeted funds invested

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 September 30, 2025:

  • 289 culture and recreation-related infrastructure projects:
    • 255 projects completed
    • 34 projects ongoing
  • 220 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $160.6 million of targeted funds invested

Band administrative buildings

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

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 21 band administrative building projects:
    • 4 projects completed
    • 17 projects ongoing
  • 18 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $53.1 million of targeted funds invested

Other community initiatives

Indigenous Services Canada 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 September 30, 2025:

  • 452 projects:
    • 163 projects completed
    • 289 projects ongoing
  • 485 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $96.6 million of targeted funds invested

Solid waste management and land use planning

Investments in solid waste management systems on reserves are critical to protect both the environment and human health and safety, while also improving the readiness of First Nations communities to access economic opportunities.

Projects that support improved solid waste management on reserves include:

Investments in land use planning support First Nations and Indigenous partners to design, develop and implement community-led land use plans that guide decisions on the best use of lands and resources for infrastructure, economic development and community well-being.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 1,492 solid waste management and land use planning infrastructure projects:
    • 1,153 projects completed
    • 339 projects ongoing
  • 611 First Nations communities benefitting
  • $726.6 million of targeted funds invested to support solid waste management and land use planning projects, including:
    • 585 waste management infrastructure projects
    • 158 waste management feasibility studies and design projects
    • 610 supporting waste management projects and initiatives
    • 139 land use planning projects

Transfer of service delivery

The transfer of service delivery promotes self-determination by supporting Indigenous communities and organizations to independently deliver services by building capacity and readiness.

Progress to date

As of September 30, 2025:

  • 297 infrastructure projects related to the transfer of service delivery:
    • 142 projects completed
    • 155 projects ongoing
  • 581 communities benefitting
  • $225.4 million of targeted funds invested to support transfer of service delivery projects and initiatives, including:
    • 246 Asset Management Program projects
    • 24 housing and infrastructure service transfer initiatives
    • 26 Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative projects
    • 1 project supporting the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council

Urban infrastructure

Indigenous Services Canada 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 Indigenous Services Canada 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 September 30, 2025:

  • 169 infrastructure projects related to urban infrastructure:
    • 124 projects completed
    • 45 projects ongoing
  • $222.7 million of targeted funds invested to support urban Indigenous infrastructure 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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