Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) - OAG Follow-up Report, December 10, 2025

Logistics

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Room 025-B, West Block

Appearing

Committee Membership

• MP Terry Sheehan (LIB – ON) (Chair)
• MP Jaime Battiste (LIB – NS)
• MP Philip Earle (LIB – NFD)
• MP Ginette Lavack (LIB – MB)
• MP Brendan Hanley (LIB – YK)
• MP Jamie Schmale (CPC – ON) (Vice-Chair)
• MP Eric Melillo (CPC – ON)
• MP Billy Morin (CPC – AB)
• MP Bob Zimmer (CPC – BC)
• MP Sébastien Lemire (BQ – QC) (Vice-Chair)

Parliamentary Analysis

• MP Terry Sheehan (LIB) (Chair) was previously a Parliamentary Secretary for FedNor. It is unlikely he will take time from committee members to pose questions.
• MP Jaime Battiste (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, has been a strong advocate for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues throughout his career. He may ask questions about progress made safe drinking water in Indigenous communities. During officials' appearances on Main Estimates, he asked about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the government's efforts towards implementing the TRC's calls to action.
• MP Philip Earle (LIB) given an interest in Arctic sovereignty and security, major projects and the One Canadian Economy Act, he is likely to ask questions regarding the work the government has done and is doing to reduce socio-economic gaps in First Nations Reserves.
• MP Ginette Lavack (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. During the recent appearance of the Minister regarding Budget 2025 she asked for a description of the measures the department has taken to address recommendations of the OAG pertaining to clean drinking water. She specifically referenced response coordination to water advisories, accountability and service improvements.
• MP Brendan Hanley (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, is likely to focus his questions on the North. He may ask questions focused on the progress the department has made implementing recommendations pertaining the Access to Healthy Services for Remote First Nations Communities, and Emergency Management reports.
• MP Jamie Schmale (CPC) (Vice-Chair) is also the CPC Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations. He is likely to ask questions pertaining to accountability for the department not fully implementing recommendations made by the OAG. He may question why the department has continued to grow in size and staffing, but isn't seeing that same growth in progress or results. During the recent appearance of the Minister and officials on Budget 2025, MP Schmale referenced audit results on health care professionals, housing overcrowding, long term drinking water advisories, infrastructure, and mental health services.
• MP Eric Melillo (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. May question how the increase in departmental budget hasn't resulted in satisfactory progress in addressing the OAG's recommendations. During the recent appearance of the Minister and officials on Budget 2025, he focused on the overall figures of the report, noting that 53% of the time, the department had made unsatisfactory progress in implementing actions needed.
• MP Bob Zimmer (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Arctic Affairs & Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Is likely to focus his questions on the North. May also ask broader questions regarding accountability within the department for not making enough progress on OAG recommendations. May ask specific questions regarding the Access to Health Services for Remote First Nations Communities and Access to Safe Drinking Water reports.
• MP Billy Morin (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services and he was formerly a Chief of the Enoch Cree Nation (2015 – 2022). During the recent appearance of the Minister regarding Budget 2025, he asked questions about B.C. First Nations that had opted out of the water class action suit and potential ongoing negotiations. With this in mind, he may ask questions regarding the progress made on implementing recommendations of the Access to Safe Drinking Water Report. He may also raise questions pertaining to Emergency Management, and addressing Socio-economic gaps through economic development opportunities.
• MP Sébastien Lemire (BQ) (Vice-Chair) is also the BQ critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. Is likely to focus his questions on First Nations in Quebec, and specifically in his riding. May ask questions regarding Emergency Management, Safe Drinking Water, and Socio-economic gaps reports.

Recent INAN studies, reports and government responses

• Briefing on Budget 2025
• Indigenous Policing and Public Safety Study
• Report 1: First Nations, Inuit and Métis Identity and Participation in Federal Procurement (presented to the House: October 23, 2025)
• Barriers to Indigenous Economic Development Study

Recent Correspondence

• MP Hanley - Correspondence regarding Modern Treaty implementation, and prioritize re-introducing C-77 from the 44th (MIN-A32824)
• MP Melillo - tragic fire in Cat Lake First Nation that destroyed their nursing station (MIN-A28370)
• MP Zimmer - Background RCMP files (MIN-A32101)
• MP Hanley - Naloxone Kit Provision and Non-Insured Health Benefits (MIN-A30541)
• MP Melillo - Support for Koocheching's Recognition as a First Nations Band under the Indian Act (MIN-A32077)
• MP Zimmer - Transfer of parcels on the Summit Lake watershed (MIN-A28018)
• MP Zimmer - Constituent Chris Johnston's request for assistance in searching for historical Indigenous records of his family (MIN-A28948)
• MP Zimmer - request for funding through Jordan's Principle for education costs (MIN-A29324)

Members OPQs/Petitions

Q-573 — November 17, 2025 — Billy Morin (Edmonton Northwest) — With regard to the government's response to "2021 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal 41: Order": (a) what are the details of all CHRT 41 projects developed or submitted since 2021, including their status (in development with Indigenous Services Canada, submitted, triaged, assessed, approved for feasibility, under revision, approved for construction, under construction, substantially complete, fully complete), broken down by fiscal year and region; (b) what are the service standards for CHRT 41 capital decisions at each stage; (c) how often were the service standards met; (d) what prioritization model is used to rank CHRT 41 projects; (e) what were the administrative costs to run CHRT 41 (broken down by headquarters and regions) and the capital outlay, broken down by fiscal year; (f) of approved projects, how many serve people (roman numeral 1i) on-reserve, (roman numeral 2ii) off-reserve, (roman numeral 3iii) both on- and off-reserve; (g) of the approved projects, how many are single‑purpose First Nations child and family services, or for the delivery of services under Jordan's Principle projects, and how many are for multi-use facilities that include other services; (h) how many approved CHRT 41 requests included vehicles or mobile units (for example outreach vans), and what were the average approved cost per unit and delivery times; (i) what is the government's current definition of (roman numeral 1i) ready to proceed, (roman numeral 2ii) feasibility study, (roman numeral 3iii) substantial completion, used for CHRT 41; (j) what are the details of all changes that have been made to guidance used for CHRT 41 since 2021-22, including the dates and affected sections of each; and (k) what regional directives, decision trees, or interpretation bulletins have been issued to program staff regarding CHRT 41 since 2021-22?

Q-574 — November 17, 2025 — Billy Morin (Edmonton Northwest) — With regard to Jordan's Principle funding: (a) what was the total amount (roman numeral 1i) budgeted, (roman numeral 2ii) lapsed, (roman numeral 3iii) reprofiled, each year since 2016; (b) how many requests for funding were received each year since 2016; (c) of the requests in (b), how many were (roman numeral 1i) granted, (roman numeral 2ii) denied; (d) what is the breakdown of (c) by year the decision was made; (e) what are the internal service standards for receiving, processing, and fulfilling (roman numeral 1i) individual, (roman numeral 2ii) group, requests; (f) what are the government's estimates on how many children died or experienced serious adverse health outcomes while waiting for an approved Jordan's Principle service between 2016 and 2025; (g) what measures has Indigenous Services Canada implemented to ensure equitable access for children living off-reserve or attending public (non-First-Nation-operated) schools; (h) what percentage of funding for school services currently is going to subsidize non-Indigenous students; (i) what mechanisms does Indigenous Services Canada use to ensure that Jordan's Principle funding directed to off-reserve schools is proportionate to the number of eligible First Nations children, and not a general subsidy to provincial education systems; (j) what audits, if any, has the government undertaken to assess whether Jordan's Principle-funded positions in off-reserve or mixed-enrolment schools also provide services to non-eligible students, and what were the findings of each; (k) how does the government screen applications for fraud; (l) what is the rate, or suspected rate, of attempted fraud on application; (m) what are the details of all consultations undertaken with the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, or other Indigenous organizations before and after implementing the 2025 operational changes; (n) what evaluation has been conducted to determine whether the February 2025 policy changes are consistent with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders on Jordan's Principle; (o) what agreements has the government entered into with provinces and territories since 2022 to clarify cost-sharing or reimbursement for Jordan's Principle services delivered off-reserve; (p) what performance metrics does the government use to evaluate Jordan's Principle service delivery (timeliness, satisfaction, equality outcomes), and what were the most recent results for each; (q) has the government completed any child rights impact assessment on Jordan's Principle, and, if so, what were the findings, conclusions and recommendations; and (r) what data-sharing agreements exist among federal departments and with provinces to track outcomes of Jordan's Principle recipients, and how does the government ensure compliance with privacy and data-sovereignty principles?

In the Media

• First Nations considering legal action to get feds to move on clean water legislation
• Deloitte's certification as partner to Indigenous firms raises questions about access to feds' contract regime, says Indigenous business owner
• Indigenous Services Canada fails to deliver on most promises, says auditor general
• Canada's auditor general calls out 'unsatisfactory progress' on First Nations programs
• Auditor General set to release updates on 6 past audits. Here's what the AG is looking at
• Nunavut MP says kids are starving, as Liberals' budget sparks debate about potential impacts | CBC News
• Indigenous leaders decry budget's lack of money for key reconciliation programs | CBC News
• Indigenous programs face $2.3B in cuts, some new money in Carney's 1st budget | CBC News
• Federal budget 'does not reflect the needs of First Nations': Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | CBC News
• First Nations educators worry 'ominous' funding letter will further impact classroom quality | CBC News
• First Nation and Canada begin legal battle over 'grossly underfunded' on-reserve schools | CBC News
• Indigenous Services ignored 18 out of 34 recommendations
• FSIN 'strongly disputes' results of ISC forensic audit

Meeting Proceedings

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Chair will call the meeting to order and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. They will then introduce the witnesses and invite them to deliver opening remarks (limit of 5 minutes). Following the opening remarks, there will be rounds of questions from Committee.

It is recommended that all speakers speak at a moderate pace and at an appropriate volume to ensure they are heard by the interpreters. All witnesses are asked to mute their microphones unless they are speaking. A new practice that was recently instituted as a measure to protect interpreters from injury, is that when earpieces are not in use by witnesses, that they be placed on the designated white circles installed on the table.

Departmental Officials appearing as witnesses should avoid making commitments to parliamentarians outside of the meeting's official proceedings. If a Member of Parliament or Senator approaches a witness asking for information, they should politely redirect that request to the Clerk of the Committee, who will then officially liaise with the Department.

The meeting can be watched via ParlVU, however there may be an up to 70-second delay with the webcast.

Other Information for Appearing In-Person

Witnesses should arrive early to allow time for security screening. Screening could take 30 minutes or more for those without a Hill pass.

Auditor General's Report

Turning first to the report itself, it shows that progress is happening and identifies areas where we need to improve. I thank the Auditor General for recognizing the progress that is being made. My department will soon present an action plan that lays out the next steps, shaped by what we've heard from communities.

I carry this responsibility with care. As a First Nations woman, I know the impact when services work and when they fall short. I've seen the difference that a well-prepared nurse makes in a remote community, and I've listened to leaders building solutions rooted in their own knowledge systems.

Health Services

Let me share some of the work already underway, beginning with health services.

Budget 2021expanded the front-line workforce in First Nations communities. This includes paramedics, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners in remote communities.

The implementation of this framework has resulted in the number of frontline nurses within the Department increasing from 593 in 2021 to 692 in 2024. Similarly, the number of Indigenous Services Canada nurses working in remote and isolated Indigenous communities increased from 366 in 2021 to 396 in 2024.

In one northern community, the arrival of a nurse practitioner meant elders could receive consistent primary care close to home, without long travel or delays. We're also offering incentives to help recruit and retain staff in remote areas, because we know that continuity of care builds trust and better outcomes.

Beyond primary care, we are also improving access to dental services. We're improving access to dental care through community programs and the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.

Last year, over 2.8 million dental claims were paid for First Nations and Inuit clients. That number represents real people who have accessed a broad range of dental services, from prevention to fillings, across Canada and across their lifespan.

Emergency Management

Just as health care strengthens individual well-being, emergency management strengthens community safety. Our relationship with First Nations and provincial partners on emergency management is stronger today. We completed phase 1 of agreement negotiations in British Columbia and are close to finalizing new multilateral agreements in the Atlantic region.

As of 2024–25, 83% of high-risk communities have access to a coordinator, and we continue to work with partners to achieve full coverage and strengthen local emergency management capacity. We now support over 300 full or part-time emergency management coordination positions across Canada.

We're using a risk-based approach to direct funding where it's needed most, because preparedness saves lives.

We will keep working together—grounded in Indigenous knowledge—to protect lives, strengthen community resilience, and reduce the impact of emergency incidents.

Clean Drinking Water

Access to clean drinking water remains a priority. We're funding operations and maintenance for existing systems and supporting First Nations to build new infrastructure.

Since 2015, we have committed over $7 billion to support First Nations for on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure and operations and maintenance, including over $5 billion to support 1,545 water and wastewater projects that will benefit 595 communities serving approximately 481,000 people, 725 of which are completed.

First Nations, with our support, have lifted 148 long-term drinking water advisories, providing access to clean water for 9,196 homes and 650 buildings, and prevented over 310 short-term advisories from becoming long-term.

Since 2016 and as of March 31, 2025, approximately $1.06 billion has been invested in 162 projects to address long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. This includes funding invested in infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and new construction projects.

Based on the 2023-2024 annual performance inspections, 97.5% of public water systems on reserve produce treated water that meets the prescribed standards in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

The overall percentage of active boil water advisories in place for over four years in First Nations systems dropped significantly from 34% at the end of 2016 to 9% at the end of 2021 and, in non-First Nations systems, dropped only slightly from 35% to 30%.

We're also investing in training for water operators, including the circuit rider training program, which provides hands-on support to operators. These operators are often the first to respond when something goes wrong.

Data Sovereignty and Self-Determination

Beyond infrastructure, we are advancing self-determination and data sovereignty. We're working with First Nations partners to respect data sovereignty and to share data that will support communities in making evidence-based decisions. These examples show how we are working alongside communities. We're moving away from one-size-fits-all programs, and supporting First Nations-led institutions.

In Manitoba, we are supporting First Nations to establish two First Nation-led health authorities - one in the North and one in the South. These health authorities will design and deliver health services and supports to communities, grounded in cultural knowledge and clinical excellence. That's self-determination in action.

Long-Term Capacity

We're also investing in First Nations' long-term capacity to deliver water, emergency management, and health services. These investments are shaped by what communities have told us they need and are a part of a long-term commitment to partnership and progress.

I believe in the strength of Indigenous communities, the resilience passed down through generations, and the power of partnership.

We are making progress, learning from communities, and building services that reflect Indigenous strengths and priorities. And we are doing this work together.

Miikwehch, meegwetch [meeg-wetch], Qujannamiik [Koo-ya-na-meek], Marsi [mar-see]. merci. Thank you.

Indigenous Services Canada - Quarterly Achievement Highlights

Health

What financial resources are available and used to achieve our goals?

Health – Budget / Actuals Trend from 2018-19 to 2027-28

Text alternative for Health – Budget / Actuals Trend from 2018-19 to 2027-28

Year	Main Estimates / Reference Level	Authorities Available for Use / Authorities to date / ForecastTable note 1	Actual Expenditures
2018-19	3,126,366,306	4,042,363,114	3,830,901,609
2019-20	3,520,882,590	4,398,158,701	4,166,555,124
2020-21	3,934,132,063	5,499,811,700	4,866,342,636
2021-22	4,212,238,418	5,995,913,061	5,496,506,587
2022-23	5,676,464,986	6,383,631,387	6,010,177,520
2023-24	5,415,826,211	7,281,276,684	7,150,336,464
2024-25	6,212,808,932	8,470,267,433
2025-26	8,173,050,734
2026-27	6,016,430,273
2027-28	6,161,393,485
Table note 1 2018-19 to 2023-24 Authorities available for use as per Public Accounts and Departmental Results Report (Restated as per DRF 2023-24). 2024-25 Forecast as per the 2025-26 Departmental Plan. 2025-26 as per anticipated 2025-26 Main Estimates. 2026-27 and 2027-28 as per anticipated Departmental Plan 2025-26. Return to table note 1 referrer

Funding Authorities – Health (Year-over-Year in millions) from 2024-25 to 2027-28

Text alternative for Funding Authorities – Health (Year-over-Year in millions) from 2024-25 to 2027-28

Health Service Area - Programs	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27	2027-28
Public Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	1,604	1,623	1,225	1,206
Home and Long-Term Care	425	414	347	352
Primary Health Care	569	392	337	336
Health Systems Support	1,077	1,108	1,150	1,196
Supplementary Health Benefits	2,438	2,708	2,173	2,300
Jordan's Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative	2,454	1,927	784	772

Infrastructure and Environments

What financial resources are available and used to achieve our goals?

Infrastructure and Environments – Budget / Actuals Trend from 2018-19 to 2027-28

Text alternative for Infrastructure and Environments – Budget / Actuals Trend from 2018-19 to 2027-28

Year	Main Estimates / Reference Level	Authorities Available for Use / Authorities to date / ForecastTable note 1	Actual Expenditures
2018-19	1,472,231,257	2,347,852,676	2,343,487,155
2019-20	2,047,662,204	2,570,038,468	2,563,758,046
2020-21	2,402,084,199	3,739,744,596	3,409,509,663
2021-22	2,436,012,520	4,555,378,266	3,920,338,238
2022-23	3,824,906,629	4,926,491,136	4,536,279,074
2023-24	4,143,190,259	4,716,349,999	4,665,569,346
2024-25	4,769,268,048	6,356,343,397
2025-26	5,117,547,031
2026-27	4,277,762,368
2027-28	3,353,606,398
Table note 1 2018-19 to 2023-24 Authorities available for use as per Public Accounts and Departmental Results Report (Restated as per DRF 2023-24). 2024-25 Forecast as per the 2025-26 Departmental Plan. 2025-26 as per anticipated 2025-26 Main Estimates. 2026-27 and 2027-28 as per anticipated Departmental Plan 2025-26. Return to table note 1 referrer

Funding Authorities – Infrastructure and Environment (Year-over-Year in millions) from 2024-25 to 2027-28

Text alternative for Funding Authorities – Infrastructure and Environment (Year-over-Year in millions) from 2024-25 to 2027-28

Infrastructure and Environments Service Area - Programs	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27	2027-28
Community Infrastructure	5,876	4,534	3,781	2,848
Communities and the Environment	319	393	386	394
Emergency Management Assistance	209	197	111	111

Key Messages

• Since 2017, ISC has implemented interprofessional models of care to support the existing Registered Nurses (RN) workforce and meet community essential health service needs. Nurse practitioners, whose expanded scope includes diagnosing, prescribing and treatment, were first introduced in response to limited access to provincial physicians. In 2021, licensed practical nurses were introduced to care for clients with stable, predictable conditions and paramedics were added to care for clients with urgent and emergent health conditions.
• In total, 28 nurse practitioners, 75 licensed practical nurses, and 13 Registered Nurse positions have been added to the frontline workforce, across 50 communities.
• ISC supports safe essential service provision through equipping its frontline workforce with clinical support tools such as clinical care protocols, clinical policies and procedures, and regular access to clinical practice support staff to support evidence-based clinical decision making.
• Significant progress has been made on many of the recommendations in the report related to access to health services; ISC remains committed to working in partnership with First Nations to clearly articulate its intended provision of Clinical and Client Care services, identify barriers to service delivery, and design solutions that enhance quality and sustainability of these services. This work will help ensure that nursing stations continue to meet essential standards while reflecting the unique needs, cultures, and priorities of the communities they serve.
• ISC is strengthening its quality improvement processes, based on accreditation standards to steadily work towards industry best practices in remote and isolated communities. Accreditation standards are Department's mechanism for ensuring comparable access to quality care.
• As of 1 April 2025, the 1st of 50 ISC run nursing stations had been accredited and work is active both nationally and regionally towards meeting accreditation standards.

Background

• Indigenous Services Canada supports primary health care services in 79 remote and isolated First Nations communities, and two hospitals in Manitoba. Of these communities, Indigenous Services Canada directly delivers primary health care services in 50 remote and isolated communities in four regions (Alberta (4), Manitoba (21), Ontario (24) and Quebec (1)).
• Provision of essential health services to remote and isolated Indigenous communities is shared between federal and provincial governments. Physician services on reserve are provided by provincially compensated physicians. When hospital or advanced treatment services are required, ISC supports the clients to travel to provincial centres to receive care that cannot be safely provided in community.
• Nursing stations are the cornerstone of health care delivery in remote and isolated First Nations communities, providing a full spectrum of clinical and client care services that are vital to supporting equitable access to health care.

Current Status

• ISC is in the process of updating the Basket of Services (BOS) document for services offered by the Clinical Client Care program in remote and isolated First Nations communities. This document describes the services that can be safely offered in communities along with the health human resource and material resource required to deliver these services.
• In parallel to this update, a gap analysis is underway to identify policy gaps within the organization which will feed into a continuous quality improvement process for the services offered by the Department.
• ISC conducts patient safety reviews of reported incidents experienced during health care interactions to identify contributing factors and takes action to improve care delivery in the future along with the implementation of best practices for quality improvement.
• Engagements are ongoing with the communities served by ISC to develop regional procedures to guide any necessary reduction and suspension of services in the case of security concerns, natural disasters, staff shortages and other significant events.

Key Messages

• We continue to face a national nursing shortage across the country, impacting health service provision across health systems in Canada, including on-reserve services provided or funded by Indigenous Services Canada. In addition, challenges persists for the recruitment and retention of nurses in remote and isolated communities given the demanding nature of the work and the diverse skill set required, unparalleled in any other nursing environments.
• To respond to these challenges, ISC has developed and is implementing a Nursing Health Human Resources Framework aimed at improving recruitment and retention. As actions linked to this framework, ISC has implemented interprofessional teams, introducing nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses and paramedics to the team, streamlined recruitment, as well as implemented a Nursing Services Response Centre, and have improved the compensation package offered to the frontline health workforce.
• As a result of these efforts, the OAG found that the Department's progress to date on Health Human Resources was satisfactory, recognizing that despite these efforts, the Department was unable to meet its target staff complement in First Nations communities.
• As of October 31, 2025, ISC has an operational registered nurse vacancy of 28% which is supplemented with other health professionals, such as paramedics.
• ISC is committed to working with First Nations leadership, provincial government officials and other partners to find solutions to the ongoing health human resource challenge to ensure that high-quality, culturally safe, accessible, and effective health services are provided in remote and isolated Indigenous communities.

Background

• Exacerbated by the pandemic, the country is experiencing a national nursing shortage overall. Statistics Canada's Job Vacancy Report for the 2nd quarter of 2025 demonstrates the ongoing nursing HHR challenges faced by Canada (The Daily — Job vacancies, second quarter 2025). Despite a decline in 2025 compared to previous years, job vacancies in health occupations remained significantly above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels (68,900 in Q2 of 2025 vs 39,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019). Registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates and licensed practical nurses make up 61.2% of the total vacancies in health in the second quarter (not seasonally adjusted).
• Significant investment totalling $485.8M through Budgets 2021, 2022 and 2024, are supporting the continued implementation of the ISC Nursing Health Human Resource Framework.

Current Status

• The ISC Nursing Health Human Resources Framework was updated in 2025 to ensure its continuing relevance. The implementation of this Framework is supported by investments in Budget 2021 ($354M), Budget 2022 ($40.5M) and Budget 2024 ($91.3M).
• The newly negotiated PIPSC collective agreement that impacts registered nurses and nurse practitioners was implemented in May 2025 and is expected to positively impact retention.
• Currently, 21% of registered nurses/nurse practitioners working for ISC and 59% of ISC's licensed practical nurses are Indigenous. As a result of the recruitment advances made to date, ISC has improved recruitment by 221%; we hired 57 nurses in 2022-23 compared to 183 in 2024-25.
• Funded through Budget 2024, in July 2025, $25.5M was distributed to support the introduction of 24/7 security personnel in 79 remote and isolated communities where ISC employs and supports the delivery of healthcare. ISC regional offices are working diligently to prepare communication packages, advise First Nation partners of the funding, its parameters, and reporting requirements.
• Also supported through Budget 2024, ISC has invested $725K in 2025-26 and an additional $425K in 2026-27 for repairs and maintenance of nursing stations and health professional accommodations to respond to identified and prioritized security and occupational health and safety concerns and improve frontline retention.

Key Messages

• Indigenous Services Canada prioritizes the development of a competent frontline nursing workforce through the offering of extended orientations that include cultural safety and humility and on-going training for nurses to ensure the provision of quality essential services.
• Since 2015, ISC updated it's mandatory training policy for frontline nurses, implemented targets and quarterly tracking of compliance. As a result, compliance with mandatory training has increased substantially since 2015 and has met its 80% target for the completion of mandatory training courses from 2023-24 and 2024-25 for the existing workforce.
• A mandatory 15 hours of cultural competency training is required of all ISC employees every year, including frontline nurses and this training is part of each employee's performance agreement.

Background

• Nurses working in remote and isolated Indigenous communities require a broader range of competencies than nurses working in urban and rural centres.
• When hired, it is rare that nurses come with the entire breadth of competencies required.
• While it is standard practice across all nursing domains to receive an orientation ranging from several weeks to several months, in the ISC context, orientation and Primary Care Nurse Training ranges up to a year.
• ISC's suite of mandatory trainings for primary care nurses includes the clinical response to emergency situations, the handling of controlled substances, and immunization.

Current Status

• A learning management system (LMS) has recently been procured to support nurse orientation and training.
• This system will enhance the consistency of quarterly tracking of mandatory training nationally.

Key Messages

• Actions taken to address the original 2015 Auditor General report, includes:
  1. Improving the building condition inspection process for nursing stations
     • To ensure that buildings are inspected on a regular basis, ISC has increased the frequency of inspections from every five years, at the time of the original audit, to every three years.
     • ISC will communicate building condition inspection results through written correspondence with First Nations and the associated annual funding allocation intended to address identified inspection deficiencies.
     • ISC will ensure that the approach and process for building condition inspections is articulated in the program management control framework.
  2. Working with First Nation communities to ensure that new nursing stations are built according to applicable building codes.
     • First Nation communities manage community health infrastructure; ISC-funded health facilities are designed and constructed to applicable codes.
     • ISC ensures that health facilities are constructed to applicable building codes by obtaining documentation from First Nations.
• While progress has been made to address the OAG's recommendations, ISC agrees that more still needs to be done and will continue to work in partnership with First Nations to support access to safe, adequate and culturally appropriate health facilities.

Background

• The OAG's Status Report, tabled on October 21, 2025, reports on progress made on the 2015 report's recommendations between 2015 and April 1, 2025.
• The 2015 Audit was directed at Health Canada, as this was prior to these responsibilities being moved to ISC.
• The 2015 audit identified two recommendations related to health facilities, including that:
  1. Health Canada should work with First Nations communities to ensure that nursing stations are inspected on a regular basis and that deficiencies related to health and safety requirements or building codes are addressed in a timely manner.
  2. Health Canada should work with First Nations communities to ensure that new nursing stations are built according to applicable building codes.
• The Fall 2025 Follow-up on Programs for First Nations found unsatisfactory progress on the first recommendation (regarding inspections) and satisfactory progress on the second recommendation (regarding building codes).
• Key findings included:
  • 71% (35 of 49) of nursing stations were inspected over three years, excluding one newly built station.
  • The department did not consistently track health and safety or building code deficiencies identified in the inspections or whether these deficiencies were addressed.
  • ISC supported construction of six nursing stations since the 2015 audit; five received the required consultant attestations confirming compliance with building, fire, and plumbing codes (though one was submitted several years post-construction)

Current Status

• The Government of Canada will continue to work with First Nations to support access to safe, adequate and culturally appropriate health facilities.
• As a next step, the Department will begin communicating to First Nations the results of inspections undertaken and more details on operations and maintenance funding that can be used to address identified deficiencies.

Key Messages

• While there were many aspects of this audit, the OAG found that since the 2015 audit, ISC revised the information required from First Nations to access [the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program] medical transportation benefits and established policies for handling related data.
• ISC agrees with the OAG's finding that the data captured in the current legacy Medical Transportation Record System is incomplete.
• ISC's NIHB Program is currently taking steps to address this finding through system modernization and process standardization, consistent with the Treasury Board Policy on Service and Digital.

Background

• In 2025, the OAG undertook a follow-up of several previous audits, including the recommendations arising from this 2015 audit. One aspect of the 2015 audit related to the NIHB Program medical transportation benefit, more specifically, that ISC (formerly HC) should "maintain sufficient documentation to comply with the Treasury Board's 2009 Directive on Recordkeeping and to demonstrate that medical transportation benefits are administered according to Health Canada's 2005 Medical Transportation Policy Framework."
• OAG found that since the 2015 audit, ISC revised the information required from First Nations to access medical transportation benefits and established policies for handling related data.
• The NIHB program addressed the original recommendation from the 2015 audit, creating documentation to guide lifecycle management of documentation to comply with the Treasury Board Directive on Record Keeping.

Current Status

• ISC agrees with the OAG's finding that the data captured in the current legacy Medical Transportation Record System is incomplete.
• The NIHB Program is currently taking steps to address this finding through system modernization and process standardization, consistent with the Treasury Board Policy on Service and Digital.

Key Messages

• ISC's PPE stockpile serves as a tertiary, emergency backstop when provincial/territorial systems or the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (PHAC NESS) cannot meet urgent PPE needed to support health service delivery in First Nations communities.
• The stockpile ensures ISC meets its Canada Labour Code and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations obligations for ISC-employed health workers, including those in 50 nursing stations and 81 health centres.
• Leveraging from lessons learnt during pandemic, since 2020, ISC has implemented major system and process improvements to strengthen PPE procurement, inventory management, shipment tracking, and emergency surge response capacity.
• The OAG concluded that ISC's adoption of the Warehouse management System and strengthened procurement controls represented a satisfactory response to audit findings related to PPE stockpile accuracy and emergency preparedness.
• The improvements highlighted by the OAG – accurate inventory records, enhanced stockpile oversight, and a scalable procurement approach – are reflected in ongoing performance results, including ISC's ability to meet 100% of on-reserve PPE requests and sustain timely distribution during health emergencies.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department:
  • Processed over 1,600 PPE requests
  • Distributed more than three million items to over 450 communities and organizations, reaching remote and fly-in communities
  • Maintained an average 10-day delivery timeframe, despite national supply chain disruptions

Background

• ISC maintains a PPE stockpile to support health service delivery in First Nations communities, particularly where ISC employs staff.
• The stockpile is designed to address emergency surges, protect health workers from communicable disease exposure, and ensure continuity of care during outbreaks.
• Funding during COVID-19 pandemic supported ISC to manage an increased PPE stockpile, and increased requests from communities:
  • Fiscal Year 2020/21: $4,187,389.10
  • Fiscal Year 2021/22: $3,391,574.29
  • Fiscal Year 2022/23: $2,591,429.23

Current Status

• PPE demand has declined since 2022 but emergency surges persist.
• The stockpile currently supports ISC-employed staff and communities experiencing public health emergencies, with procurement guided by Public Services and Procurement Canada's standing offers.
• Work is underway to strengthen the disposal, donation, and rotation strategies to minimize expired supplies in PPE stockpile.

Key Messages

• We continue to face a national nursing shortage across the country, impacting health service provision across health systems in Canada, including on-reserve services provided or funded by Indigenous Services Canada. In addition, challenges persists for the recruitment and retention of nurses in remote and isolated communities given the demanding nature of the work and the diverse skill set required, unparalleled in any other nursing environments.
• To respond to these challenges, ISC has developed and is implementing a Nursing Health Human Resources Framework aimed at improving recruitment and retention. As actions linked to this framework, ISC has implemented interprofessional teams, introducing nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses and paramedics to the team, streamlined recruitment, as well as implemented a Nursing Services Response Centre, and have improved the compensation package offered to the frontline health workforce.
• As of October 31, 2025, ISC has an operational registered nurse vacancy of 28% which is supplemented with other health professionals, such as paramedics.
• ISC is committed to working with First Nations leadership, provincial government officials and other partners to find solutions to the ongoing health human resource challenge to ensure that high-quality, culturally safe, accessible, and effective health services are provided in remote and isolated Indigenous communities.

Background

• Indigenous Services Canada supports primary health care services in 79 remote and isolated First Nations communities, and two hospitals in Manitoba. Of these communities, Indigenous Services Canada directly delivers primary health care services in 50 remote and isolated communities in four regions (Alberta (4), Manitoba (21), Ontario (24) and Quebec (1)).
• Exacerbated by the pandemic, the country is experiencing a national nursing shortage overall. Statistics Canada's Job Vacancy Report for the 2nd quarter of 2025 demonstrates the ongoing nursing HHR challenges faced by Canada (The Daily — Job vacancies, second quarter 2025). Despite a decline in 2025 compared to previous years, job vacancies in health occupations remained significantly above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels (68,900 in Q2 of 2025 vs 39,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019). Registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates and licensed practical nurses make up 61.2% of the total vacancies in health in the second quarter (not seasonally adjusted).
• Significant investments totalling $485.8M through Budgets 2021, 2022 and 2024, are supporting the continued implementation of the ISC Nursing Health Human Resource Framework.
• The Nursing Services Response Centre was put in place with funding from Budget 2022 to respond to compensation, Information Technology and security challenges regularly faced by the frontline nurses and known to impact their retention. Since implementation of this Response Centre, frontline nurses have indicated their satisfaction with the service through the Nursing Workforce Survey (Report).
• The Department has implemented Field Safety Officers that do regular site inspections, create action plans, and follow up on the action plans to satisfy maintenance requirements. Budget 2024 included $91.3M to fund repairs and maintenance of identified occupational health and safety issues.

Current Status

• The ISC Nursing Health Human Resources Framework was updated in 2025 to ensure its continuing relevance. The implementation of this Framework is supported by investments in Budget 2021 ($354M), Budget 2022 ($40.5M) and Budget 2024 ($91.3M).
• The newly negotiated PIPSC collective agreement that impacts registered nurses and nurse practitioners was implemented in May 2025 and is expected to positively impact retention.
• As a result of the recruitment advances made to date, ISC has improved recruitment by 221%. In 2022-23, ISC hired 57 nurses compared to 183 in 2024-25.
• Currently, 21% of registered nurses/nurse practitioners working for ISC and 59% of ISC's licensed practical nurses are Indigenous. As a result of the recruitment advances made to date, ISC has improved recruitment by 221%; we hired 57 nurses in 2022-23 compared to 183 in 2024-25.
• Funded through Budget 2024, in July 2025, $25.5M was distributed to support the introduction of 24/7 security personnel in 79 remote and isolated communities where ISC employs and supports the delivery of healthcare. ISC regional offices are working diligently to prepare communication packages, advise First Nation partners of the funding, its parameters, and reporting requirements.
• Also supported through Budget 2024, ISC has invested $725K in 2025-26 and an additional $425K in 2026-27 for repairs and maintenance of nursing stations and health professional accommodations to respond to identified and prioritized security and occupational health and safety concerns and improve frontline retention.

Key Messages

• The Department recognizes the importance of improved oral health for Indigenous communities; progress has been made on the 6 recommendations related to oral health services.
• ISC's Community Oral Health Services continue to provide access to culturally appropriate oral health services to First Nations and Inuit. Currently, ISC services are supporting access to oral health services in 331 communities.
• ISC supports safe provision of oral health services, by employing a skilled and competent oral health work force and equipping them with oral health services procedure protocols and calibration training for the collection of oral health surveillance data.
• ISC remains committed to the reporting, collection, and analysis of high-quality data obtained through the COHS program, and will continue to work towards improving data quality and accuracy, and create a comprehensive evidence base to inform the management of the COHS program.

Background

• ISC continues to support direct access to preventative and treatment oral health care to individuals residing in First Nations and Inuit communities through the Children's Oral Health Initiative (COHI) since 2004. This initiative evolved to Community Oral Health Services (COHS) in 2019 with an expanded focus on children aged 0-7 years, their parents/caregivers and pregnant woman.
• The Department supports delivery of oral health services in 331 First Nations communities; this includes 31 communities where services are directly provided by ISC employees.
• Through the COHS program, oral health services are delivered primarily by dental hygienists and dental therapists. Trained community members known as COHS Aides are also involved in service delivery within communities.
• The core COHS suite of services includes diagnostic services, including oral health surveillance, and primary and secondary prevention. Services are provided in collaboration with other professionals within communities, such as nurses, teachers and health directors to promote the importance of oral health as integral to holistic health.

Current Status

• ISC is in the process of conducting a comprehensive review and update of COHS procedural protocols for primary and secondary prevention to ensure alignment with current best practices and effective community-level implementation.
• ISC is currently working towards developing policies and procedures to ensure client and provider safety in relation to protocols and practice guidelines.
• Additionally, ISC conducts annual training of oral health providers on dental public health data collection.
• ISC conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of program impacts every five years which informs ISC's national oral health report.

Key Messages

• ISC collects oral health data through the Community Oral Health Services (COHS) program to serve as legal documentation for oral health screening, clinical care, as well as for program reporting and evaluation. ISC remains committed to improving data collection, analysis and reporting that is being done through the COHS program.
• ISC has successfully utilized these data to assess epidemiological trends in oral health, service utilization rates and impact of the program in its first ever National Oral Health report.
• The report showed that both access to and utilization of COHS services had risen steadily from 12,000 to 16,000 clients over time, with a high utilization rate of primary preventive services and relatively lower levels of unmet oral health needs. This report will be completed on an on-going basis every 5 years to inform program enhancements.
• ISC remains committed to the reporting, collection, and analysis of high-quality data obtained through the Community Oral Health Services (COHS) program, and will continue to work towards improving data quality and accuracy, and create a comprehensive evidence base to inform the management of the COHS program.

Background

• As part of its Data Improvement Strategy, and in line with the OAG Audit findings, the COHS program completed a number of activities:
  • Improvements and enhancements to its data collection forms to maximize collection of oral health outcomes and service data utilization and facilitate appropriate analyses.
  • Improvements to the national dental database to facilitate safe and smooth transfer and housing of COHS program data.
  • Creation of didactic and clinical calibration protocols to minimize errors in data collection.
  • Creation of COHS program objectives and indicators.
  • Creation of COHS data quality assurance protocol to ensure timely regional data entry.
• The COHS program completed an internal analysis of oral health data from 2007-2020, in its National Oral Health Report in 2023. The report showed that both access to and utilization of COHS services had risen steadily from 12,000 to 16,000 clients over time, with a high utilization rate of primary preventive services and relatively lower levels of unmet oral health needs.

Current Status

• Data improvement is an on-going cyclical process under COHS program, this ongoing process will entail improvements in data collection and data housing processes as and when required.
• ISC will continue the Didactic training on oral health data entry and data collection on an annual basis. This also includes clinical calibration training on a bi-annual basis.
• ISC will create Community Oral Health services dashboards to provide a cross-sectional snapshot of oral health status and service utilization.
• Department will implement annual data quality assurance protocol and strives to compile and create the next iteration of the COHS National Oral Health Report that will be shared with national Indigenous partners.

Key Messages

• ISC's NIHB program is considered one of the most comprehensive public health programs in Canada providing registered First Nations and recognized Inuit with coverage for health benefits, including a broad range of eligible dental services such as:
  • diagnostic, preventive, restorative, endodontic, periodontal, removable prosthodontics, oral surgery, adjunctive and orthodontics.
• The NIHB program is universal, covering all eligible First Nations and Inuit clients regardless of age, income, location or other proxy measures of socio-economic need.
• The NIHB Program does not directly deliver clinical care/services to its target populationas the NIHB dental benefit is predominantly a fee for service sector (private practice model), where clients have the autonomy to choose their provider.
• The department has built and maintains relationships with First Nations and Inuit partners and national dental organizations to provide information for oral health services covered for First Nations and Inuit.

Background

• The NIHB program also provides coverage for medical transportation benefits, to assist eligible clients to access health services, including dental, that are not available on reserve or in their community of residence.
• NIHB collects the information required for the processing and payment of claims, referred to as administrative data and does not collect surveillance or population level data.
• Dental policies are evidence-informed and consistent with NIHB's mandate of providing medically necessary dental benefits.
• ISC's NIHB program has a comprehensive and ongoing plan in place for engaging with dental providers to promote and create awareness of the program; this includes bilateral tables and direct link to communication sharing partnerships.

Current Status

• As recognized by the OAG, the department has enhanced the management of the NIHB benefits by clarifying the scope of its pre-approval and appeal service standards .
• In addition, NIHB improved the reliability of specific data by integrating it into the main dental benefit processing system which increased control to reduce data entry errors.
• The NIHB program understands the OAG recommendation to clarify the process for making changes to its list of oral health services and the importance of updating clients and providers and has advanced work in this area to update and create:
  • process maps,
  • governance structures, and
  • communications and engagement plans.
• ISC has taken initial steps to address the OAG's recommendation and updated its relevant policy documentation and process maps to be more detailed
• In addition, NIHB actively engages in bilateral meetings with the national provider associations including the Canadian Dental Association, the Denturist Association of Canada and the Canadian Hygienist Association, allowing the provider groups to hear about any updates to the NIHB dental benefit via these tables in addition to the established communication pathways.
• NIHB plans presentations at educational institutions, holds webinars, attends dental conferences and has partnerships with specific dental associations to publish articles in their respective dental magazines (e.g., the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario) which increase awareness, encourage provider participation and inform on changes to the program.
• NIHB develops client newsletter updates, created the NIHB Dental Client Quick Reference Sheet and developed regional trifold brochures for increased awareness and to inform on changes to the NIHB program's dental benefit.
• ISC understands that the impact of these programs on the oral health of First Nations and Inuit is important.
• ISC will engage with Health Canada, the Office of the Chief Dental officer of Canada and Statistics Canada to explore the possibility of developing a national oral health data strategy, that will be representative of the whole Canadian population (including First Nations and Inuit Canadians).
• Additionally, ISC will explore the possibility of reporting the utilization of oral health services at the departmental level and will engage the National Oral Health Advisory Committee (NOHAC) for an update to their 2017 recommendations pertaining to ISC's data.

Key Messages

• Since the 2022 audit, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has implemented measures to strengthen preparedness, coordination, response and accountability in emergency management services supporting First Nations.
• Through a Management Response Action Plan co-developed with First Nations partners, ISC has committed to advancing risk-based planning, capacity development, and is developing new multilateral emergency management agreements that place First Nations as full and equal partners in emergency management planning, response, and recovery.
• First Nations communities across the country can be assured that measures are in place to support their communities in the event of an emergency.

Background

• ISC has worked in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations to co-lead a national First Nations Emergency Management Steering Committee, composed of First Nations emergency management experts and practitioners, to guide and inform the implementation of all seven-emergency management–related recommendations in the 2022 Audit.
• Through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, ISC also funds non-structural mitigation programs such as FireSmart and community preparedness training, and over 300 Emergency Management Coordinator positions.
• ISC maintains bilateral emergency management and wildfire service agreements with provinces, territories, and service delivery partners to support First Nations on reserve.
• The October 21, 2025, report by the Auditor General evaluated whether ISC made satisfactory progress in implementing actions to address the seven recommendations in the 2022 audit.
• Three of the seven recommendations were deemed to have "unsatisfactory" progress with four of the seven evaluated as having "satisfactory" progress.

Current Status

• ISC has undertaken multiple and concrete lessons learned exercises across the country led by First Nations as well as ISC's own annual reviews. These have resulted in tangible program improvements since 2023–24, such as streamlined financial processes.
• It would be counterproductive to negotiate bilateral agreements with provinces and territories at the same time as pursuing multilateral ones, as that could impede progress, duplicate efforts, and send mixed messages to partners.
• ISC has made meaningful and measurable progress through the co-development of governance structures across jurisdictions—an essential step toward multilateral emergency management agreements.
• ISC has developed 14 new performance indicators aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to better measure progress in emergency management and resilience outcomes in collaboration with an Assembly of First Nations/ISC co-chaired First Nations Steering Committee. These results are publicly available on ISC's website.
• Further more, and based on recommendations from the joint ISC-Assembly of First Nations Steering Committee, and respecting self-determined direction from First Nation partners, comparability with non-Indigenous communities will be addressed by supporting First Nations partners self -determination to develop their own emergency management service standards in conjunction with the co-development and implementation of multilateral emergency management agreements.
• While this work progresses, ISC has published interim service standards on its website.

Key Messages

• Addressing socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in areas such as income, employment, education, housing, foster care, and incarceration is crucial for reconciliation.
• Indigenous governments require tailored, sustainable supports to build Indigenous-led data capacity for effective service delivery and outcome-based reporting to citizens.
• ISC is accountable to Indigenous people and all Canadians for working collaboratively to improve well-being in Indigenous communities. ISC is also committed to shifting from government-prescribed reporting to Indigenous-led, outcome-based reporting, supporting Indigenous communities in delivering effective services, telling their own stories, and realizing their visions for self-determination.
• ISC has made progress on measuring socio-economic gaps, particularly in education, by improving how data it is collected, used, and shared to support better decisions and outcomes.

Background

• Indigenous Peoples in Canada face significant and long-standing socioeconomic gaps when compared to non-Indigenous people. These gaps have been shaped by a long history of colonialism, discrimination, and marginalization, which have had a profound impact on Indigenous peoples and continue to affect their lives today.
• Socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples have typically been measured by comparing various socio-economic indicators, such as employment rates, average income, poverty rates, housing quality, etc., between groups. In the last two years, the Department used data from the Census and the Community Well-Being Index to assess these gaps (see Compendium). These sources are updated every five years, with the next cycle scheduled in 2026.

Current Status

Key Messages

• First Nations are committed to accountability and good governance, and are driving the development of First Nations-led data capacity for effective service delivery and outcome-based reporting to citizens.
• The National Outcome-Based Framework was proposed in 2016 as a concept that could support First Nations-led reporting on socio-economic outcomes. Informed by engagement with First Nations leaders and technical experts, going forward this objective will instead be advanced through initiatives such as the First Nations-led Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan Shared Priority 30, which focus on building Indigenous-led data institutions and capacity to support accountability for outcomes and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
• The auditor general, as part of assessing the progress on "working with First Nations to establish a framework to measure and report on socio-economic gaps" in the 2025 Report to the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada on the "Follow-up on Programs for First Nations", examined the work on the National Outcome-Based Framework, and deemed it satisfactory. Further, Indigenous Services Canada's 2025 Report to Parliament provides a detailed update on the measurement of socio-economic gaps, including the completion of the National Outcome-Based Framework initiative.

Background

• What is the National Outcome-Based Framework?
  • The National Outcome-Based Framework is a set of adaptable resources designed to help First Nations governments lead their own outcome-based reporting. These resources can be used by First Nations to measure and report on their community's well-being and success based on their own priorities and ways of knowing and doing.
• What was the purpose of engaging with First Nations and data experts on this work?
  • A 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Assembly of First Nations and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada called for the design of a new fiscal relationship that moves toward sufficient, predictable, and sustained funding for First Nations, including jointly producing "options for closing existing socio-economic gaps, including appropriate metrics and performance indicators".
  • Responding to these requests, and with the endorsement of the Assembly of First Nations, since 2019, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has been working with First Nations citizens, data experts, leaders, and organizations to explore approaches that address First Nations-led reporting on socio-economic outcomes.
  • Three streams of engagement were supported to discuss the concept of a national outcome-based framework and to gather the input of First Nations leaders, subject-matter experts, and other stakeholders.
  • The engagement sessions found that development of an outcomes framework should be driven by First Nations governments themselves, in alignment with efforts to build First Nations-led data governance capacity to support accountability for outcomes, including the Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data.
• What is the Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data (TAID)?
  • Launched in 2022, TAID's purpose is to support the development of Indigenous-led and distinctions-based data capacity, which will empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to gather the data they need to support their governance functions in areas including education, child and family services, and socio-economic well-being.
• What is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan Shared Priority 30?
  • This priority recognizes that Indigenous peoples have the right to govern the collection, ownership, and application of data about their communities, lands, and resources, consistent with their laws, values, and governance systems.

Current Status

• Following five years of engagement and collaboration on a National Outcome-Based Framework, a series of reports summarizing the findings were completed in February 2025, translated, and shared with the First Nations Information Governance Centre for dissemination to partners. The reports included: engagement reports from national program areas, technical experts, and First Nations leaders – which concluded that First Nations should be leading this work; and a report on First Nations Wellness Frameworks - to support the creation of First Nations-led frameworks. Work on the National Outcome-Based Framework is therefore considered complete.
• First Nations require sustained capacity supports to lead outcome-based reporting, including the ability to plan, define and report on priorities. This work is now being advanced and supported through recent developments in the Indigenous data landscape, including the First Nations-led Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan Shared Priority 30, to focus on Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
• This shift from government prescribed reporting to First Nations-led outcome-based reporting is a step toward a transformed relationship with First Nations communities supporting them in delivering effective services to their peoples, telling their own stories, participating in federal decision-making processes on matters that impact them as equal partners, and realizing their respective visions for self-determination.

Key Messages

• Under the Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data ISC has provided the First Nations Information Governance Centre with $71 million to build First Nations capacity to collect and manage data needed to measure socio-economic well-being, deliver services, and govern, all while advancing their visions of data sovereignty. This work will address the Auditor General's findings that measures of socio-economic well-being were inadequate and that engagement with First Nations on how to measure well-being were lacking.
• The initiative has invested $12.9 million to improve the governance of data held by ISC and make it easier for First Nations to access, establishing the conditions necessary for better use of departmental data. This work addresses the Auditor General's finding that ISC made limited use of available data.
• The Transformational approach to Indigenous Data provided $13 million to Statistics Canada to improve the availability of Indigenous data and support capacity building with the initiatives Indigenous partners, including First Nations.

Background

• Previous attempts to close the data gaps affecting Indigenous Peoples were primarily government-led and struggled to build the necessary relationships and consensus with Indigenous governments. This resulted in solutions that were misaligned with Indigenous partners' priorities, which are diverse both within and across distinctions.
• Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data is different from previous models because it promotes a partner-led approach. It was first supported by $81.5 million announced in Budget 2021 (2022-23 to 2024-2025). While it secured an additional $26.4 million in 2025 to sustain its activities throughout the current fiscal year (2025-2026), it is expected that multiple rounds of funding will be required for the establishment of Indigenous-led statistical institutions and/or functions.
• TAID comprises several work streams.
  • Stream 1 is led by ISC and aims to improve data sharing with Indigenous partners as a first step towards the transfer of ISC's data assets along with service delivery responsibilities.
  • Stream 2 is led by the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) and its regional partners and aims to implement the First Nations-led network of national and regional information governance centres that was envisioned in the 2020 First Nations Data Governance Strategy. Under that stream, FNIGC already established a national data champion team supported by 10 regional data champion teams.
  • Stream 3 is led by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. It aims to develop an Inuit Data Strategy identifying long-term data and data capacity needs as well as plan activities to implement the Strategy. This work aligns with, and supports, the Inuit Nunangat Policy while also building upon ITK's 2018 National Inuit Strategy on Research and, more specifically, Priority #4, which relates to "Inuit access, ownership, and control over data and information."
  • Stream 4 is led by the signatories to the Canada-Métis Nation Accord. It aims to develop Métis Nation data strategies and plan activities to implement the strategies.
• Statistics Canada was funded under Budget 2021 to support Indigenous Delivery Partners in building Indigenous data capacity and improve the visibility of Indigenous Peoples in Canada's national statistics, as a fifth stream; however, its funding was not renewed under this funding envelope.

Current Status

• ISC is currently administering over 40 Information Sharing Agreements, including 20 involving Indigenous partners, in high-priority areas including Child and Family Services. It is also leading an engagement on its upcoming Policy on External Data Sharing with Indigenous organizations and governments across distinctions. A draft What We Heard Report and draft Policy will be shared with engagement participants to gather additional input. Finally, ISC continues to work with partners as they complete their deliverables through regular bilateral functions.
• The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) is finalizing an initial implementation blueprint for the future, First Nations-led network of national and regional information governance centres. It is also developing workplans for demonstration projects to be funded through additional investments. The purpose of these projects will be to showcase the value of planned statistical functions to both First Nations and the federal government. These projects will also ensure that the final implementation blueprint is feasible and accurately costed.
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the signatories to the Canada-Métis Nation Accord are finalizing their data strategies, which are all expected before the end of the current fiscal year (2025-2026). They are also developing workplans for future demonstration projects.

Key Messages

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) acknowledges the recommendations from the Fall 2025 Follow-up on Programs for First Nations, tabled on October 21, 2025. This is an opportunity to highlight the important issue of safe drinking water in First Nation communities.
• As of December 9, 2025, 149 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted, since November 2015, from public systems on reserve improving access to clean drinking water for over 9,200 homes and 655 community buildings. This represents an increase of 53 long-term drinking water advisories lifted since the November 1, 2020 OAG audit. 95% of First Nations systems are not affected by a long-term advisory.
• 97.5% of First Nations drinking water systems meet prescribed standards in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, compared to only 74% of First Nations systems in 2014-2015.
• The percentage of high-risk water systems has decreased from 16% in 2015-16, to 8% in 2023-24, which is indicative of an overall improvement in reliable and sustainable water infrastructure.
• The latest OAG's report indicates unsatisfactory progress on all five recommendations. ISC is committed to moving forward with First Nations by working on the following actions:
  1. Invest a minimum of $749 million per year towards supporting First Nations water and wastewater on reserves with renewed funding for the First Nations Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program (recommendation 3.40).
     • This will ensure that over 800 ongoing infrastructure projects for water and wastewater can continue uninterrupted.
     • Funding will help implement projects addressing long-term needs of communities affected by long term drinking water advisories (LT DWAs) – supporting projects that address long-term drinking water advisories while helping to prevent short-term drinking water advisories from becoming long-term.
  2. Invest a minimum of $24 million annually towards First Nations capacity initiatives (recommendations 3.40 and 3.54).
     • These investments will help support capacity initiatives, such as the Circuit Rider Training Program, to support training of water operators on reserves.
     • This will help to address the 18 currently active long-term drinking water advisories that remain in place due to operational concerns rather than infrastructure deficiencies.
  3. Ensure that all communities have either a Community-Based Water Monitor or an Environmental Public Health Officer (recommendation 3.61).
     • This will ensure that all communities have water quality monitoring in place at tap to monitor bacterial parameters across all public systems.
  4. Streamlining and communicating asset condition assessments, annual performance inspections, and information on O&M funding, to First Nations (recommendations 3.61 and 3.77).
     • Ensuring that comprehensive, streamlined data on asset deficiencies is communicated effectively to First Nations will help support their development of their First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans that best suit their communities' needs.
     • To help support First Nations in their allocation decisions, ISC will continue to provide national O&M packages (first provided in 2025-26) that provide First Nations with a detailed breakdown of their O&M funding, refining them over time.
  5. Ensuring that First Nations are supported to meet national standards for water quality for their public systems (recommendation 3.90).
     • This will support continued improvement of water quality produced by public water systems on reserve and, in the absence of a regulatory regime, ensure that a consistent standard for water quality is supported across all First Nations in Canada.
     • As of 2023-24, 97.5% of water systems on reserves meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Background

• The follow-up report in Fall 2025 found that progress on implementing the five recommendations from the 2021 Audit of Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations communities has been unsatisfactory. These recommendations are:
  • 3.40: ISC should work with First Nations communities to strengthen efforts to eliminate all long-term drinking water advisories and prevent new ones from occurring
  • 3.54: ISC should work with First Nations communities to implement long-term solutions
  • 3.61: ISC should work with First Nations to proactively identify and address underlying deficiencies in water systems to prevent recurring advisories
  • 3.77: ISC, in consultation with First Nations, should make it a priority to identify the amount of funding needed by First Nations to operate and maintain drinking water infrastructure and amend the existing policy and funding formula
  • 3.90: ISC, in consultation with First Nations, should develop and implement a regulatory regime for safe drinking water in First Nations communities
• Key findings included:
  • Although the number of LT DWAs has declined, 35 advisories remained as of April 1, 2025.
  • Long-term solutions were identified for 34 of the 35 LT DWAs; however, of the 9 LT DWAs that were in place for a decade or more, 8 did not have a target date for when the identified long-term solution would be implemented.
  • Recurring LT DWAs continued to be an ongoing issue. The 2021 audit identified 5 recurring long-term drinking water advisories over a 5-year period. Between November 1, 2020, and April 1, 2025, there were 9 recurring long-term drinking water advisories.
  • While ISC's O&M policy was updated to cover 100% of the calculated costs as determined by the funding formula, the funding formula was not amended to consider the state of drinking water systems.
  • First Nation communities do not have legally enforceable safe drinking water protections similar to what is in place in provinces and territories. Bill C-61 was introduced, but progress ended due to prorogation of Parliament, an event outside of ISC's control. In the absence of legislation, the department could not develop a regulatory regime.

Current Status

• The Government of Canada will continue to work with rights holders and First Nation organizations on access to safe drinking water now and for future generations, including supporting the gradual transfer of departmental responsibilities to First Nations.
• Budget 2025 announced $2.3 billion over three years, starting in 2026-27, to renew the First Nations Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program.
• As of November 24, 2025, 38 long-term drinking water advisories remain in effect in 36 communities. All of these have long-term action plans in place to address the advisory.
• ISC has taken measures to monitor, assess, prevent, mitigate, and respond to risks as needed. First Nations, particularly in remote locations, face supply issues, limited contractor availability, and market saturation which delay implementation.
• In July 2025, the Minister of Indigenous Services committed to introducing legislation that will affirm a human right to clean drinking water on First Nation lands.
• ISC is preparing a new action plan to address the concerns raised in the Auditor General's follow-up report, expected to be finalized by winter 2026-27.

If pressed on Size of Operating Funds

• Of the $4.19B in Operating funds, $2.95B, 12% of total Main Estimates represent funds used for direct services such as the delivery of health services and the operations of federal schools to First Nations and Inuit.
• Only $0.61B,3% of Main Estimates is earmarked for Program management and delivery.
• Only $0.36B, 1% of Main Estimates accounts for internal services, such as human resources, financial management, information management and technology, legal services, communication and accommodations.
• $0.25B,1% of Main Estimates, is reserved in a fund for the multi-year administration and legal costs related to the 2023 Final Settlement Agreement to compensate First Nations children and families.

Background

• 2025 – 26 Main Estimates - $25,321 million
• 96% of resources are used to support or deliver services to Indigenous peoples.
• 83% through transfer payments to fund services delivered by First Nations community governments, Tribal Councils, health authority, etc.
• Most funds are for basic provincial/municipal type services to individuals on reserve.
• The federal government is committed to providing services on reserves comparable to those typically provided by the provinces.
• Provincial standards guide program delivery leading to variability across regions.
• Various funding mechanisms are used to allow for greater flexibility for the recipients, including the New Fiscal Relationship grant which commits funding over ten-year period.
• 12% through operating to fund health-related goods and services not insured by provinces and territories or other private insurance plans. The department also employs nurses, health professionals and teachers to directly provide various health and education services.
• 1% through operating is for administration and legal costs related to the compensation for First Nations Children and Families
• 4% of resources are used for Program Management and Delivery (approximately 3%) and Administrative Overhead (1%).

Key Messages

• Indigenous Services Canada supports First Nations partners who receive Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care funding through contribution agreements with ISC. Currently, approximately 60% of First Nations communities receive their IELCC funding through ISC.
• The Department remains committed to the implementation of Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care and implementing co-developed results frameworks as they are finalized.

Background

• The Horizontal Initiative aims to support the implementation of the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, which was jointly released by the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council and the Government of Canada in 2018.
• The Framework sets out a shared vision, principles, and a path forward towards high-quality, culturally strong and self-determined Early Learning and Child Care.
• The Initiative is delivered through a Partnership Model between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. Under this model, Indigenous leadership are at the forefront of decision-making on funding allocations, work plans, and priorities for culturally based Early Learning and Child Care programming across Canada. Employment and Social Development Canada as the lead department, collaborates with its federal partners, Indigenous Services Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) to coordinate the delivery of investments in Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care in alignment with Indigenous leadership direction.
• Most First Nations direct their Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care allocations to support existing programs such as ISC's Aboriginal Head-Start On-Reserve program, or daycares initially established through ESDC programming.
• As part of the horizontal initiative, the Government of Canada committed to the co-development of distinctions-based results frameworks with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation partners. Since 2022, significant work has been undertaken to advance these co-development processes in partnership with Indigenous partners, rather than imposing federal requirements.
• Until co-developed results frameworks are implemented, Canada continues to report on eight interim indicators for the pre-existing programs.

Current Status

• On October 21, 2025 the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of Canada tabled its Performance Audit Report on Early Learning and Child Care in the House of Commons.
• The scope of the audit was to determine whether the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada fulfilled its responsibilities to support on Early Learning and Child Care across Canada for the period of April 2021 to March 2025. Other government departments were not scoped in. Further, the audit focuses primarily on the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system, with Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care being a secondary focus. To the extent that Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care was considered, the scope of the audit was limited to Employment and Social Development Canada's Secretariat.
• With respect to Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, the report recommends that Employment and Social Development Canada continue to work with Indigenous partners on a co-developed performance measurement plan to report on outcomes for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.
• ISC remains committed to the implementation of Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care including supporting Employment and Social Development Canada to co-develop results frameworks with Indigenous partners, seeking to collect comparable performance information from provinces and territories, and report annually to Canadians in line with its obligations under the Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act.

INAN biographies