Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: 2024 to 2025 Departmental Results Report

Table 1: Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Table 1 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Past injustices are recognized and resolved" in the last 3 fiscal years.

Table 2: Indigenous Peoples advance their institutional structures and governance

Table 2 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Indigenous Peoples advance their institutional structures and governance" in the last 3 fiscal years.

Table 3: Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development

Table 3 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development" in the last 3 fiscal years.

Table 4: Indigenous Peoples strengthen their socio-economic conditions and well-being

Table 4 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Indigenous Peoples strengthen their socio-economic conditions and well-being" in the last 3 fiscal years.

The Results section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase page provides additional information on results and performance related to its program inventory.

Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Colonization policies and practices have led to the denial of Indigenous rights. To resolve historical failures, 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, and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples to co-develop solutions.

Results achieved

Specific claims deal with past breaches against First Nations. First Nations submit claims against the Government of Canada for its failure to discharge its lawful obligations with respect to pre-1975 treaties or its management of First Nations lands, funds and other assets. In 2024–25, the Government of Canada continued to work with First Nations to resolve outstanding specific claims through negotiated settlements. CIRNAC resolved 69 specific claims by using streamlined processes and a framework approach to address agricultural benefits claims.

The specific claims reform co-development process, which was launched in November 2022, continued through 2024–25. Canada and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) made significant progress by releasing a joint discussion paper in June 2024 about reforming the specific claims process, which was used to engage First Nations rights-holders. This initiative seeks to improve credibility and efficiency within the process.

CIRNAC also partners with the Department of Justice to manage the resolution of litigation. In 2024–25, the department fully executed 11 out-of-court settlement agreements. Additionally, 7 out-of-court negotiation mandates were approved.

Childhood Claims settlements attempt to balance individual compensation with forward-looking investments to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture and commemoration. Progress has been made in resolving claims where the federal government has clear liability. During 2024–25, implementation of the Federal Day Schools, Indian Residential Schools and Indian Boarding Homes settlement agreements continued. In February 2025, Canada and class counsel finalized the settlement of the Hardy (Indian Hospitals) class action.

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. However, First Nations have long expressed frustration with the pace at which lands are added to reserves and asked for a complete redesign of the ATR Policy. In response, recognizing the need for a more efficient and effective approach, the Department supported engagement activities in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2024–25, a Technical Advisory Committee was created to facilitate the co-development of the ATR Policy redesign. The committee includes representatives from First Nations communities and organizations, along with key federal government departments. The Government of Canada also approved 9 interim changes to the ATR policy, which focus on streamlining processes, easing requirements, and removing key barriers, offering immediate benefits to all First Nations seeking to add land to reserve while broader policy reform continues. Additionally, a report summarizing the results of First Nation-led engagement was developed and published on the CIRNAC website, identifying 672 recommendations to improve the ATR Policy.

The Government of Canada has also been working towards full implementation of the 94 Calls to Action delivered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to advance reconciliation. As of March 2025, 85% of the 76 Calls to Action involving federal responsibility are either complete (20) or well underway (46). Federal efforts have included developing new regulations, identifying budget investments, launching new programs, and enacting legislation.

In fulfillment of Call to Action 53, Bill C-29 was introduced in 2022 to support the establishment of a National Council for Reconciliation. On April 30, 2024, the National Council for Reconciliation Act received Royal Assent and it came into force on July 2, 2024. In the fall of 2024, the Transitional Committee for the National Council for Reconciliation and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations jointly undertook an open application process to identify members for the inaugural board of directors. On March 3, 2025, the first members of the board for the National Council for Reconciliation were announced and the Council was incorporated, formally establishing it as an independent, Indigenous-led organization responsible for monitoring and reporting on progress towards the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.

CIRNAC continued to implement Calls to Action 72 to 76 regarding Missing Children and Burial Information. In 2024–25, CIRNAC provided $2.33M to support the ongoing efforts of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) to implement the National Indian Residential School Student Death Register and public-facing Memorial Register (Call to Action 72) and the National Indian Residential School Online Cemeteries and Burial Sites Register (Call to Action 73). This work increases the information available to families and survivors on student deaths and burial places, accelerates the progress made to fill gaps in data collected to date, and improves access to information on missing or deceased family members.

This past year, the NCTR and CIRNAC also co-administered the National Advisory Committee on residential schools missing children and unmarked burials (the Committee), which continued work with Survivors to provide independent, trusted, and expert information to Indigenous communities in areas such as Indigenous laws and cultural protocols, forensics, archaeology, archival research, and criminal investigations. Guided by a Circle of Survivors, which includes members of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, the Committee ensured that Survivors' voices and perspectives remained central to its work. In 2024–25, CIRNAC provided $2.29M to the Committee, to hold information webinars as well as knowledge sharing gatherings across Canada.

Moreover, to advance Calls to Action 74 to 76, CIRNAC supported community-led initiatives centered on 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 Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Anderson). Since the launch of the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund in June 2021, CIRNAC has received 190 funding requests from Indigenous communities and organizations totaling over $718.4M. As a result, 161 agreements have been put in place, providing $246.8M to community-led initiatives in support of Calls to Action 74–76. Currently, 76 communities are advancing investigations at 89 of the 140 former residential schools, with some recipients leading initiatives at multiple sites. Advancing initial research, knowledge-gathering, and engagement activities will help inform subsequent fieldwork investigations, including surveys and mapping, ground-penetrating radar, archeological assessments, and on-site ceremonies.

In 2024–25, the Indian Residential Schools Documents Advisory Committee finalized an updated description of the Indian Residential Schools documents. This description will guide the department in its ongoing work to identify, review and collect potentially relevant documents.

In October 2024, the Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools released her Final Report, which contains 42 recommendations implicating all levels of government, faith-based institutions, and other organizations. CIRNAC is providing support to the Department of Justice in a multi-department review of the recommendations. Additionally, the Government of Canada continued to work with the All Parties Table (comprising the parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement) to finalize and sign a Covenant of Reconciliation based on Call to Action 46. The signature and implementation of a Covenant will reaffirm a commitment to reconciliation and to working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples and communities to realize transformative change.

In June 2017, it was announced that the former United States Embassy at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa, on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, would be transformed into a national space for Indigenous Peoples, led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Through ongoing engagement and collaborative discussions with national Indigenous organizations and the Algonquin Nation, separate agreements were signed in 2024–25 with the Crown to advance the National Space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. The following dates mark key developments in the agreements:

• On June 5, 2024, the Government of Canada and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council signed a Planning and Design Agreement to develop a dedicated Algonquin space at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa.
• On March 4, 2025, the Government of Canada and the leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council signed a Letter of Intent and Collaborative Implementation Framework confirming Canada's continued commitment to establishing the National Space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples (100 Wellington and 119 Sparks).

First Nations, Inuit and Métis will continue to refine the vision for this space that is expected to provide a place for Indigenous governments, institutions, and organizations to conduct intergovernmental meetings and host events. It will also provide Canadians from coast to coast to coast and visitors around the world with a unique opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and their important contributions to Canada's past, present, and future.

Indigenous Peoples advance their institutional structures and governance

The development of Indigenous-led institutions and governance is an essential step towards Indigenous self-determination. It is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. CIRNAC continued to work 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.

Results achieved

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. In 2024–25, CIRNAC in collaboration with the Lands Advisory Board, the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre, and ISC, continued its work on the First Nation Land Governance Registry and ongoing relationship under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. The development of the registry has advanced significantly this year with the development of multiple versions for user testing by a First Nation working group to address any issues, the creation of the not-for-profit organization to manage the registry – First Nation Land Governance Registry Inc. (FNLGR Inc.), and the appointment of a First Nation Board of Directors. Further progress was made through ongoing collaboration to facilitate data transfer and address privacy concerns under the Privacy Act. Steps were also taken towards the development of proposed amendments to the First Nation Land Registry Regulations and the Framework Agreement.

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, access to capital markets and more recently, respecting the provision of services and infrastructure. In 2024–25, CIRNAC worked closely with the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, modern treaty First Nations and the Province of British Columbia, to co-develop regulations that adapt the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to enable self-governing groups to access the pooled-borrowing regime under the Act. The draft regulations were completed in early 2025 and published for consultation. CIRNAC also continued to work with the First Nations Infrastructure Institute's Technical Working Group on the operationalization of the new Institute.

CIRNAC also offered funding under the Enhanced Capacity Building funding stream to support Indigenous groups that participate in recognition of rights and self-determination table discussions. In 2024–25, CIRNAC offered funding to support 9 Indigenous groups that participated in recognition of rights and self-determination table discussions. CIRNAC also offered funding under the Governance Capacity Development funding stream to an additional 15 Indigenous groups that participated in self-government negotiations and modern treaty negotiations.

Finally, CIRNAC worked towards streamlining processes related to board member appointments, based on information gained from engagement with modern treaty partners. The complexity of each modern treaty's appointment process means thorough analysis is required for developing solutions. Facilitating more efficient appointments of board members enhances the ability of Indigenous modern treaty partners to continue meaningful participation in the co-management of lands, resources, waters, and wildlife within their territories. In 2024–25, CIRNAC improved the board appointment approval process by reducing redundant templates. Working to collaboratively improve Indigenous participation in decision-making will result in more appropriate and efficient outcomes and recommendations from these bodies. The recent exercise of Red Tape Reduction will assist in further advancing this work.

Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development

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.

Results achieved

Permanent bilateral mechanisms (PBM) are established with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation leadership to identify joint priorities to advance reconciliation, co-develop policies and monitor progress. In 2024–25, the PBM with the AFN held 2 meetings at the senior officials level, as well as a Leaders' meeting, the first since March 2018. The parties drafted an updated list of joint priorities, advanced shared co-development principles, and explored options for long-term funding for the AFN and its regional affiliates. A more flexible, ten-year block funding agreement was provided to the AFN starting April 1, 2025. The June 2024 Leaders' meeting renewed the parties' commitment to the PBM, with a focus on endorsing an updated list of joint priorities to reflect the current needs and priorities of First Nations. The updated list, which builds upon the 7 joint priorities initially identified in 2017, has been triaged to focus on items that can achieve meaningful progress in the short-to medium- term and/or benefit from the oversight and direction of the PBM.

The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) continued to advance its priorities and to implement and respond to the recommendations outlined in the ICPC evaluation report Building a Partnership for Transformational Change. In 2024–25, a series of 5 ICPC meetings were held including 3 meetings with senior officials, 1 Leaders' meeting, and 1 meeting co-chaired by the President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Prime Minister. On November 23, 2024, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Government of Canada, delivered an apology to Nunavik Inuit for the Nunavik Dog Slaughter. This apology included an investment of $45M to support Nunavik Inuit communities to implement programs that will promote healing and cultural revitalization.

In addition, at the annual ICPC Leaders' meeting co-chaired by the Prime Minister, federal and Inuit leadership endorsed the co-development of a policy option for a Cabinet Directive on the Implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy. On February 6, 2025, through a joint announcement with the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the federal government introduced the Cabinet Directive on the Implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy. The Directive will ensure that government programs are in alignment with the Inuit Nunangat Policy.

In 2024–25, meetings between federal Ministers and Métis leadership were paused due to changes within Métis governance and organizations. However, work continued with a senior officials' meeting in April 2024, as well as a strategic session in Fall 2024 between federal and Métis officials, focused on determining the path forward for the PBM. Bilateral engagement between federal departments and Métis partners also continued. This included the Indigenous Justice Strategy (led by The Department of Justice) and the Emergency Management workplan (led by Public Safety) being finalized, reflecting progress in key priority areas previously identified.

This past year, CIRNAC provided funding to national women's organizations to support the implementation of relationship agreements. For example, progress included the advancement of strategic planning initiatives, multi-year leadership projects focused on strengthening internal governance capacity, and increased participation in federal policy and parliamentary processes.

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 Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. In 2024–25, CIRNAC provided $2.5M to support ongoing work in 5 active priority areas (housing, justice, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Indigenous languages, and family programs) to advance issues of importance to CAP.

In June 2024, CIRNAC published the third Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report. This report provides an overview of work completed to date, including progress towards the Calls for Justice, to address the immediate and long-term needs of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, ensuring they live free from violence. A total of 21 federal departments participated in its development, with CIRNAC acting as the central coordinator. In addition, in January 2025, the department published an online reporting tool to track the progress of federal efforts to address the Calls for Justice reported in the 2023–24 Annual Progress Report. In 2024–25, CIRNAC funded 21 projects across the country, inclusive of all distinctions, under the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program.

On May 3, 2024, the federal government and the Province of Manitoba announced a partnership to co-develop a regional Red Dress Alert pilot with Indigenous partners. Later, on October 4, 2024, it was announced that Giganawenimaanaanig, an Indigenous organization in Manitoba, had been identified to lead the engagement phase of the pilot.

The third annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting took place on January 29-30, 2025. It brought together approximately 145 in-person and 188 virtual participants from Indigenous organizations and federal, provincial and territorial governments. The meeting provided productive discussions on Red Dress Alert pilot updates, efforts to address human trafficking, data gaps, and information from provincial and Indigenous organizations on 2SLGBTQI+ experiences, Family Information Liaison Units, and the work to support Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Throughout the year, the Supporting Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ Organizations program provided $7.4M through 33 projects to support increased capacity and the ability of organizations to engage at the grassroots level to identify priorities and influence change within all levels of government.

Examples of funded projects include:

• Femmes Autochtones du Québec received $259.6K for the Cellule de recherche project which began with a historic gathering of 160 Indigenous women from every Indigenous First Nation in Quebec to discuss the future of Indigenous women and to foster an inclusive platform for collaboration, supporting research, development of priorities, and creation of an action plan.
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak received $72K for Continuing the Journey: Métis-First, Gendered, Intersectional Lens project. This initiative supports the development and implementation of a Métis-specific gender and intersectional responsive tracking and assessment tool to advance equality.
• The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association received $150K for the Restoring Indigenous Women's Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance project to support engagement efforts with community organizations, as well as collaboration efforts with First Nations, municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC contributed to the advancement of the implementation of the UN Declaration Act through its leadership on 44 of the 181 measures in the Action Plan (2023-2028). In line with the objectives of the Declaration, CIRNAC supported the co-development of legislation, policies, and programs that promote Indigenous self-determination and strengthen Indigenous governance institutions. The department also continued to advance internal efforts to align departmental policy and programming with the principles of the Declaration by promoting the use of a policy consistency tool within the department.

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, Canada adopted new financial tools with higher capital transfer, allowing for more flexible types of agreements, and helping resolve Section 35 negotiations. In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued progress in its negotiations with Indigenous Peoples across the country. As of March 31, 2025, there were 173 active negotiation tables. These discussion tables continued to explore innovative approaches to reach agreements that recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples and foster self-determination in the spirit of partnership. Results in 2024–25 stemming from these discussions include 17 agreements and 6 preliminary-type agreements. One notable example is the conclusion of the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty, the first self-government Treaty concluded with a Métis government in Canada. This Treaty will recognize the Manitoba Métis Federation's inherent right to self-government and law-making powers over its own citizenship, elections and other operations. The next step will be to introduce federal legislation to bring the Treaty into effect.

The department also engaged with Self-Government Arrangement Holders to address implementation needs and continued work on a shared workplan, as part of Shared Priorities Action Plan Measure (APM) 26 and Modern Treaty Priorities APM 1. In addition, early discussions with some Indigenous partners have been initiated to explore the development of a public statement on Canada's rights-based approach for the negotiation of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements. This responds to APM 23.

Additionally, significant milestones on the path towards new comprehensive treaties and self-government agreements in British Columbia include:

• The first community ratification of a comprehensive treaty in B.C. in over a decade (by K'ómoks First Nation), the initialing of 3 treaties (with K'ómoks, Kitselas, and Kitsumkalum First Nations), and the achievement of Chief Negotiators' Understandings, also known as ‘handshake agreements,' with the 5 Nations of the Te'mexw Treaty Association. K'ómoks First Nation also held a successful vote to adopt a written constitution on March 8, 2025.
• Haida Nation and Canada reached 2 historic reconciliation milestones in 2024–25. The Haida Nation Recognition Act, which affirms the government of Canada's recognition of the Haida Nation's inherent rights of governance and self-determination, received Royal Assent in November 2024. Canada and the Haida Nation also signed the Chiix̲uujin / Chaaw K̲aawgaa "Big Tide (Low Water)" Haida Title Lands Agreement on December 4, 2024, in which Canada recognized that the Haida Nation have Aboriginal title to lands on Haida Gwaii. This agreement represents the first time that Canada has negotiated recognition of Aboriginal title to specific lands.
• Canada and Musqueam initialed the Musqueam Self-Government Agreement in 2024–25, which Canada and Musqueam will sign, subject to approval from the Musqueam community. Co-developed by Canada and Musqueam, the Musqueam Self-Government Agreement recognizes Musqueam's inherent right to self-government. Once in effect, this self-government agreement will modernize and fundamentally redefine Musqueam's relationship with Canada by recognizing Musqueam's jurisdiction over their members on reserve land.
• 3 Preliminary Agreements were signed with Tla-o-qui-aht, West Moberly, and Skatin First Nations, and a Reconciliation Framework Agreement with Tsleil-Waututh First Nation was signed in 2024–25.

Several agreements were also reached in Central and Eastern Canada, including:

• Canada and the respective Lake Nipigon Plaintiffs (4 Robinson-Superior First Nations, including Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Whitesand First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek) signed agreements to resolve the First Nations' Treaty Reserve Claims against Canada, which relate to a Treaty promise for reserve lands that dates back to the signing of the Robinson-Superior Treaty in 1850. These agreements represent an important step in renewing the nation-to-nation relationship. Canada remains committed to longer-term work with these First Nations and the Province of Ontario towards a land-related settlement.
• Canada, Ontario, and Robinson Superior Treaty First Nations engaged in time-bound negotiations to attempt to reach a negotiated settlement to repay annuities owed under the Treaty. The compensation amount is being reviewed by the Court, as requested by the First Nations.
• On April 17, 2024, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and the Government of Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding which marks a renewed commitment to dialogue and collaboration, aiming to strengthen their relationship and advance self-determination for the Kanien'kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke.
• On May 23, 2024, the Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci and the Government of Canada signed a framework agreement on self-government (Entente-cadre sur l’autonomie gouvernementale). Known as the Masinahikan Nahitatowin Okimawinik, the agreement sets the stage for negotiating future self-government agreements in areas such as governance, education, economic development, land management, and taxation.
• On July 15, 2024, at Whitecap Dakota Nation, Saskatchewan, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations delivered a formal statement of recognition and apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to the 9 Dakota and Lakota First Nations in Canada and their members. The communities involved include Whitecap, Standing Buffalo, Wood Mountain, Wahpeton, Birdtail Sioux, Sioux Valley, Dakota Plains, Dakota Tipi, and Canupawakpa.
• On August 12, 2024, Canada and the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising (UCCMM), representing 5 Manitoulin Island First Nations including the Aundeck Omni Kaning, M'Chigeeng, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, and Zhiibaahaasing, signed the Manitoulin Project Settlement Agreement. On October 26, 2024, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations delivered a formal statement of apology on behalf of Canada to the 5 Manitoulin Island First Nations and their members for past wrongs relating to the Crown's mismanagement of their finances in the late 1800s. The apology marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Canada and the First Nations.
• On October 13, 2024, the Toquktmekl Agreement was signed between the Mi'kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow and the Government of Canada, establishing a co-management framework for Prince Edward Island's national parks and historic sites. It enables traditional practices, joint stewardship, and affirms Mi'kmaq rights as part of reconciliation efforts.
• On December 18, 2024, an agreement was signed between 8 of the 9 Mi'gmaq First Nations in New Brunswick and the Government of Canada. The agreement aims to recognize Mi'gmaq rights and support traditional harvesting practices through collaborative governance and shared stewardship of Kouchibouguac and Fundy National Parks, as well as other National Historic Sites in Eastern New Brunswick.
• On January 22, 2025, Canada and the Dundas Harbour (Tallirutiit) Relocation Society signed a $4.5M settlement agreement acknowledging the forced relocations of Inuit families between 1934 and 1948. A formal apology was delivered in Arctic Bay on February 27, 2025 by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, recognizing the harm caused and honouring survivors and their descendants.

The department also began undertaking a review of Canada's internal processes and overall approach related to rights-based discussions, with the aim of making them more efficient. The purpose of this review is to identify opportunities to maximize positive impacts for partners, while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability of the negotiations program.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to uphold the honour of the Crown by fulfilling Canada's obligations under modern treaties and self-government agreements. Over the past year, work advanced on co-developing commitments under Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy, aligned with the UN Declaration Act APM 1 and a Cabinet Directive on the Inuit Nunangat Policy which was announced in February 2025. Key developments included the introduction of Bill C-77 in October 2024 to establish a Commissioner of Modern Treaty Implementation (which did not proceed due to prorogation), the launch of discussions on economic reconciliation—including measuring the economic impact of modern treaties—and the development of recommendations to address barriers to board member recruitment and retention. Draft revisions were also made to improve the Cabinet Directive on Modern Treaty Implementation.

CIRNAC also continued work under Canada's Collaborative Self-Government Fiscal Policy to bring representatives of Canada and 26 self-governing Indigenous Governments together to co-develop expenditure need proposals. Work at the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process in 2024–25 focused on the conclusion of co-developed proposals for infrastructure, language revitalization, and lands management.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to advance the implementation of the co-developed Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia, in partnership with the other Principals to the British Columbia Treaty Process (the First Nations Summit and the Province of British Columbia). Informed by outcomes from the first tripartite sponsored review of the Policy that concluded in October 2023, as well as comments made by participants at the January 2024 tripartite negotiators' session, the parties initiated the development of a joint implementation plan for the Policy, including consideration around training and guidance for negotiators. CIRNAC also worked closely with the Province of British Columbia and participating Indigenous Nations to advance tripartite policy work with respect to the Policy's Schedule A: Commitments to Further Work, with a focus on jurisdiction and land-related issues, including the constitutional status of settlement lands.

Consultation activities are key opportunities for Canada to demonstrate its continued commitment to rebuilding and maintaining collaborative relationships with Indigenous Peoples through meaningful involvement in decision-making. CIRNAC offers guidance, systems, and tools to federal officials in order to support Canada's whole-of-government approach to the legal duty to consult. In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to provide funding to support consultation tools for Indigenous partners, such as consultation protocols and resources centres, enhancing core capacity for Indigenous Peoples to manage and meaningfully participate in consultation supporting self-determination.

Budget 2023 provided $11.4M over 3 years, starting in 2023–24, for CIRNAC to engage with Indigenous Peoples to renew the guidelines for federal officials to fulfill the Crown's duty to consult. Engagement began in the winter of 2024 and is now in its second phase. In 2024–25, 323 participants from 223 Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada have participated in 14 in-person, and 2 virtual engagement sessions. Renewing the guidelines is essential to support federal officials in advancing the Government's priority initiatives, including the Build Canada Act.

CIRNAC has 3 regional partnerships teams that lead a whole-of-government approach to consultation and accommodation across the country, including managing the Federal Initiative on Consultation. Throughout 2024–25, the partnerships teams held quarterly regional interdepartmental consultation network meetings; launched new regional consultation information hub online resources via GCPedia; provided regionally tailored and file-specific consultation advice and guidance to federal departments, agencies, and other stakeholders; supported consistent federal consultation practices, tailored tools and templates; co-developed a new consultation protocol agreement; and amended an existing agreement with Indigenous partners.

CIRNAC also provides advice to federal departments and agencies during assessments of major projects to ensure that duty to consult obligations are fulfilled. In 2024–25, CIRNAC provided advice on 29 designated major projects and 72 non-designated major projects (including 61 Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund projects). In addition, CIRNAC supported the Alto rail project with advice on consultation and partnering with Indigenous communities through the co-development phase and through participation on the Deputy Minister Oversight Committee.

In 2024–25, in response to commitments made in Budget 2024, CIRNAC engaged Indigenous partners on improving Crown Consultation Coordinator functions, specifically for non-designated projects south of 60 and highlighted opportunities to strengthen federal coordination of Crown consultations. This includes areas such as providing predictable funding, centralized tracking and monitoring, accountability in accommodation measures, and coordinating access to federal decision-makers.

On behalf of Canada, CIRNAC is committed to developing relationships with Indigenous Peoples through the co-development of consultation protocol agreements with Indigenous groups to create a process to follow when consulting on potential adverse impacts to Aboriginal or treaty rights. In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to provide funding to each Indigenous consultation protocol holder, resource centre, and partner with a protocol in co-development. Additionally, a new protocol with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh, Essipit Innus, and Nutashkuan Innus was finalized in 2024–25. This brings the total number of protocols to 13, in addition to 5 consultation resource centres supporting Indigenous communities across Canada.

Amplifying Indigenous voices and facilitating the sharing of Indigenous information with, among others, the general public and industry stakeholders is a key component of the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System (ATRIS), which houses information on potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights to support federal departments and others in engaging and consulting with Indigenous partners. Training sessions on ATRIS are being delivered in a variety of ways including webinars twice a month, tailored individual sessions, and through consultation training. In 2024–25, more than 1,532 individuals, including federal, provincial and territorial officials, were trained on the system and 33 community and organization profiles in ATRIS were co-developed or co-validated with Indigenous partners. These efforts advanced Indigenous data sovereignty and supported APM 68 of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan.

Additionally, more than 41 departments and agencies were provided with advice and guidance, related primarily to consultation and accommodation, through CIRNAC's Single Window. In 2024–25, a variety of training events were offered to federal employees including:

• 11 Consultation and Accommodation training sessions.
• 4 executive-level fireside chats.
• 2 policy training sessions co-delivered with Indigenous partners.
• 1 event, co-delivered with the Canada School of Public Service, entitled Reflections on the 2004 Haida Nation Rights Decision on the Crown's Duty to Consult, attended by over 1,500 participants.

Indigenous Peoples strengthen their socio-economic conditions and well-being

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.

Results achieved

CIRNAC continued to support the management and implementation of modern treaties and self-government agreements by having meaningful engagement with Indigenous organizations and governments, provincial and territorial partners, as well as other federal departments. From May 28 to July 19, 2024, CIRNAC held a national engagement on the draft legislative proposal for the establishment of a Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. This legislation has been a priority for Indigenous modern treaty partners for the past 2 decades. CIRNAC took a broad approach to the consultation process and engaged over 130 partners, including Indigenous modern treaty partners, groups negotiating a modern treaty, stand-alone self-government arrangement holders, sectoral agreement holders, national Indigenous organizations, key partners, and provinces and territories. To conclude the consultation process, a ministerial roundtable with Indigenous modern treaty partners was held on September 24, 2024. The proposal received unanimous support from partners.

Throughout 2024–25, the department was involved in 85 implementation committee meetings and 106 recognition of Indigenous rights and self-determination tables, in addition to leading and supporting subject-specific working groups and other appropriate forums in response to partner requests.

This fiscal year, CIRNAC offered Indigenous governments longer-term fiscal financing arrangements to support long-term planning and investment cycles. Looking ahead, nearly all self-governing Indigenous governments have expressed a preference for longer-term fiscal arrangements, and the majority have elected to extend their existing agreements until 2034. This resulted in 10 year extensions of 19 fiscal arrangements (15 year duration in total) and the extension of 6 other fiscal arrangements for periods less than 10 years. The flexibility and stability of fiscal arrangements allow Indigenous governments to focus and respond to the needs of their communities through long term sustainable investments, such as economic development, infrastructure planning that will contribute to growth in the communities, employment and improving access to culturally-relevant social and education programs. Furthermore, the extended term of these fiscal arrangements provides greater opportunities for Indigenous governments to leverage secure federal funding streams with private investors.

The department also supported the organization of a second Intergovernmental Leaders Forum, as established by Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy, with leaders of modern treaty and self-governing Indigenous governments to advance shared implementation priorities, discuss areas of concern, and celebrate successes. The 2024 Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum was held in Gatineau, Quebec on May 2, 2024. The Forum was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by 7 cabinet ministers, and leaders from 28 Indigenous modern treaty partners and 4 self-government arrangement holders.

CIRNAC continued to collaborate with Indigenous modern treaty partners and other government departments to co-develop revisions and improvements to the existing Cabinet Directive on Modern Treaty Implementation in order to align it with the commitments made in Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy. In 2024–25, engagement with other federal departments occurred on elements of the updated Cabinet Directive such as revisions to the Assessment of Modern Treaty Implications. Work has also been underway on the issues management escalation process and reporting practices. The revised Directive is intended to strengthen the governance ecosystem for escalating and triaging modern treaty issues. The Deputy Ministers' Oversight Committee will continue to hold responsibility for monitoring modern treaty implementation across government, supported by a Directors' General Implementation Committee, and an interdepartmental committee of federal officials.

Since 2023, when modern treaty training was first introduced, CIRNAC has delivered 33 sessions to public servants across 46 departments and agencies. As of late 2024, training that supports modern treaty implementation was transferred to the Canada School of Public Service and adapted for online self-paced courses.

Furthermore, in 2024–25, over 400 CIRNAC employees who advance negotiations participated in learning strategy sessions to obtain the competencies required to co-develop treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements.

Canada has continued to work with self-governing Indigenous governments to implement their education sectoral self-government agreements, which provide full jurisdictional control over education, and improve student educational outcomes in participating communities. The Education Jurisdiction Initiative allows First Nations to exercise self-determination through law-making authority in the area of primary and secondary education, and by operating their schools under their own laws.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC focused on implementing Education Jurisdiction Agreements with 7 participating First Nations (ʔaq'am, Cowichan Tribes, Lil'wat Nation, Seabird Island, Ditidaht First Nation, Tsq'escen' First Nation [Canim Lake Band], and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw [Squamish Nation]).

CIRNAC continues to work with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and interested First Nations on additional communities entering into Education Jurisdiction Agreements with Canada. Engagement in 2024–25 included supporting information meetings with FNESC and interested First Nations, and organizing FNESC's plenary at Our Gathering. While FNESC projected 3 additional First Nations may be ready to enter agreements in 2024–25, no interested First Nations formally requested fiscal offers. CIRNAC currently has a mandate for up to 9 new education sectoral agreements in British Columbia and will continue working with partners toward entering into additional agreements when they are ready to proceed with requesting fiscal offers.

A similar agreement in Ontario continues to provide culturally relevant education to Indigenous students each year. A total of 23 Anishinabek First Nations and Canada signed the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement that came into effect on April 1, 2018. This Agreement recognizes First Nation jurisdiction over primary, elementary, and secondary education. It also provides for First Nation administration of the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.

The Mi'kmaq Education Agreement was signed in 1997 between 9 of Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq First Nations and the Government of Canada. Since then, 3 additional communities have joined, bringing the total to 12 of the 13 Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia. This Agreement recognizes First Nation jurisdiction over primary, elementary, and secondary education. It also provides for First Nation administration of the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC worked with other federal departments to incorporate distinctions-based funding of federal socio-economic initiatives into modern treaty and self-governing Indigenous governments fiscal financing arrangements, such as the School Food Program, Youth Mental Health Fund, Post-Secondary Student Support Program, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, Urban, Rural and Northern Housing Strategy and the Indigenous Health Equity Fund. CIRNAC engaged directly with modern treaty and self-governing Indigenous governments to develop appropriate, transparent, and fair approaches for determining specific funding allocations for a number of these federal initiatives.

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. Results for 2024–25 are expected from partners in 2025–26. Since 2016, Inuit have constructed over 600 new homes, repaired a significant number of existing units, and have undertaken critical land development and capacity building.

From 2018–19 to 2023–24, the funding provided to the 6 Métis organizations (Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation British Columbia and Métis Settlements General Council) has enabled them to build or purchase 1,865 housing units, provide down payment assistance to 2,118 Métis families, renovate 6,524 units, and provide rent subsidies to 10,933 families.

Finally, CIRNAC is committed to supporting 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. In 2024–25, CIRNAC funded 20 projects across the country, inclusive of all distinctions, under the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program.

Table 5: Snapshot of resources required for Crown Indigenous Relations

Table 5 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase page and the People section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase page provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Table 6: Northerners and Indigenous Peoples advance their political, economic and social governance development

Table 6 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Northerners and Indigenous Peoples advance their political, economic and social governance development" in the last 3 fiscal years.

Table 7: Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environmental conditions

Table 7 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environmental conditions" in the last 3 fiscal years.

Table 8: Northern lands, waters, and natural resources are sustainably managed

Table 8 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under "Northern lands, waters, and natural resources are sustainably managed" in the last 3 fiscal years.

The Results section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase page provides additional information on results and performance related to its program inventory.

Northerners and Indigenous Peoples advance their political, economic and social governance development

Canada continued to provide federal leadership and collaboration 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.

Results achieved

Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), which was co-developed with Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners, aims to achieve a shared vision of the future where northern and Arctic people are thriving, strong and safe. In 2024–25, bilateral and multilateral discussions between the Minister of Northern Affairs, CIRNAC officials, and territorial, provincial, and Indigenous partners continued through established tables. These discussions ensured federal awareness of partners' key priorities and provided opportunities for engagement on federal policy initiatives led by other federal Ministers and departments, including the Arctic Foreign Policy and Our North Strong and Free: Defence Policy Update. Notably, the Yukon First Nations partner chapter was released by the Council of Yukon First Nations in 2024. Through the All Partners Working Group, partners provided input on priority agenda items for the 2024 ANPF Leadership Committee meeting (held in Iqaluit in October 2024), and input to the development of briefing documents for all leaders.

In 2024–25, the Government of Canada continued to advance on its commitment of ensuring that all Northerners have access to sustainable and affordable housing. This was accomplished by engaging in bilateral discussions with First Nation communities off-reserve without modern treaty and Métis communities in the Northwest Territories (NWT) to understand their housing needs as captured in their housing plan, and to ensure that these communities had access to funding outlined in Budgets 2022 and 2023 (Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy).

The Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. signed the historic Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement in 2023–24. This marked the beginning of the implementation phase, with the transfer date set for April 1, 2027. The first year of implementation of the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement has seen the 3 parties transition successfully from negotiations to implementation. Throughout 2024–25, implementation was focused on establishing the required governance and oversight. The parties have continued to advance the implementation phase, and closed this fiscal year focusing on planning towards 2025–26.

On March 8, 2025, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Nunavut signed a renewed Nunavut Implementation Contract for 2024–34. This is the first time since the original Nunavut Implementation Contract came up for renewal in 2003, that the parties were able to successfully renew the contract through negotiations. The contract will be investing $1.5B over 10 years into the territory for the benefit of Inuit and Nunavummiut. The following were supported through renewed funding:

• Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for institutional capacity, tripartite efforts to design and develop pre-employment training for Inuit, and one-time funding for the Inuit Heritage Trust for the construction of a new Nunavut Cultural Centre.
• The Government of Nunavut for incremental implementation funding, as well as funding to support the design and development of programming to advance Inuit employment in government (in-service delivery and pre-employment training).
• Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (including Pilimmaksaivik as the federal centre of excellence in Inuit employment in government) in its significant coordination efforts to raise Inuit employment levels, and includes program funding for in-service delivery and pre-employment training for Inuit.
• A total of 5 institutions of public government in Nunavut, including the 3 regional wildlife organizations and the 27 hunters and trappers organizations.

With regard to the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), Canada led or co-led 9 of the 11 projects endorsed by the SDWG, addressing key areas such as mental wellness, renewable energy, food security, gender equality, public health, demographic analysis, economic development, and waste management. Canada worked in collaboration with permanent participants, including the Saami Council, Gwich'in Council International, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Aleut International Association, and Inuit Circumpolar Council, as well as member states such as the United States, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Iceland. Project deliverables include final reports, interactive portals, mapping tools, and online exchanges—providing practical resources, policy insights, and capacity-building tools to support sustainable development across northern and Arctic regions.

CIRNAC continued 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. In 2024–25, final planning, including the tendering process for trades and suppliers to begin construction of the science building at Yukon University in spring 2025, was finalized. The department also supported the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning. With reporting for 2024–25 to be received during the 2025–26 fiscal year, Dechinta's achievements between 2020 and 2023 include the development of 8 university accredited courses offered to 75 students.

The Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program supports food security in isolated and northern communities by improving access to and affordability of retail, country, and locally-produced food, and other essential items in 125 eligible communities.

Budget 2024 provided $124M over 3 years to expand programming, including $23.2M in 2024–25. As a result, NNC was able to extend the retail subsidy to food banks and non profits, as well as maintain subsidy rates to help address rising inflation. Local growers and producers in eligible communities can also register to participate in the subsidy program. The subsidy continues to deliver savings by reducing the cost of food and essential items in these regions. A total of 7 food banks are now registered, with further onboarding underway. NNC remains committed to expanding these partnerships to strengthen access to food. The impact has been tangible. In total, for 2024–25, 224,825 kilograms of free food was delivered to communities.

The Harvesters Support Grant (HSG) and Community Food Programs Fund (CFPF) are community-driven solutions developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities. They can be used to support greenhouses, local food initiatives, and the harvesting, processing, and distribution of country foods. Budget 2024 committed an additional $96.7M to HSG and CFPF, along with $8M in permanent annual funding. This brings the total investment to $120.7M over a 3-year period, spanning fiscal years 2024–25 to 2026–27. In 2024, NNC signed 3-year agreements with 24 Indigenous governments and organizations to deliver HSG and CFPF programming in 112 remote communities.

To enhance evidence-based improvements, Budget 2024 also allocated $2.1M over 3 years to support the Food Security Research Grant for Indigenous-led projects that focus on food security and food access inequality in isolated northern communities. The first phase of the grant was from 2022–23 to 2024–25 and invested $1.5M to generate additional insight and knowledge on the effects of the NNC subsidy and inform ongoing improvements. With Phase roman numeral 1I complete, NNC is preparing for Phase roman numeral 2II, which will focus on implementable solutions to improve the program.

NNC continues to evolve based on the guidance of Indigenous and northern partners, increasingly adopting a food systems and co-delivery approach to promote food security and food sovereignty. For example, in 2024–25, NNC continued to engage with its Advisory Board, the Indigenous Working Group, and the Inuit-Crown Food Security Working Group to co-develop strategies for improving program effectiveness.

A departmental evaluation was launched by CIRNAC in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2025. Its terms of reference and design were founded on the direct involvement of Indigenous partners, local communities, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and others affected by NNC. In February 2025, a Minister's Special Representative was appointed to conduct an external review of NNC. Reporting independently to the Minister, the Minister's Special Representative is engaging national and regional Indigenous organizations, stakeholders, and federal departments to assess program effectiveness. A final report, including recommendations for program improvements, is expected in 2026. Recommendations from all reviews and evaluations will inform the policy trajectory moving forward.

Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environmental conditions

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.

Results achieved

In 2022, the Government of Canada committed to advance an Indigenous Climate Leadership (ICL) Agenda and launched a 3-year Indigenous-led co-development process to identify climate priorities and develop recommendations for supporting self-determined climate action. Indigenous climate leadership is a key component of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, recognizing their right to participate in decision-making and lead climate initiatives. This fiscal year saw the conclusion of the ICL Agenda's co-development process. CIRNAC supported over 100 Indigenous-led engagement sessions and received 37 sets of region-specific climate recommendations from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, endorsed by Indigenous political leaders. This is part of the UN Declaration Act APM 46.

Many remote Indigenous and northern communities still rely on imported, highly-polluting and costly diesel fuel for heat and electricity. To reduce environmental, social and health-related impacts, many communities are now pursuing cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy. CIRNAC, through the Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity (Northern REACHE) program, worked with Natural Resources Canada (NRC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to deliver "Wah-ila-toos", a single-window initiative that employs a community-centred and relationship-based approach to streamline access to clean energy funding and resources for Indigenous and remote communities. Wah-ila-toos has integrated the participation of Indigenous energy experts in its governance structure and prioritizes capacity building and Indigenous-led energy solutions. In 2024–25, the Northern REACHE program invested $14.3M in 69 clean energy projects across the North. As of 2024–25, REACHE funded projects have resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 1,800,000 litres of diesel consumption. Many projects supported by the program are in the planning stage. As the systems are commissioned, diesel reductions are expected to increase significantly, contributing to the target of 7 million litres avoided by 2030. As an example of a community-led project, Northern REACHE provided funding to Gonezu Energy, an Indigenous-owned clean energy business in the Northwest Territories, to support 31 small-scale solar installations on the cabins of Dehcho First Nations members. The community members are participating in the installation and will learn about solar energy. In addition to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, the initiative will increase energy literacy and awareness.

In 2024–25, CIRNAC also funded community-led climate change adaptation projects and climate monitoring projects in northern and Indigenous communities that support self-determined community priorities. The department's climate change adaptation programs include First Nation Adapt, Climate Change Preparedness in the North and Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring. This fiscal year, these 3 programs combined invested over $25.5M in 238 community-driven projects in Indigenous and northern communities across Canada that support climate change adaptation and build community resilience to climate change impacts. Projects include risks assessments, adaptation planning, facilitating the collection and co-application of scientific data, and Indigenous knowledge for community-based climate monitoring. Northern projects also support the implementation of adaptation measures, such as permafrost modeling, and the redesign, retrofit, or upgrading of vulnerable infrastructure. The examples below highlight community-led multi-year projects funded in 2024–25:

• The First Nation Adapt Program funded Sandy Bay Ojibwe First Nation to develop a Water Resilience Master Plan to improve flood and drought resilience through a community and land-centric approach, including tree planting and natural infrastructure. The community has been affected by major flooding events, including the devastating floods of 2011 and 2014 that resulted in evacuations, damaging homes and infrastructure. More recently, drought is also becoming an emerging threat. This project was identified as a priority through a previously funded initiative that included a climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan.
• The Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program funded the Hopedale Inuit Community Government in Nunatsiavut to administer an avalanche awareness and early response training program to the residents of Hopedale. With increasing climate variability in temperature and precipitation, Hopedale residents have experienced unstable and unpredictable snowpack areas across the community, and as a result, the threat of avalanches in the community has increased. This awareness training utilized local knowledge and technical expertise from Avalanche Canada.
• The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program funded the Kivalliq Wildlife Board to study climate impacts on marine food chains. Using Elders' and hunters' knowledge and scientific methods, they are documenting changes in microscopic marine organisms, water quality, and in the diet and abundance of country food species such as fish, seals, beluga and polar bear. Community members from Kangiqliniq and Tikirarjuaq, Nunavut have received training in scientific monitoring methods and participate in collecting data. The knowledge gathered will be used to understand how key marine species use different food chains, predict possible changes in country food availability, and develop a plan to mitigate climate impacts on country food access.

The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) aims 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. In 2024–25, $5.1M in funding support was provided for 66 projects across Canada and internationally. This included support for 26 monitoring and research projects that add plastic pollution data for 10 unique environmental compartments (air, snow, ice, sediment, sea water, fresh water, Arctic char, freshwater fish, seabirds, and mammals).

The program-led review of its core environmental monitoring framework resulted in increased coordination of northern travel plans across 14 projects. It also led to the expansion of some projects to include sampling and chemical analysis that was requested by Indigenous rightsholders and northern communities. The audit on plastics activities in the program led to changes in the proposal templates that were submitted. These templates now include a section related to challenges and risks. Applicants are asked to identify factors that may negatively impact their project or its funding. Additionally, to boost quality assurance and control efforts, a new tool was developed to manage participation in the interlaboratory study, including new follow-up processes for project leads. This will facilitate better understanding of a laboratory's commitment to the study, and will eliminate potential issues related to duplication of data.

Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, a working group of the Arctic Council, was confirmed on January 15, 2024, for a 2-year term, with the appointment of the Director of Northern Science and Contaminants Research to the leadership position.

Northern lands, waters, and natural resources are sustainably managed

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.

Results achieved

In 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to ensure the management of its portfolio of over 160 northern contaminated sites located across the 3 territories. Of these sites, 71 are considered high-priority for action. These sites pose significant risks to the environment and to human health and safety of northern and Indigenous communities.

Through the Northern Contaminated Sites Program, CIRNAC advanced site remediation and long-term monitoring activities, with 92% of high-priority sites actively managed. The department also continued to invest in collaborative strategies with territorial governments and Indigenous rights holders, ensuring that remediation decisions are guided by local priorities, Indigenous knowledge, and community input.

Within CIRNAC's group of 8 largest abandoned mine reclamation projects, the Giant Mine Remediation Project in the Northwest Territories continues remediation work. In 2024–25, significant construction began on the new Water Treatment Plant and the Core Industrial Area Decontamination and Deconstruction Contract was awarded. In addition, the United Keno Hill Mines Remediation Project in the Yukon completed its first year of remediation. Work was initiated on the Valley Tailings Facility Water Treatment Plant, the Silver Trail Highway Water Treatment Plant, and on the rehabilitation of the entrance (portal) and horizontal passage (adit). The 6 remaining abandoned mine projects under the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, along with all projects under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, will continue planning for remediation in the coming years. When required, pre-remediation care and maintenance activities take place to ensure site stability.

CIRNAC also continued to promote the Northern and Arctic resource economy while protecting the environment through impact assessment, land use planning, and conservation initiatives. CIRNAC's Northern Participant Funding Program supports the meaningful participation of Indigenous governments and organizations, as well as non-Indigenous organizations, in environmental and socio-economic impact assessments of major development, remediation, and infrastructure projects in the territories. In 2024–25, the Northern Participant Funding Program awarded $1.6M in funding to Indigenous partners across the 3 territories. These funds helped improve decision making by co-management boards through participation in major development project assessments and regulatory reviews. The projects supported were:

• $300K for Imperial Oil's Norman Wells Line 490 project in the NWT.
• $462K for Imperial Oil's Norman Wells Operations project in the NWT.
• $70K for reimbursements of expenses incurred for the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board's review of the Chance Oil and Gas Eagle Plains Multi-Well Exploration Program project in the Yukon.
• $180K for the Mount Nansen Remediation project assessment in the Yukon.
• $243.3K for the Diavik Type A Water License Renewal in the NWT.
• $238.4K for Indigenous impact assessment capacity building projects under the theme of incorporating GBA Plus into the impact assessment.
• $18.9K to facilitate participation in the Northern Participant Funding Program's in-person engagement sessions held in Yellowknife, Norman Wells and Iqaluit.
• $49.7K in grants to participate in the Mary River Mine Project regulatory consultations, technical meetings for the Mackenzie Valley Highway environmental assessment, and an Indigenous traditional land use study for the Pine Point Mine environmental assessment.

Over the course of 2024–25, CIRNAC continued to support Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy and worked with northern governments, rights holders, and stakeholders in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut to design and implement actions under the Northern Regulatory Initiative (NRI). This included $4.9M dedicated to support participation of otherwise unfunded Indigenous governments and organizations in impact assessment and land use planning processes; planning for a regional study of the Slave Geological Province (NWT); launching Indigenous-led baseline and cumulative effects studies in the Yukon; and advancing regulatory dialogues and actions. Overall, these actions led to increased awareness of regulatory issues and advancement of common priorities; improved data and information availability to support sound decision-making; increased community readiness to participate in regulatory processes and economic opportunities; and progress towards regulatory tools for industry.

Finally, as part of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada-led Marine Conservation Targets horizontal initiative, CIRNAC supported 48 projects in priority areas for marine conservation across the North. These projects—led by academia, government, and Indigenous organizations—focused on environmental protection; subsistence harvesting and food security; conservation of marine ecosystems; impacts of environmental and climate change on wildlife; monitoring of marine species; habitat health; ecosystem stressors; oil contamination in seabirds; and the use of Indigenous knowledge in conservation management. Additional research supported marine conservation through seabed composition studies and seafloor mapping. Projects were conducted in target areas to support existing and proposed conservation sites in Nunavut (Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, Qikiqtani) and Nunatsiavut, and to help inform marine planning in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

Table 9: Snapshot of resources required for Northern Affairs

Table 9 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase and the People section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Table 10: Resources required to achieve results for internal services this year

Table 10 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase and the People section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory.

CIRNAC results for 2024–25

As of March 31, 2025, the total value of traditional contracts and amendments awarded by CIRNAC in 2024–25 was $39 million. Of this amount, $1.78 million (4.55%) was issued to Indigenous vendors for a wide range of services. The calculation is based on the total value of contracts, and not on expenditures.

Although not officially recognized under the Indigenous procurement policy, CIRNAC Indigenous procurement from the Indigenous Benefit Component of contracts issued by the Northern Contaminated Sites Program is significant. These are generally sub-contracts issued to Indigenous Suppliers. The tracking and accounting of these contracts is done on an annual expenditure basis and not as a bulk amount at time of contract award. As current reporting requirements state that the amount must be based at contract award, this work is not officially included in results but should be recognized as a significant achievement. The Northern Contaminated Sites Program also has a robust socio-economic component that includes significant investments in employment and training. Further work with ISC will be required to determine how these may be included.

The Northern Contaminated Sites Program Indigenous Benefit Components is estimated to be $172.6 million out of a total of $445 million, resulting in an Indigenous Benefit Component of 39%.

CIRNAC also remains committed to respecting the policy on all contracts issued in the Nunavut Settlement area having issued 8 contracts in the Nunavut Settlement area in 2024–25 totaling $1,421,932.38.

All procurement staff are well trained in the various tools targeting Indigenous procurement and CIRNAC procurement support actively participated in numerous working groups and committees for the ongoing development of the policy and reporting of Indigenous procurement.

Table 11: Actual 3-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

Table 11 shows the money that CIRNAC spent in each of the past 3 years on its core responsibilities and on internal services.

Analysis of 2024–25 Total authorities available for use versus 2024–25 Planned Spending and actuals

CIRNAC's total authorities available for use in 2024–25 were $17,944 million. This represents an increase of $7,031 million (64%) from the 2024–25 Main Estimates amount of $10,913 million. The increase is mainly due to new and reprofiled funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for the following initiatives:

• Reprofiled funding for Agricultural benefits claims ($1,768 million)
• Reprofiled funding for Specific claim settlements ($1,460 million)
• New and reprofiled funding for Federal Indian Day Schools (McLean) Settlement ($1,433 million)
• New funding for Land-related claims ($533 million)
• New funding for Historical claims settlement ($448 million)

The variance of $3,695 million between CIRNAC's 2024–25 total authorities available for use ($17,944 million) and the 2024–25 actual spending ($14,250 million) is mainly due to the deferral of funds for targeted initiatives. Specifically, this includes funding related to the negotiation and resolution of specific claims and litigation outcomes, which depend on factors beyond the department's control. The reprofiling of these funds aligns with the volume of claims received and the anticipated payment timelines for settlements such as:

• Specific claim settlements ($1,119 million)
• Federal Indian Day Schools (McLean) Settlement ($771 million)
• Federal Indian Boarding Homes (Percival) Litigation ($555 million)
• Agricultural benefits claims ($443 million)
• Compensation related to past annuity payments with Treaty 8 First Nations ($393 million)

Analysis of the past 3 years of spending

CIRNAC's actual spending for 2024–25 was $14,250 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of $2,101 million (13%) from the 2023–24 actual spending of $16,351 million. This decrease is primarily driven by reduced funding for the following initiatives:

• Restoule Settlement (-$5,000 million)
• Gottfriedson Band Class Settlement Agreement (-$2,820 million)

These decreases were partially offset by increased funding for:

• Agricultural benefits claims ($4,636 million)
• Land-related claims ($520 million)
• Historical claims settlement ($448 million)
• James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) payments ($230.7 million)

See the 2023–24 Departmental Results Report for additional details on year-over-year actual spending variances between 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase offers more financial information from previous years.

Analysis of the next 3 years of spending

For the period of 2025–26 to 2026–27, spending is expected to decrease from $13,040 million to $7,756 million. This decrease of $5,284 million is mainly due to reduced funding for the following initiatives:

• Whitesand/Robinson Superior Treaty Annuities Claims (-$1,820 million)
• Specific claim settlements (-$1,576 million)
• Land-related claims and litigation settlements (-$1,626 million)

For the period of 2026–27 to 2027–28, spending is expected to decrease from $7,756 million to $5,538 million. The decrease of $2,218 million is mainly due to reduced funding for the following initiatives:

• Agricultural benefits claims (-$1,000 million)
• Compensation related to past annuity payments with Treaty 8 First Nations (-$593 million)
• Federal Indian Hospitals (Hardy) Litigation (-$224 million)
• Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (-$132 million)

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase offers more detailed financial information related to future years.

Analysis of budgetary actual gross and net planned spending summary

The revenues netted against expenditures in the table above are for the provision of internal support services under section 29.2 of the Financial Administration Act. CIRNAC provides internal support services to another department, including audit and legal services, correspondence management and reporting services, and access to information and privacy services.

The Finances section of the Infographic for CIRNAC on GC Infobase offers information on the alignment of CIRNAC's spending with Government of Canada's spending and activities.

Table 15: Condensed Statement of Operations (unaudited or audited) for 2023–24 and 2024–25 (dollars)

Table 15 summarizes actual expenses and revenues and shows the net cost of operations before government funding and transfers.

Table 18: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

Table 18 shows the planned full-time equivalents for each of CIRNAC's core responsibilities and for its internal services for the next 3 years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecast based on year to date.