2024-2025 Details of transfer payment programs

Transfer payments for Basic Organizational Capacity

This program was removed in 2023-24. Program activities are included in the new Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support Program to better support results-based management and reporting.

Transfer payments for Consultation and Accommodation

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program: 2021-22
• Contributions to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2020-21

Link to departmental results: Indigenous Peoples advance their governance institutions and regimes

Link to department's Program Inventory: Consultation and Accommodation

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Consultation and Accommodation is underway and is expected to be completed in 2025-26. An Evaluation of the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative, led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is planned by March 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: Funding provided under Budget 2021 for the Federal Initiative on Consultation (FIC) concluded in March 2024. However, CIRNAC reallocated funds to continue supporting the initiative to help partners enhance their consultation capacity. This included the successful completion of 1 new consultation protocol and 1 amended protocol. Through continued support of the initiative, CIRNAC successfully maintained well-established partnerships grounded in respect for rights and agreed-upon consultation processes to determine and advance shared priorities.

Additionally, engagement to renew the 2011 Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult was launched in the winter of 2024 and is currently in the second phase. In 2024-25, 323 participants from 223 Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada collaborated via 18 in-person and 2 virtual engagement sessions. To date, data gathered through engagement activities and written submissions has been used to create engagement records and summaries, a "What We Learned" report, and a companion report, all of which will inform the development of renewed consultation guidelines.

Explanation of variances: The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects the internal realignment of funds between programs for the funding to engage on whole-of-government approach to consultation (+$9.8M).

Transfer payments for Consultation and Policy Development

This program was removed in 2023-24. Some program activities are included in the new Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support Program, and other activities are included in the new Indigenous-led Services Program to better support results-based management and reporting.

Transfer payments for Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program

This program was removed in 2023-24. Some program activities are included in the new Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support Program, and other activities are included in the new Indigenous-led Services Program to better support results-based management and reporting.

Transfer payments for First Nation Jurisdiction over Land and Fiscal Management

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grant to the First Nations Finance Authority pursuant to the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act: 2013-14
• Contributions to support Indigenous governments and institutions, and to build strong governance: 2023-24
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15

Link to departmental results:

• Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development
• Indigenous Peoples advance their governance institutions and regimes
• Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Link to department's Program Inventory: First Nation Jurisdiction over Land and Fiscal Management

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of First Nation Jurisdiction over Land and Fiscal Management is planned by March 2029.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: The First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA) and its institutions provide First Nations with a framework to manage their financial, fiscal and infrastructure affairs outside of the Indian Act. It also provides them with access to long-term, low-interests loans for their socio-economic development projects. CIRNAC has continued to engage with the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Finance Authority and the First Nations Infrastructure Institute on a regular basis through calls, formal meetings, and correspondence on matters related to the ongoing operations of the institutions (e.g. strategic planning and corporate plans), the advancement of project proposals, and enhancements to the FNFMA. As part of this work, CIRNAC has also engaged with modern treaty and self-governing First Nations, the British Columbia government, and other Indigenous organizations.

The department continues to engage with First Nations in collaboration with Indigenous organizations on options to redesign the Additions to Reserve (ATR) Policy. Engagement for the purpose of co-developing a redesigned ATR Policy occurred primarily at a Technical Advisory Committee made up of First Nations, First Nation organizations, and key federal departments involved in the ATR process. The committee brings together technical experts to provide advice and help facilitate the development of policy options for a streamlined approach to ATR Policy redesign. In 2024, the committee co-developed 9 interim changes to the ATR Policy, which focused on reducing restrictive requirements and streamlining the process. A total of 2 changes were implemented immediately, while co-development of an implementation plan for the remaining 7 interim changes is underway. Building on previous year's progress, recommendations provided by First Nations across Canada will be considered at the Technical Advisory Committee in the co-development of options for a broader ATR Policy redesign.

Explanation of variances: The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects the funding reallocation between programs (-$1.5M) to support financial pressure.

Transfer payments for Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grant under the Innovative Solutions Canada program
• Engagement on a pilot project for the creation of a Red Dress Alert (Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1, Section 264)
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• Contributions to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2020-21
• Contributions to support Indigenous governments and institutions, and to build strong governance: 2023-24
• Contributions to support Métis housing: 2018-19
• Contributions to support the basic organizational capacity of Indigenous representative organizations: 2017-18
• Contributions to support the wellbeing of families and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people: 2020-21
• Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program: 2014-15
• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2018-19
• Contributions for Métis Nation Early Learning Child Care: 2023-24

Link to departmental results: Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development

Link to department's Program Inventory: Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. A Thematic Evaluation of Building Capacity and Supports for Indigenous-led Services (i.e., combines the "Evaluation of Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support" and the "Evaluation of Indigenous-led Services" into a single evaluation) is planned by March 2028.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: CIRNAC consulted with recipients primarily through the review of project reports and strategic and financial plans, which supported alignment on shared priorities.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects:

• incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for engagement on a pilot project for the creation of Red Dress Alert (+$1.1M)
• the internal realignment of funds between programs (-$151.8M), mostly for the Indigenous early learning child care

Transfer payments for Indigenous-led Services

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to implement comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements and other agreements to address section 35 rights: 2018-19
• Grant to the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to establish the Saimaqatigiingniq Fund: 2021-22
• Grant to Makivik Corporation (Makivvik) for the establishment of a reconciliatory response to the Nunavik Dog Slaughter: 2024-25
• Contributions for Métis Nation Early Learning Child Care: 2023-24
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• Contributions to support Métis housing: 2018-19
• Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program: 2014-15
• Contributions to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2019-20

Link to departmental results:

• Indigenous Peoples strengthen their socio-economic conditions and well-being
• Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Link to department's Program Inventory: Indigenous-led Services

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. An Audit of Indigenous-led Services is underway and expected to be completed by May 2026.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. A Thematic Evaluation of Building Capacity and Supports for Indigenous-led Services (i.e., combines the "Evaluation of Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support" and the "Evaluation of Indigenous-led Services" into a single evaluation) is planned by March 2028.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: Significant engagement was undertaken, and regular contact was maintained through established bilateral and multilateral forums, including the Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects:

• incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates:
  • to implement the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy (+$30.2M)
  • for the federal response to the Nunavik Dog Slaughter (+$25M)
• internal realignment of funds between programs for the following:
  • Indigenous early learning child care (+$137M)
  • Métis/Inuit Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund ($172M)

Transfer payments for Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to implement comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements and other agreements to address section 35 rights: 2018-19
• (S) Grants to Aboriginal organizations designated to receive claim settlement payments pursuant to comprehensive land claim settlement acts: Please refer to Final Agreements and Related Implementation Matters webpage.
• Grants to First Nations to settle specific claims negotiated by Canada and/or awarded by the Specific Claims Tribunal, and to Indigenous groups to settle special claims: 2018-19
• Grants to reimburse treaty negotiation loans to Indigenous groups who have settled a comprehensive land claim: 2019-20
• Grant to the Métis Nation British Columbia from the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund: 2021-22
• Contributions to support the negotiation and implementation of treaties, claims and self-government agreements or initiatives: 2018-19
• Contributions to support the construction and maintenance of community infrastructure: 2016-17
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15

Link to departmental results: Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development

Link to Department's Program Inventory: Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. An Audit of the Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties is planned by October 2026.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of the Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties is planned by March 2028.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: CIRNAC engaged with modern treaty and self-governing partners across Canada through Implementation Committees and similar forums. These meetings, where Indigenous partners, federal departments and agencies, and where applicable, provincial and territorial governments meet to ensure meaningful implementation of agreements, are held to promote collaboration in fulfilling obligations. Between April 2024 and March 2025, 85 Implementation Committees were held across Canada.

In June 2024, the program's engagement with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey led to the announcement of more than $16M per year to support education infrastructure and governance. This was an important step toward strengthening education self-governance and supporting better education outcomes for approximately 3,000 students in 12 of the 13 Mi'kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia. Also, in October 2024, the program's engagement with the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body of the Anishinabek Sectoral Self-Government Education Agreement led to the announcement of more than $20M per year to support education infrastructure and governance. This was an important step toward strengthening education self-governance and supporting better education outcomes for the approximately 2,000 students in 23 of the 39 Anishinabek First Nations in Ontario. These initiatives ensure that communities and students have the resources they need to succeed while remaining connected to their culture and language.

While engagement was somewhat limited during prorogation and the election, CIRNAC remained actively engaged with partners in key working groups to support ongoing initiatives and to address treaty or self-government implementation matters, often including territorial and provincial government representatives. Close collaboration was undertaken to understand and assess partners' requests for supplemental funding and evolving funding needs. This proactive coordination supports alignment with strategic priorities and helps facilitate timely, informed decision-making.

CIRNAC also launched consultation and engagement on a draft legislative proposal to create the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation which ran from May 28 to July 19, 2024. Over 130 partners, including Indigenous modern treaty partners, Indigenous groups negotiating a modern treaty, stand-alone self-government arrangement holders, sectoral agreement holders, national Indigenous organizations, and provincial and territorial governments received the proposal. By the end of the consultation and engagement period, CIRNAC received 112 proposed changes to the draft legislative proposal. Over the summer and early fall of 2024, officials engaged with Indigenous modern treaty partners to discuss the proposed changes and developed a second version of the draft legislative proposal. A ministerial roundtable was held on September 24, 2024, where the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations met with Indigenous modern treaty leadership on the proposed approach for the Commissioner. All parties present signaled their support for the revised draft legislative proposal and urged Canada to move forward with introduction of legislation as expeditiously as possible.

Furthermore, CIRNAC has engaged with Indigenous modern treaty partners and self-government arrangement holders through structured mechanisms like the Intergovernmental Leader's Forum and Intergovernmental Policy Circle, which enable focused discussion on shared priorities such as economic prosperity, toxic drugs, and emergency management. For example, a number of Policy Circle sub-working group meetings were held with partners as well as leadership from relevant government departments, including Indigenous Services Canada and Public Safety, to share specific detail with regards to barriers related to emergency management in the context of increasing wildfires. The second annual Leader's Forum was held in May of 2024, where the Prime Minister announced the government's intent to move forward with the creation of a Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation as an agent of Parliament.

CIRNAC has also engaged with Indigenous modern treaty partners at the working level, particularly to address implementation objectives outlined in Canada's Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy. Outside of the caretaker convention and election period, an average of 1-2 partner engagements were held per month to advance commitments through the policy, the Leader's Forum, or the Policy Circle.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects:

• incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates :
  • funding for the Indigenous Health Equity Fund (+$56.1M)
  • funding to establish a National School Food Program (+$10.6M)
• internal realignment of funds between programs for the following :
  • payment related to James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (+$230.7M)

Transfer payments for Negotiations of Treaties, Self-Government Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to reimburse treaty negotiation loans to indigenous groups who have settled a comprehensive land claim: 2019-20
• Contributions to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2019-20
• Contributions to support Indigenous governments and institutions, and to build strong governance: 2023-24
• Contributions to support the negotiation and implementation of treaties, claims and self-government agreements or initiatives: 2018-19
• Contributions to support Indigenous Nation Rebuilding Initiative: 2021-22
• Contributions to support the establishment and revitalization of cultural spaces in Indigenous communities: 2021-22
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15

Link to departmental results: Indigenous Peoples determine their political, economic, social and cultural development

Link to department's Program Inventory: Negotiation of Treaties, Self-Government Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. An Audit of Negotiation of Treaties, Self-Government Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements is underway and expected to be completed in 2025-26.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Negotiations of Treaties, Self Government Agreements and Other Constructive Arrangements is planned by March 2029.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: There were no engagement initiatives in 2024-25.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects :

• the incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for funding to advance the right to self-determination through treaties, agreements, and other constructive arrangements (+$28.3M), and
• the internal realignment of funds between programs (-$10.8M) to support funding pressure.

Transfer payments for Other Claims

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program: 2021-22

Link to departmental result(s): Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Link to Department's Program Inventory: Other Claims

Results achieved: Performance results for this transfer payment program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. There are no future evaluations planned or underway for this program, as there is currently no requirement to inform major policy or spending decisions related to this program.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: There were no engagement initiatives in 2024-25.

Explanation of variances: Not applicable

Transfer payments for Residential Schools Legacy

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grant to the University of Manitoba to support the construction of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's new headquarters: 2022-23
• Grant to the Government of Manitoba to support a search of the Prairie Green Landfill: 2024-25
• Contributions to address the legacy of residential schools: 2024-25

Link to departmental result(s): Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Link to Department's Program Inventory: Residential Schools Legacy

Results achieved: Performance results for this transfer payment program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Residential Schools Legacy is planned by March 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: The Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund was established in 2021 after Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc identified 215 anomalies near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The program supports Indigenous communities in leading efforts to locate, identify and document burial sites linked to the 140 residential schools in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) and 5 residential schools included in the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Anderson).

In 2024-25, CIRNAC continued to support Indigenous applicants through consultations, proposal reviews, and funding recommendations to advance these community-led initiatives. This begins with consultations and negotiations on project proposals and initiatives, followed by application assessments and funding recommendations. Eligible recipients receive continued support from the program, which includes guidance with program delivery, when sought, as well as support with maintaining program compliance (e.g. reporting). The program also welcomes feedback on funding from partners. There are currently 76 lead communities advancing investigations at 89 of the 140 former residential schools (some recipients lead initiatives on multiple schools).

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is a key partner of the Residential Schools Legacy Program. In 2024-25, CIRNAC provided $2.33M to support the NCTR's continuing efforts to implement Call to Action 72 (National Residential School Student Death Register and public-facing Memorial Register) and Call to Action 73 (National Residential School Cemetery Register).

The NCTR and CIRNAC also co-administered the National Advisory Committee, which continued to work with survivors and provided independent, trusted, and expert information in areas such as Indigenous laws and cultural protocols, forensics, archaeology, archival research, and criminal investigations to Indigenous communities. Guided by a Circle of Survivors, comprising First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation members, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) ensured that survivors' voices and perspectives remained central to the Committee's work. In 2024-25, CIRNAC provided $2.29M to the NAC, who held information webinars to support communities' efforts to search for their missing children and held knowledge sharing gatherings in Quebec City, Quebec; Vancouver, British Columbia; Whitehorse, Yukon; and Calgary, Alberta. Funding for the NAC concluded in March 2025.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for :

• funding for the continued implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 74 to 76 (+$27.2M)
• funding for the Government of Manitoba to support a Search of the Prairie Green Landfill (+$20M)

Transfer payments for Specific Claims

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to First Nations to settle specific claims negotiated by Canada and/or awarded by the Specific Claims Tribunal, and to Indigenous groups to settle special claims: 2024-25
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• Contributions to support the negotiation and implementation of treaties, claims and self-government agreements or initiatives: 2018-19

Link to departmental results: Past injustices are recognized and resolved

Link to department's Program Inventory: Specific Claims

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. An Audit of Specific Claims is planned by May 2027.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Specific Claims is planned by March 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: CIRNAC works with First Nations to resolve outstanding specific claims, such as for unfulfilled treaty obligations or improper land management, through negotiated settlements. The specific claims process is voluntary for First Nations and provides an alternative way to resolve disputes outside of the courts. In 2024-25, Canada and the Assembly of First Nations continued the co-development of options to reform the specific claims process. In June 2024 a co-developed discussion paper was made public for feedback from First Nations. Canada also engaged with First Nations, representative organizations, and other stakeholders throughout the country to seek input on proposed reforms.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects the funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for:

• reprofiled funding for Agricultural Benefits Specific Claims Settlements (+$1,767.7M)
• new funding to settle land-related claims (+$532.7M)
• new funding for the Settlement of Historical Claims (+$447.9M)
• new funding to settle land-related claims and litigation (+$392.4M)

These increases were partially offset by the deferral of funds to future years for:

• Agricultural Benefits Specific Claims Settlement (-$442.6M)
• Annuity Compensation Payments with Treaty 8 First Nations (-$392.9M)

In addition, an internal realignment was made between programs to support payments under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (-$230.7 M)

Transfer payments for Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development for Indigenous Peoples and the North: 2022-23
• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2020-21
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15

Link to departmental results: Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environments

Link to department's Program Inventory: Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: An Audit of the Climate Change Adaptation Program was completed in 2024-25. Overall, the Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy Program demonstrated strong governance structures, strong collaboration, effective communication processes, resource allocation, stakeholder collaboration, and solid performance measurement practices. Opportunities for improvement were identified, including enhancing awareness of program and funding opportunities, strengthening training consistency and execution, improving tracking of project information, implementing additional review controls over internal data and reporting, standardizing tools and processes in project approval, improving data collection instrument template tracking, and developing a structured and documented process for integrating feedback from Indigenous communities. The audit resulted in 3 recommendations. Management has accepted the recommendations, and has developed a management action plan to address them.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy is expected to be completed by March 2027. Also, an Evaluation of Adapting to Impacts of Climate Change (Roll-up of departmental evaluations, horizontal, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada) is planned by March 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: As part of the Indigenous Climate Leadership (ICL) Agenda, CIRNAC and ECCC engaged with Indigenous partners to identify climate priorities and develop recommendations for supporting self-determined climate action. The 2024-25 fiscal year saw the conclusion of the ICL Agenda's co-development process which culminated in the submission of 37 region-specific climate recommendations from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments and representative organizations. Recommendations reaffirm previous engagement and include new ways to improve access to and the delivery of transfer payments to Indigenous recipients, which are relevant to the program, broader CIRNAC transfer payment programs, and other government departments.

Explanation of variances: The difference between planned spending and actual spending results from transfers from Other Government Department through the Supplementary Estimates (+$615.7K).

Transfer payments for Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2020-21

Link to departmental results: Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environments

Link to Department's Program Inventory: Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: An Evaluation of CIRNAC's Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability Program (NAES) was completed in 2024-25. Overall, the program is responsive to the priorities of the federal government and its obligations at the national and international levels. Its various initiatives—such as the Northern Contaminants Program, Environmental Assessment, Land Use Planning and Conservation, Northern Participant Funding Program, and Regional Partnership and Research—are fulfilling their responsibilities, conducting necessary and impactful work and are committed to engaging with Indigenous communities and empowering Indigenous knowledge. The evaluation identified that there are some design elements of NAES that need to improve to address capacity issues within the program, develop capacity over the long term, support more effective performance measurement, and direct initiatives towards a collaborative and holistic approach within NAES. The evaluation resulted in 4 recommendations. Management acknowledged the findings of the evaluation report, and has developed a management response and action plan to address them.

Additionally, various evaluations are planned as follows:

• An Evaluation of Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability is planned by March 2030.
• An Evaluation of the Marine Conservation Targets Horizontal Initiative, led by Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), is underway and expected to be completed by December 2025.
• A Horizontal Evaluation of the Advancing a Circular Plastics Economy Initiative, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is expected to be completed by March 2027.
• An Evaluation of the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative, led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), is planned by March 2027.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: There were no formal marine planning and conservation engagement initiatives in 2024-25. As planned, CIRNAC remains in contact with relevant Inuit organizations, on an ad-hoc basis, to ensure appropriate research priorities are addressed and that work funded by CIRNAC is supported by regional organizations.

Under the Northern Regulatory Initiative, engagement continued for activities initiated in 2024-25. This included in-person, virtual and ad-hoc meetings, as well as written communications to inform the planning of a regional study and Indigenous-led cumulative effects studies related to critical minerals and supporting infrastructure development in each of the territories.

Consultation on the renewed and expanded Northern Participant Funding Program continued in 2024-25, with in-person engagement sessions held in the Northwest Territories (Norman Wells and Yellowknife) and in Nunavut (Iqaluit). Special efforts were made to include a variety of GBA Plus related organizations. Program staff are also in frequent contact with existing and potential recipients, resource co-management boards, and others, and take advantage of available opportunities at workshops and other relevant events to engage with program stakeholders.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects :

• the deferral of funding for more inclusive Indigenous participation in northern environmental decision-making (-$1M)
• the internal realignment of funds between programs (-$1.06M) to fund pressures

Transfer payments for Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut for health care of Indians and Inuit: 2020-21
• Grants for the political evolution of the Territories, particularly as it pertains to devolution: 2014-15
• Grants to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2021-22
• Contributions to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2019-20
• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2019-20

Link to departmental results: Political, economic and social development in Canada's Arctic and North are advanced

Link to department's Program Inventory:

• Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships
• Northern Strategic and Science Policy

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: An Evaluation of the Northern and Arctic Governance Partnerships Program (NAGP) was completed in 2024-25. The NAGP is a complex program system made up of largely independent parts with limited interconnectivity between the activities. While it shows potential for adaptability and dynamic interaction—as illustrated through recent housing and infrastructure activities—there is a need to test the assumptions and more concretely integrate the contextual factors influencing program activities. More precisely, the evaluation found that:

• By not fully integrating Indigenous Peoples into all program activities, the program is misaligned with reconciliation and, specifically, renewed Crown-Indigenous and Inuit-Crown relationships.
• The program is complex and it must be adaptive to changing needs, but there was no evidence that work was undertaken during the evaluation period to strengthen program cohesion so that the whole was greater then the sum of its parts.
• By not producing stable, reliable, and valid performance data, the current performance measurement strategy negatively impacts the ability to inform decision-making and to effectively track program progress over time.

The evaluation resulted in 3 recommendations. Management has welcomed the findings and recommendations, and has developed a management response and action plan to address them.

An Evaluation of Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships, including Grants to the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut for health care of Indians and Inuit, is planned by March 2030.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25:

Northwest Territories Devolution: The department continued its ongoing engagement with the Government of the Northwest Territories and 9 Indigenous parties to the Northwest Territories Land and Resources Devolution Agreement. Funding agreements with Indigenous parties to the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement were completed in the summer of 2024. This funding helps Indigenous parties play a role in managing post-devolution land and resources with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Nunavut Devolution Implementation Grants: CIRNAC is now engaging with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to implement the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. In 2024, the department signed a funding agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to cover 50% of the costs associated with their participation in the final agreement implementation and related transitional activities. Additionally, CIRNAC signed a funding agreement with the Government of Nunavut to support the implementation of the Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy and related transitional activities. The department also signed protocol agreements with Indigenous groups to undertake Section 35 consultations regarding the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

Nunavut Capacity-Building Contribution: The department engaged with the Government of Nunavut to discuss its financial management systems. In 2024-25, CIRNAC and the Government of Nunavut continued to implement the agreement that they had signed in March 2023, to help the territory undertake activities such as developing their public accounts strategy and financial information system to improve its financial management capacity.

Hospital and Physician Services Grant: The department had regular ongoing engagements with the Government of Nunavut and Government of the Northwest Territories. In the spring of 2024, the department signed a grant agreement with the Governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories which continues to reimburse them a portion of the costs incurred to provide hospital and physician services to Indigenous residents.

Housing and Infrastructure funding: As part of the distinctions-based approach in which funding is provided to territorial governments, and Indigenous groups residing in Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, the department regularly engages with funding recipients on matters related to housing and infrastructure. In 2024, the department signed funding agreements with Indigenous groups in relation to the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy with funds announced in Budget 2023, which call for recipients to address housing priorities in their respective communities. Furthermore, the department continues to disseminate funds to Métis communities in the Northwest Territories as announced in Budget 2022.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects the incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for :

• funding to implement the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Strategy (+$8.9M)
• funding for advancing post-secondary education in Canada's Arctic and North (+$2.6M)

Transfer payments for Northern Contaminated Sites

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grant to support the Giant Mine Oversight Board and research on arsenic trioxide: 2018−19
• Transfer payments to the Government of Yukon for the care and maintenance, remediation and management of the closure of contaminated sites in Yukon: 2013−14
• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2019-20

Link to departmental results: Northern lands, waters and natural resources are sustainably managed

Link to department's Program Inventory: Northern Contaminated Sites

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. A Horizontal Evaluation of Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, Phase IV, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada, was completed in April 2025. Also, an Evaluation of the Northern Contaminated Sites Program is planned by March 2028.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: In 2024-25, the department continued to engage affected Indigenous and northern communities on contaminated sites projects as part of its commitment to reconciliation. Engagement activities took place at multiple stages of the project lifecycle and focused on understanding the historical impacts of contamination on Indigenous lands and cultures, informing remediation planning and implementation, and supporting co-developed governance models. Communities were also engaged in the development of agreements aimed at advancing employment, training, and business opportunities. The department will continue to seek ways to leverage opportunities for Indigenous People to participate in and benefit from the management of contaminated sites in the North.

Explanation of variances: The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects the deferral of funding for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (-$3.1M).

Transfer payments for Northern Regulatory and Legislative Frameworks

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Contribution for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources and promoting scientific development: 2019-20

Link to departmental results: Political, economic and social development in Canada's Arctic and North are advanced

Link to department's Program Inventory: Northern Regulatory and Legislative Frameworks

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. There are no future evaluations planned or underway for this program.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: CIRNAC engaged with applicants and recipients in 2024-25 through planned dialogue sessions and section 35 consultations, and through informal channels including written communications, virtual and ad-hoc meetings. These engagements were conducted to ensure that work funded by the department to advance common priorities is supported by regional partners.

Explanation of variances: The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for funding to support the Inuvialuit participation in the implementation and administration of the Western Arctic - Tariuq (Offshore) Accord (+$522.5K). This increase was offset by the internal realignment of funds to other programs to fund pressures (-$761K).

Transfer payments for Nutrition North

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to land claim organizations, self-government agreement holders and First Nations organizations to support harvesting of country foods: 2019-20
• Grants to Universities and Indigenous Institutions for the Purpose of Research Related to Food Security and its Causal Factors: 2022-23
• Contributions to support access to healthy foods in isolated northern communities: 2019-20
• Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014-15
• (S) Contributions to support access to healthy foods in isolated northern communities: 2020-21

Link to departmental results: Northern and Indigenous communities are resilient to changing environments

Link to department's Program Inventory: Nutrition North

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. A Horizontal Evaluation of Nutrition North Canada (NNC), led by CIRNAC, is underway and expected to be completed in 2025-26. An external review led by the Minister's Special Representative is also underway. A final report is anticipated in 2026.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: CIRNAC works directly with Indigenous and northern partners in support of ongoing improvements to the program. This includes regular engagements with the NNC Advisory Board, the NNC Indigenous Working Group, the Inuit-Crown Food Security Working Group, and the Minister's Special Representative. These engagements support and strengthen the delivery of NNC programming by exploring culturally appropriate, locally-led solutions.

CIRNAC also works with Indigenous recipient groups that benefit from the Harvesters Support Grant and the Community Food Programs Fund. This work directly supports reconciliation and commitments made to these groups with respect to joint measurement of results. The department held a research symposium, attended by the Minister, in December 2024 to share results and continue discussions on locally-led solutions that will improve NNC.

Explanation of variances:

The difference between planned spending and actual spending primarily reflects incremental funding provided through Supplementary Estimates for :

• Funding for the Northern Food Sovereignty (+$56.2M)
• The internal realignment of funds between programs (+$9.2M)

Transfer payments for Northern Strategic and Science Policy

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriation: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Financial information table.

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program and fiscal year for terms and conditions:

• Grants to promote social and political development in the North and for Northerners: 2021-22
• Contributions for promoting the safe use, development, conservation and protection of the North's natural resources, and promoting scientific development: 2019-20

Link to departmental results: Political, economic and social development in Canada's Arctic and North are advanced

Link to department's Program Inventory: Northern Strategic and Science Policy

Results achieved: Performance results for this program are available in GC InfoBase.

Findings of audits completed in 2024-25: No audit was completed in 2024-25. Currently, there are no future audits planned or underway for this program.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25: No evaluation was completed in 2024-25. An Evaluation of Northern Strategic and Science Policy is underway and expected to be completed by March 2026.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25: Engagement is ongoing with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to identify their key priorities through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. Further engagement is ongoing with recipients of funding through Budget 2019 and 2021 towards northern post-secondary education initiatives.

Explanation of variances: not applicable