Canada opens talks on a First Nations project fund and expands community support

Nearly 200 First Nations Chiefs and leaders met with the Prime Minister and provincial and territorial premiers to discuss economic opportunities, community safety and other priorities.

Project partnerships and jobs

• The federal government will work with First Nations leaders to assess a possible First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund and plans to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to expand the First Nations Finance Authority’s lending authority.
• It announced $260 million over four years for a fund to connect Indigenous people with jobs created by major projects. An Indigenous-focused stream of the $8 billion Team Canada Strong initiative is also in development.

Emergency response and community safety

• More than $2.5 billion over five years, plus nearly $450 million in ongoing funding, will support emergency preparedness and fire protection in First Nations communities.
• More than $630 million over four years, plus $250 million in ongoing annual funding, will renew and expand First Nations and Inuit policing agreements. Another $140 million over four years will support crime prevention and community safety initiatives.

Leaders also discussed a path beyond the Indian Act. The government highlighted investments in education, housing, health services and water and wastewater infrastructure, including more than $4.5 billion for First Nations clean water infrastructure and implementation of the First Nations Clean Water Act.