Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's 2025-26 Departmental Plan

Assimilation policies and practices have led to the denial of Indigenous rights. To resolve grievances, Canada remains committed to pursuing dialogue, partnerships and negotiation as positive means of advancing reconciliation. This is an ongoing process which requires affirmation of rights, acknowledgement of past wrongs, understanding of the colonial history of Canada and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples to co-develop solutions.

Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations. The Government of Canada works with First Nations to resolve outstanding specific claims through negotiated settlements. Over the coming year, CIRNAC will accelerate specific claims resolution to support reconciliation with First Nations. The department is aiming to resolve at least 35 specific claims in 2025–26, making use of streamlined processes and a framework approach to agricultural benefits claims. Work will also continue with First Nations partners to co-develop and implement reforms to the specific claims process, in line with our commitment in Canada's United Nations Declaration Action Plan to bring more fairness and timeliness in the specific claims resolution process.

CIRNAC partners with the Department of Justice to manage the resolution of litigation, including negotiating settlement agreements outside of the courts or supporting litigation through the court system. This is done in accordance with the Attorney General of Canada's Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples, taking into consideration the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and contributes to the development of Indigenous jurisprudence. As per the Directive and the 10 Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples, the department will aim to resolve historic grievances and litigation through discussion and negotiated settlements rather than litigation. Recent examples of this approach include major settlement agreements with 21 Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations and Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, as well as an agreement that recognizes the Aboriginal title of the Haida Nation. Negotiations are taking place with Indigenous partners across the country to co-develop shared solutions to address the past, recognize and implement Indigenous rights, and support their visions of self-determination and a better future for their communities.

The department is also committed to resolving Indigenous childhood claims litigation outside of the courts, wherever possible. Settlements are designed to balance individual compensation with forward-looking investments to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture and commemoration. Over the course of this year, CIRNAC will work with class counsel, the Department of Justice and third party administrators to implement the McLean (Federal Indian Day Schools), Gottfriedson (Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars) and Percival (Federal Boarding Homes) settlement agreements to ensure that survivors receive compensation for the harms they suffered. Additionally, settlement negotiations regarding Hardy (Indian Hospitals) is expected to conclude.

CIRNAC will strategically manage its approach to litigation in a principled manner. Litigation related to the suite of off-reserve child welfare class action and Métis and Non-Status Sixties Scoop will proceed before the Courts in 2025-26. While the decision to litigate these claims reflects Canada's limited liability in areas of clear provincial jurisdiction, the department will continue to support survivors in the pursuit of justice.

Additions to reserves (ATR) are parcels of land added to an existing reserve land of a First Nation or that create a new reserve, in a rural or urban setting. Over the course of this year, CIRNAC will work in collaboration with Indigenous partners on options to redesign the ATR Policy and to support the timely processing of additions to reserve requests. The options for a redesigned policy will be informed through a First Nation-led engagement process and information gathered through the Call for proposals completed in 2024-25. CIRNAC is working with First Nation partners and other stakeholders through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to address short to medium term priorities related to ATR Policy redesign. The goal is to have a policy that efficiently supports First Nations' community and economic development, identity, and prosperity by adding lands to their reserve land base in a timely manner. In the coming year, the department is aiming to co-develop and validate policy options with First Nations partners as well as finalizing redesign of ATR Policy, drafting an implementation plan, developing new tools, conducting validation engagement on the new policy and tools, exploring legislative amendments, and launching a pilot project to set up a First Nation organization that would support First Nations with the ATR proposal process. CIRNAC is also working with TAC members to implement 9 interim changes to the 2016 ATR Policy Directive that were announced by the Minister in December 2024 at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly. Additionally, the department, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, is aiming to approve 70 additions to reserve and reserve creation submissions this fiscal year.

The Government of Canada has also been working towards full implementation of the 94 Calls to Action delivered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to advance reconciliation. All 94 Calls to Action aim to reduce inequality between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians and to close the socio-economic gaps by actively acknowledging and responding to the lasting impacts of residential schools at every level of Canadian society. CIRNAC will advance work on Calls to Action that fall under federal responsibility, and encourage and support provincial, territorial, and private sector institutions in their work. As mandated in Calls to Action 54 to 56, the Government of Canada will work towards advancing reconciliation by fulfilling its responsibilities to the National Council for Reconciliation (the Council), as outlined in the National Council for Reconciliation Act, which came into force on July 2, 2024. This includes supporting the Council's establishment as an independent, Indigenous-led organization, the selection of its inaugural board of directors, as well as transparently providing information to the Council and developing annual "State of Aboriginal Peoples" reports.

In 2025-26, CIRNAC will continue to implement Calls to Action 72 to 76 regarding Missing Children and Burial Information. More specifically, the department will collaborate with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to update and maintain the National Residential School Student Death Register (Call to Action 72), and develop and maintain the National Residential School Cemetery Register (Call to Action 73). This ongoing work will increase the information available to families and survivors on student deaths and burial places, accelerate the progress made to share data, and improve access to information on missing or deceased children from residential schools.

Moreover, to advance Calls to Action 74 to 76, CIRNAC will support community-led initiatives centered on the needs of survivors to locate, document, and memorialize undocumented burial sites and graves associated with the 140 residential schools included in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) and the 5 residential schools included in the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Anderson). This includes providing stable, predictable funding over 2 years to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) to ensure it can successfully fulfill its mandate. The department will also:

• support initiatives to honour families' wishes to identify and repatriate children's remains, through the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund.
• lead a whole-of-government process to identify and develop a federal approach to share documents related to Residential Schools defined under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. These documents are in addition to what has already been disclosed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In October 2024, the Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools tabled its final report. CIRNAC will review its recommendations with other federal departments and agencies to support the Department of Justice to inform the delivery and development of both current and potential future initiatives.

The development of Indigenous-led institutions and governance is an essential step towards Indigenous self-determination, a human right outlined in the United Nations Declaration (UN Declaration) on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. CIRNAC is working to put in place effective mechanisms to support the transition away from colonial systems of administration and governance through support to Indigenous Peoples to advance their governance institutions and right to participate in decision-making on issues impacting their rights through the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) and the UN Declaration Act Action Plan (2023-2028).

Moreover, the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management enables participating communities to withdraw their lands from the land management provisions of the Indian Act, and to implement First Nation governance and laws with respect to their land, resources and environment. Following a commitment in Budget 2023 of $35.3 million over 3 years to support the development of a First Nation-led land registry system, CIRNAC has been working closely with the Lands Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre to develop the First Nation Land Governance Registry. This registry will be managed and administered by a new not-for-profit First Nation organization and will be available for First Nations with operational land codes pursuant to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, as well as to any self-governing First Nation with lands designated under section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867, that chooses to use it for land registration.

In 2025-26, CIRNAC will collaborate with First Nation partners in the development of this modern solution for land management and registration. The department will take the required steps to begin implementation of the First Nation Land Governance Registry targeting an initial implementation date of 2027-28, with ongoing work over the next few years. CIRNAC will co-develop future legislative, regulatory, and Framework Agreement amendments required to advance the development of the Registry as part of the broader mandate for First Nation self-determination over their lands.

The First Nations Fiscal Management Act provides First Nations with a legislative and institutional framework through which to assert and exercise jurisdiction in the areas of financial management, taxation, and access to capital markets and more recently, respecting the provision of services and the planning, procurement, ownership, and management of infrastructure. Over the course of this year, CIRNAC will work closely with the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Finance Authority and the First Nations Infrastructure Institute to advance initiatives proposed by the 4 fiscal institutions. This includes continuing improvements to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act regime, such as the co-development of regulations to enhance access to the pooled borrowing regime for self-governing First Nations and Indigenous non-profit organizations; supporting studies and analysis to help close institutional, regulatory or capacity gaps affecting First Nations, including those related to insurance, taxation, enforcement, investment and access to capital; and exploring other opportunities to provide First Nations with the tools and supports they need to achieve economic prosperity and self-determination.

The First Nations Infrastructure Institute is an Indigenous-led initiative that aims to provide Indigenous communities and organizations with the necessary skills and processes to plan, procure, own and manage infrastructure assets on their lands. Work on the formal operationalization of the First Nations Infrastructure Institute will continue into this fiscal year. This includes supporting selection processes to appoint Directors to the Institute's board of directors. CIRNAC will also support the ramp-up of the First Nations Infrastructure Institute's operations and service delivery.

To support Indigenous groups that participate in the Indigenous Recognition of Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) table discussions, CIRNAC will continue to provide support under the Enhanced Capacity Building funding stream. This will facilitate negotiations to undertake rights and self-determination preparedness activities prior to the implementation of agreements and in accordance with co-developed work plans. It is expected that up to 10 percent of RIRSD partners will be eligible to receive Enhanced Capacity Building funding in 2025-26.

In 2025-26, CIRNAC will support 41 boards and organizations, which are institutions of public governance, committees, or other types of management bodies established under the treaties, to deliver on their mandates. Public boards and committees are responsible for much of the regulatory decisions over land, water, and the environment. CIRNAC supports these organizations as they provide important services, such as conducting preliminary screening of development proposals, environmental impact assessment and impact review, and the issuance of water licenses and land use permits. These organizations, combined with modern treaties, self-government and sectoral agreements, enable Indigenous Peoples to plan, arbitrate, and manage land, water, wildlife, renewable resources, and other resources across the country.

Furthermore, CIRNAC will work on the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process, a whole-of-government initiative involving 26 self-governing Indigenous governments, to co-develop expenditure need methodologies and approaches as set out in Canada's Collaborative Self-government Fiscal Policy. In 2025-26, the department and self-governing Indigenous governments will jointly establish plans and priorities for further co-development work and associated research. CIRNAC will also work with the 4 federally recognized Métis partners to co-develop an adaptation of the Policy to meet the needs of Métis through a Métis context, which will further support the advancement of Métis self-government.

Finally, the department will advance its work on a strategic approach for reforming First Nation citizenship and membership, as part of transitioning away from the Indian Act and leading towards increased self-determination for First Nations. In 2025-26, CIRNAC will work on planning a broad consultation process in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan Measure 2.9 to consult First Nations and other impacted Indigenous groups to support the co-development of opt-in alternatives to Indian Act registration and membership (First Nation citizenship) with a goal to begin consultation in 2026-27.

The Government of Canada is committed to renewing relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on the affirmation and implementation of their inherent right to self-determination, including the right to self-government. This will allow Indigenous Peoples to determine their political, economic, social and cultural development.

Over the course of this year, CIRNAC will advance bilateral relationships with national Indigenous organizations. This includes through each of the Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms (PBMs), established with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders as a space to identify joint priorities, co-develop policies, and monitor progress. CIRNAC intends to continue regular meetings of the PBMs for 2025–26, while being mindful that this may change to respect Indigenous organizations evolving governance arrangements.

The department will collaborate with national Indigenous women's organizations to implement whole-of-government relationship agreements and advance shared priorities. This fiscal year, CIRNAC intends to collaborate closely with its partners to evaluate the effectiveness of existing agreements. This evaluation will focus on identifying successes and challenges, as well as determining potential future priorities. The goal is to ensure that these agreements continue to promote the empowerment and well-being of Indigenous women, strengthen relationships with communities, and adapt to evolving needs and goals.

The Canada-Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) Political Accord aims to build a renewed relationship, improve Indigenous socio-economic conditions, and reduce disparities between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous Canadians. Federal officials are expected to continue to meet and advance action items identified in work plans for 2025-26.

During this fiscal year, to support families and survivors, CIRNAC is planning to hold the third annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, which will bring together Indigenous leaders, partners and other governments to advance work on the Calls for Justice. Following the release of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan in 2021 to end systemic racism and violence, and the federal government's contribution to this action plan, namely the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, the federal government reports on progress through the Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report published annually. The 2024-25 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report will be published on June 3, 2025, alongside a new online reporting tool highlighting progress on the Calls for Justice.

Work will continue to advance Call for Justice 1.7 (Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson), including the review and consideration of the Minister's Special Representative's recommendations from her Call for Justice 1.7 Final Report.

Additionally, some multi-year projects will be funded through 2025–26 from the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, which aims to improve data methodologies specific to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Modern treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements are the foundations for transformative change that move us away from colonial systems of administration and governance. In December 2022, new financial tools were adopted that help resolve Section 35 negotiations by allowing for more flexible types of agreements and providing enriched funding for treaties, stepping stone agreements, and other constructive arrangements. Over the course of this year, the department will advance innovative approaches to rights-based discussions. Currently, the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination approach is under review to improve internal processes and make them more efficient to maximize positive relations with partners, while ensuring fiscal sustainability.

Furthermore, in 2025-26, CIRNAC will work with partners to ensure meaningful implementation of 27 modern treaties, 3 stand-alone self-government arrangements and 9 sectoral education agreements. This will be achieved, in part, by maintaining a responsive relationship with Modern Treaty and Self-Government Partners, providing efficient funding management, and continuing to support Indigenous-led processes for rebuilding and reconstituting their historic nations, advancing self-determination and transitioning away from the Indian Act. The department will aim to ensure that all public government institutions and modern treaty partners have access to stable and ongoing funding for their programs and services.

In accordance with Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy, released in 2023, CIRNAC will advance priority commitments in partnership with Indigenous Modern Treaty partners and other government departments and agencies to ensure the full and effective implementation of agreements through a whole-of-government approach, relying on new and improved tools necessary for the federal government to ensure Modern Treaties are respected and their promises upheld. The department will also provide training to federal officials in order to increase awareness of modern treaty relationships, objectives, and obligations across government, building on recent collaborations with the Canada School of Public Service with the launch of an online self-paced course: An Introduction to Modern Treaties and Self-Government. In addition, the Policy established a permanent annual Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum between Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing leadership, the Prime Minister, and key federal Ministers. The Forum, similar to a permanent bilateral mechanism, serves as the highest-level political forum for discussing implementation priorities and issues that are critical to Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Government partners and their communities. Planning for the 2025 Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum is in the early stages with Indigenous Modern Treaty and Self-Governing partners.

Building on progress made in 2024-25, Bill C-77, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, was introduced in the House of Commons on October 10, 2024. CIRNAC will support the creation of an independent oversight mechanism for the implementation of Modern Treaties, holding the federal government accountable. Ongoing engagement will take place with Indigenous Modern Treaty Partners.

The Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia supports a rights-based approach to the negotiation of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements among partners and participating Indigenous First Nations in British Columbia. This fiscal year, CIRNAC will advance the implementation of the Policy, in partnership with the other Principals to the British Columbia treaty process (the First Nations Summit and the Province of British Columbia). The parties will work in support of the development of annexes listed in Schedule A of the Policy and, through the development of a joint implementation plan, identify further opportunities to support the Policy's implementation going forward.

The Government of Canada has a duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous groups when it contemplates activities or decisions that might negatively impact Aboriginal and Treaty rights. CIRNAC will support the whole-of-government approach to consultation and accommodation through providing advice and enhanced guidance, consultation tools, training and interdepartmental coordination to help ensure the Crown meets its constitutional obligations, as well as its commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its corresponding Act. To this effect, the department will provide guidance, advice, and tools to help federal officials in undertaking meaningful consultation, accommodation, and engagement, including through supporting whole-of-government policy initiatives and advising on major project assessments nationally. In 2025-26, CIRNAC anticipates providing advice and guidance to federal officials on approximately 80 projects, including those under the Impact Assessment Act, the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, the Critical Mineral Infrastructure Fund, clean growth initiatives, and projects where the federal government is the proponent. In terms of training on the duty to consult, CIRNAC estimates 3000 federal officials will be trained this fiscal year.

Budget 2023 provided funding for CIRNAC to engage with Indigenous groups and renew the guidelines for federal officials to fulfill the Crown's duty to consult and accommodate. Renewing these guidelines in partnership with Indigenous groups is essential to adequately equip federal officials in meaningfully working with Indigenous groups through consultation, accommodation, and engagement. Consequently, multiple phases of engagement have begun, with the second phase starting in February 2025. Over the course of this year, 11 regional sessions and 3 virtual session are planned. It is hoped that attendance will exceed the first phase, where participants from 230 communities and organizations joined the conversation. New guidelines are expected to be finalized in 2026.

CIRNAC is committed to partnering with Indigenous Peoples through the co-development and negotiation of consultation protocol agreements and consultation resource centres with Indigenous groups to create a process to follow when consulting on potential adverse impacts to established or asserted Aboriginal or treaty rights. Existing funding supports the implementation of 12 consultation protocols and the co-development of 7 new protocols (representing 69 First Nation communities, 26 Métis regions or territories, and 25 self-identified Indigenous communities that assert Indigenous rights). As well, CIRNAC funds the operation of 5 consultation resource centres (serving 54 First Nation communities and 25 Métis regions or territories).

Finally, the department will ensure that Indigenous rights and interests are known to federal officials by making ongoing system enhancements and content updates to the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System (ATRIS) to facilitate the sharing of information in support of consultation of potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights holders. This includes co-developing system content and exploring the co-management of ATRIS with Indigenous partners.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous Peoples in achieving self-determination, which will lead to improved socio-economic conditions and well-being.

The Community Well-Being Index (CWI) is a method of assessing socio-economic well-being in Canadian communities. Various indicators are derived from Statistics Canada's Census of Population and combined to give each community a well-being score.

Modern treaties and self-government arrangements recognize rights, jurisdictions and responsibilities. These advance Indigenous partners' political, economic, social and cultural development and support the objectives of these agreements, including improving the socio-economic well-being of the populations. The CWI scores are used to compare well-being in modern treaty and self-government agreement areas with well-being in other Canadian communities. An increase in the index score would suggest improvement in the socio-economic conditions for the respective populations. In parallel, CIRNAC is working with modern treaty partners and other government departments to refresh elements of the existing Cabinet Directive on the Federal Approach to Modern Treaty Implementation. In 2025-26, partners will be engaged through various avenues such as renewal negotiations, implementation committee meetings, ongoing policy co-development processes, subject-specific working groups, recognition of Indigenous rights and self-determination tables, as well as other appropriate forums to allow meaningful representation, clarify roles and responsibilities, and promote relationship building.

With regard to education, Canada has entered into several sectoral and self-government agreements, which provide full jurisdictional control over education. These agreements enable Indigenous Peoples to establish and control their education systems and institutions by providing services that better reflect student needs and by delivering culturally-appropriate education. The effective implementation of these agreements is an integral component of the drive towards reconciliation, self-determination and bridging socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and other Canadian communities. In 2025-26, CIRNAC will work with self-governing Indigenous governments to implement their education sectoral self-government agreements and to improve student educational outcomes in participating communities. Specifically, there are 9 sectoral education agreements in partnership with Indigenous governments in British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, where we will support our partners in the delivery of education.

Access to safe and affordable housing is also critical to improving health and social outcomes for Indigenous Peoples, and to ensuring a strong future for their communities. Budget 2023 announced $4 billion in funding over 7 years for the Urban, Rural and Northern (URN) Indigenous-led Housing Strategy. In 2025-26, the department will collaborate with First Nation Modern Treaty and Self-governing partners, who will receive $118.5 million to implement this strategy. With CIRNAC delivered federal housing investments in 2025-26, Métis Governments are planning to build over 400 new houses for their citizens, help more than 500 families with downpayment assistance, renovate over 2400 dwellings and provide over 600 rent subsidies to their citizens in need. As well, Inuit Treaty Organizations are expected to construct new and repair existing homes (60 and 58 respectively), increase available land for housing development, initiate affordability measures, and deliver important Inuit led-housing programs in their communities.

CIRNAC is also committed to support family members and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to find healing in whatever form that is meaningful to them. The federal government continues to support Indigenous-led, trauma-informed, culturally relevant resources that are accessible for family members and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people through the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Program. This program supports various initiatives, including the Red Dress Alert, which provides notification when an Indigenous woman, girl, Two-Spirit, or gender-diverse person goes missing so they can be brought home safely.

Finally, compensation associated with the resolution of historical grievances enables Indigenous People to seize socio-economic opportunities and improve their well-being, namely through job creation and increased labour income. As an example, since 2015, Canada has settled over 300 specific claims and provided over $10.6 billion in compensation to First Nations, including the resolution of 42 specific claims in 2023-24 alone. CIRNAC aims to resolve at least 35 more in 2025-26 as part of efforts to accelerate reconciliation and support positive economic impacts.

Information on GBA Plus for the Crown-Indigenous Relations core responsibility is available in the supplementary information table.

CIRNAC is committed to providing federal leadership and working collaboratively with partners in the Arctic and the North to develop solutions to challenges, ensure regional needs and priorities are addressed, and build capacity in regional organizations.

Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), which was co-developed with Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners, established a shared vision of the future where northern and Arctic people are thriving, strong and safe. It will guide federal policy in the region through 2030 and beyond. CIRNAC will engage with northern partners on an ongoing basis, anticipated to continue through 2025-26, at both the political level (annual Leadership Committee meetings) and the officials' level (monthly all-partners' working group meetings).

Furthermore, housing is essential to support healthy families and communities in the North and throughout Canada. Through continued investment and ongoing work with territorial and Indigenous partners, CIRNAC is working to ensure that all Northerners have access to sustainable, affordable and safe housing. Additionally, the department is dedicated to supporting the health and welfare of Northerners using made-in-the-North solutions. In 2025–26, on a quarterly basis, CIRNAC will assess and advance innovative solutions that respond to Canada's critical housing needs in the North and Arctic through the dedicated Intergovernmental Steering Committees on Housing for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and will build on historic investments in northern and Arctic housing strategies.

The Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. signed the historic Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Final Agreement in 2023-24. The 3-year collaborative implementation phase has begun as stipulated in the Agreement, and will continue until 2026-27. Over the coming year, the Parties will advance the work of transferring responsibilities to the Government of Nunavut, targeted for April 2027.

CIRNAC's participation in the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), including the production of reports, is based on the working group's international work plan. A work plan for the upcoming Danish Chairship of the Arctic Council is being co-developed with Member States and Indigenous organizations, based on direction from the Council's Senior Arctic Officials. It will guide CIRNAC's activities in the SDWG from May 2025 to May 2027.

CIRNAC will also continue to support Northerners through investments in northern post-secondary education and a coordinated horizontal response to the Calls to Action of the Task Force on Northern Post-Secondary Education. Support for the construction of a science building on the Yukon University campus is ongoing. Of note, this building will be the first on the campus that will be fully owned and operated by the University. Additionally, CIRNAC will support the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, as announced in Budget 2024 ($5.2 million over 2 years).

CIRNAC will continue to collaborate and work with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) process to explore options regarding the future establishment of an Inuit Nunangat University. CIRNAC will also leverage the existing Arctic Committees and other Arctic and Northern partner tables to broaden linkages across organizations.

Administered by CIRNAC, the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program supports food security in isolated northern communities by improving access to and affordability of retail, country, and locally-produced food, and other essential items in 125 eligible communities. The program contributes to the ANPF goal of ensuring that the Canadian Arctic and northern Indigenous Peoples are resilient and healthy. By supporting food security, it also advances the associated ANPF objective to eradicate hunger.

Specifically, the program continues to build on recent expansions with a proactive food systems approach. Expansions include improvements to the retail subsidy, increased funding for the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund, and the introduction of NNC's Food Security Research Grant. The results for Phase 1 of the Food Security Research Grant are expected in March 2025 and are expected to help guide program improvements to the subsidy model and fill in critical data gaps in food security research in isolated communities. Phase 2 of the Food Security Research Grant, scheduled to launch in 2025, will focus on developing and implementing recommendations on alternative models and opportunities for subsidy adjustments and improving food access, alongside Indigenous partners.

The NNC program will undergo an external review in 2025-26. A ministerial special representative will be appointed in 2025 to launch the review.

Northern and Arctic residents are exposed to the impacts of changing environments due to a number of factors, including rapid climate change, remoteness and inaccessibility, cold climate, aging and inefficient infrastructure, and flooding and wildfires. CIRNAC is working to ensure that Indigenous and northern communities are resilient to these changing environments, which in turn will allow them to better respond to these challenges in the future. Many remote Indigenous and northern communities still rely on imported diesel fuel for heat and electricity. However, many communities are now pursuing cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy to reduce environment, social and health-related impracts. Investing in wind, hydro and solar energy is a vital opportunity for ensuring clean growth, while generating skilled jobs and advancing Indigenous self-determination.

Managed by CIRNAC, the Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity (REACHE) program is part of 'Wah-ila-toos', a multi-departmental Indigenous and remote communities clean energy hub, which supports northern and Indigenous communities in their transition from diesel to clean, renewable and reliable energy. In 2025-26, the program will fund renewable energy installations, energy efficiency projects, and related capacity-building initiatives in the 3 territories and across Inuit Nunangat. The program is expected to reduce diesel consumption by 7 million litres by 2030. Engagements with Indigenous partners have shown a need for increased community capacity to better prepare communities for future Emergency Management events. CIRNAC will engage with territorial governments, Indigenous partners, as well as other federal departments to inform next steps.

CIRNAC will also fund community-led climate change adaptation projects and climate monitoring projects in northern and Indigenous communities that support self-determined community priorities, through a suite of climate change programs: Climate Change Preparedness in the North, First Nation Adapt, and Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring. This fiscal year, the department will invest $30.1 million to support over 150 projects in Indigenous and northern communities in adapting to climate change impacts through risk assessments, adaptation planning projects, and projects that facilitate the collection and co-application of scientific data and Indigenous knowledge for community-based climate monitoring. Additionally, CIRNAC will support the implementation of adaptation measures in the North, such as permafrost modeling and the redesign, retrofit, or upgrading of vulnerable infrastructure.

The CIRNAC-led Northern Contaminants Program will work to engage Northerners and scientists in research and monitoring related to long-range contaminants in the North. The results inform actions to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants in traditionally-harvested foods, while providing information that assists informed decision-making by individuals and communities in their food use.

Over the course of this year, the Northern Contaminants Program will complete a comprehensive review and revision of its Community-Based Monitoring and Research strategic framework; advance production of an assessment report on plastics and microplastics in Canada's North, to be published in 2027; and host a biennial Results Workshop where project leaders share the results of their work with program stakeholders. The Northern Contaminants Program will also implement recommendations from an external review of its governance, and will continue its leadership and responsibilities as the international Chair of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme working group under the Arctic Council.

Many remote Indigenous and northern communities are facing environmental and socio-economic challenges associated with environmental changes. Dealing with these challenges requires the participation of Indigenous partners and Northerners in resource management policies and decisions.

Over the course of this year, CIRNAC will manage its portfolio of approximately 150 northern contaminated sites. These sites pose significant risks to the environment and human health and safety in the 3 territories, and the department will invest in strategies with northern and Indigenous partners to address these risks as part of its commitment to the territorial governments and Indigenous rights holders.

CIRNAC will also continue to promote the Northern and Arctic resource economy while protecting the environment through impact assessment, land use planning, and conservation initiatives. Additionally, CIRNAC will advance the Northern Regulatory Initiative under Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy (CCMS) in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. In 2025-26, the focus will be on supporting the following initiatives:

• multi-party dialogues to help inform regulatory priorities and actions
• regional, cumulative effects, and baseline studies in areas of critical mineral and enabling infrastructure potential
• analysis of Crown consultation gaps and opportunities
• Indigenous participation in impact assessment and land use planning processes

The department will also continue to support other federal departments in the implementation of northern elements of CCMS.

Finally, CIRNAC will work with Inuit partners, academia and other federal government departments to conduct marine research, harvest studies, and environmental monitoring.