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.
- In November 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement after 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.
- In May 2017, the Government of Canada and Inuit elected representatives met to pursue their shared commitment to renew the Inuit-Crown relationship.
- In September 2017, Inuit leaders and federal cabinet ministers met to further pursue outcomes for Inuit as part of the 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.
- 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.
- In April 2019, the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee released the National Inuit Housing Strategy and set priorities for third year.
- In March 2020, the Prime Minister participated in the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee meeting to review progress made since the committee was formed.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.