New permanent bilateral mechanisms

The Government of Canada has established permanent bilateral mechanisms with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation leaders to identify joint priorities, co-develop policy and monitor progress.

These new mechanisms were announced in December 2016, as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Budget 2017 invested $13.7 million over 2 years to support these new permanent bilateral mechanisms. Budget 2018 is investing $74.9 million over 5 years.

Government of Canada and First Nations bilateral mechanism

• In June 2017, the Prime Minister and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on shared priorities and discussed next steps in the permanent bilateral mechanism.
  • The Prime Minister and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations sign the Memorandum of Understanding on shared priorities

• In November 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement after meeting with Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations.
  • Statement by the Prime Minister on meeting with Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations

Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee

• In February 2017, the Prime Minister and the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami met and signed a declaration announcing the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.
  • Prime Minister of Canada and President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami announce the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee

• In May 2017, the Government of Canada and Inuit elected representatives met to pursue their shared commitment to renew the Inuit-Crown relationship.
  • Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee advances agenda

• In September 2017, Inuit leaders and federal cabinet ministers met to further pursue outcomes for Inuit as part of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.
  • Inuit leaders from across Inuit Nunangat and five federal cabinet ministers continued work of Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee

• In March 2018, the Prime Minister participated in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting to review progress made since the committee was formed.
  • Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee makes progress on shared priorities

• In June 2018, Inuit leaders and federal cabinet ministers met to advance the second year priorities of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee by discussing concrete actions to support the unique social, cultural, economic and environmental realities of Inuit in Canada.
  • Advancing the second year priorities of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee
• In April 2019, the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee released the National Inuit Housing Strategy and set priorities for third year.
  • Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee releases national Inuit housing strategy and continues progress on shared priorities
  • Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy
• In March 2020, the Prime Minister participated in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting to review progress made since the committee was formed.
  • Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee continues progress on shared priorities
• In April 2021, the Prime Minister participated in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting to review progress and address the socio-economic inequity that makes Inuit Nunangat communities uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.
  • Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee continues progress on shared priorities to support Inuit self-determination and address socio-economic inequity in Inuit Nunangat
• In April 2022, the Prime Minister joined President Natan Obed of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, federal Cabinet ministers, and the elected Inuit leadership to endorse the new, historic Inuit Nunangat Policy.
  • Inuit Nunangat Policy
    • Version Inuktitut
    • Version Inuktut Qaliujaaqpait (PDF, 927 KB, 13 pages)

Government of Canada and Métis bilateral mechanism

• In April 2017, the Prime Minister and the President of the Métis National Council and its governing members signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord during the first Métis Nation-Crown Summit.
  • The Prime Minister of Canada and President of the Métis National Council welcome the signing of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord

• In September 2017, the President of the Métis National Council and its governing members and federal cabinet ministers issued a joint communiqué highlighting outcomes from their first ministerial-level meeting.
  • Communiqué: Canada-Métis Nation leaders meeting

• In June 2018, the Prime Minister met with the President of the Métis National Council and its governing members to review progress made during the first year of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.
  • Canada and the Métis Nation move forward on Canada-Métis Nation Accord

• In July 2018, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the President and Governing Members of the Métis National Council signed the co-developed Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord, further advancing the shared priorities identified in the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.
  • Signing of the Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord