Appearance before Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs - Budget 2025 - The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand (November 17, 2025)

Logistics

Date: November 17, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Room 415, Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street

Appearing

Committee Membership

• MP Terry Sheehan (LIB – ON) (Chair)
• MP Jaime Battiste (LIB – NS)
• MP Philip Earle (LIB – NFD)
• MP Ginette Lavack (LIB – MB)
• MP Brendan Hanley (LIB – YK)
• MP Jamie Schmale (CPC – ON) (Vice-Chair)
• MP Eric Melillo (CPC – ON)
• MP Billy Morin (CPC – AB)
• MP Bob Zimmer (CPC – BC)
• MP Sébastien Lemire (BQ – QC) (Vice-Chair)

Parliamentary Analysis

• MP Terry Sheehan (LIB) (Chair) was previously a Parliamentary Secretary for FedNor. He may ask questions about indigenous entrepreneurship culture, participation in the forestry industry, regional economic development agencies, and economic reconciliation.
• MP Jaime Battiste (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, has been a strong advocate for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues throughout his career. He may ask questions about Jordan’s Principle, as well safe drinking water in Indigenous communities. During officials’ appearances on Main Estimates, he asked about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the government’s efforts towards implementing the TRC’s calls to action.
• MP Philip Earle (LIB) may ask questions about Arctic sovereignty and security, Indigenous consultation on major projects and the One Canadian Economy Act, and diesel power generation replacement in the North.
• MP Ginette Lavack (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, may ask questions that pertain to clean energy and climate action.
• MP Brendan Hanley (LIB), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, may ask questions specific to his riding, Yukon. He may ask about self-governance for Indigenous communities, specifically those in his riding. He may also ask questions on Northern economic development and support for Indigenous-owned businesses.
• MP Jaime Schmale (CPC) (Vice-Chair) is also the CPC Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations. He will likely highlight economic reconciliation in his questions. He may ask questions related to: the department’s progress on payments for out-of-court settlements; the Nutrition North Canada Program’s targets and timelines; updates about MMIWG recommendations and a Red Dress Alert, and be critical of how slow the Government has been to act on this; the failure to provide Indigenous communities with support to manage environmental emergencies like floods and wildfires; and remaining boil water advisories on reserves and ISC’s failure to provide Indigenous communities with support to manage environmental emergencies like floods and wildfires. He has previously asked about measuring outcomes for Indigenous housing, and why increased funding has not led to better outcomes.
• MP Eric Melillo (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. He may ask questions about food insecurity, medical transportation in northern and remote communities, the Grassy Narrows care facility, and infrastructure gaps in Indigenous communities. He may criticize the Nutrition North program and ask what steps are being taken to lower food costs in the North. His questions will likely support an economic reconciliation approach.
• MP Bob Zimmer (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Arctic Affairs & Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. He has previously asked for breakdowns of funding for several Specific Claims by community. He may ask questions about the funding for the Nutrition North Canada Program needing to benefit people rather than corporations, as well as about Arctic security and defence. He may ask questions regarding boil water advisories in Indigenous communities and cancelled or delayed critical infrastructure projects in Nunavut. In recent meetings, he has been asking questions about the federal gun buy-back program.
• MP Billy Morin (CPC) is the CPC Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services and he was formerly a Chief of the Enoch Cree Nation (2015 – 2022). He may ask questions about infrastructure and business development – with a focus on Edmonton area examples. He may also ask questions related to the responsible development of natural resources.
• MP Sébastien Lemire (BQ) (Vice-Chair) is also the BQ critic for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. He may ask questions related to funding for the TRC’s Calls to Action, wildfires, water insecurity, and housing. During last year’s appearance by officials on Main Estimates, he asked about mental heath services available for Indigenous youth, the Yänonhchia’ housing initiative, the Indigenous and northern infrastructure gap, as well as Indigenous housing programs and supports.

Recent INAN studies, reports and government responses

• Indigenous Policing and Public Safety Study
• Report 1: First Nations, Inuit and Métis Identity and Participation in Federal Procurement (presented to the House: October 23, 2025)
• Barriers to Indigenous Economic Development Study

Recent Correspondence

Members OPQs/Petitions

• MP Schmale - OPQ-71 - PBO - Spending on informatics services, in 2022-23
• MP Schmale – OPQ-535 - Indigenous Art Collection managed by the Indigenous Art Centre

In the Media

• Nunavut MP says kids are starving, as Liberals' budget sparks debate about potential impacts | CBC News
• Indigenous leaders decry budget’s lack of money for key reconciliation programs | CBC News
• Indigenous programs face $2.3B in cuts, some new money in Carney’s 1st budget | CBC News
• Federal budget 'does not reflect the needs of First Nations': Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | CBC News
• First Nations educators worry 'ominous' funding letter will further impact classroom quality | CBC News
• First Nation and Canada begin legal battle over 'grossly underfunded’ on-reserve schools | CBC News
• Indigenous Services ignored 18 out of 34 recommendations
• FSIN 'strongly disputes’ results of ISC forensic audit
• Canada government audit shows 132 artworks unaccounted for
• Repatriating items from the Vatican will take care, say local First Nations | CBC News
• Federal land in Nanaimo, B.C., added to Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve lands | CBC News
• Report outlines how Indigenous survivors of coerced sterilization can pursue new pregnancies | CBC News
• Federal government wants medical experiment lawsuit dismissed
• 'Hopefully one day, people will hear us': Montrealers march for missing, murdered Indigenous women and girls | CBC News
• 500 Indigenous people in Sask. have complained about accessing health care: report | CBC Embedded-Only

Meeting Proceedings

The meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2025, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The Chair will call the meeting to order and provide instructions for the meeting proceedings. They will then introduce the witnesses and invite them to deliver opening remarks (limit of 5 minutes). Following the opening remarks, there will be rounds of questions from Committee.

It is recommended that all speakers speak at a moderate pace and at an appropriate volume to ensure they are heard by the interpreters. All witnesses are asked to mute their microphones unless they are speaking. A new practice that was recently instituted as a measure to protect interpreters from injury, is that when earpieces are not in use by witnesses, that they be placed on the designated white circles installed on the table.

Departmental Officials appearing as witnesses should avoid making commitments to parliamentarians outside of the meeting’s official proceedings. If a Member of Parliament or Senator approaches a witness asking for information, they should politely redirect that request to the Clerk of the Committee, who will then officially liaise with the Department.

The meeting can be watched via ParlVU, however there may be an up to 70-second delay with the webcast.

Other Information for Appearing In-Person

Witnesses should arrive early to allow time for security screening. Screening could take 30 minutes or more for those without a Hill pass.

Key Messages

• Budget 2025 is good news for Northerners. It will bring strong investments to the North, ensuring northern infrastructure is at the heart of Canada’s nation-building agenda. These investment will support economic development and job creation in Northern communities while also strengthening Canada’s sovereignty.
• To ensure that Indigenous and local voices are central to decisions through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, Budget 2025 proposed funding to the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, to help accelerate regulatory processes, including consultation, in the North. These investments will be key to ensuring the success of Arctic Infrastructure Fund projects.
• Budget 2025, also announced support for the Inuit Nunangat University, a key priority of Inuit Partners.
• I will lead the co-development of evidence-based food security approaches that better meet the high cost of living and affordability challenges faced by many Inuit and Northerners, building on the work of the Special Representative on Nutrition North Canada.
• I will work with colleagues on the comprehensive review of health care and health infrastructure in the North and will support the Minister of Indigenous Services on the cross-government Indigenous Housing Strategy.

Background

Key Data Points

• By the Numbers:
  • Current authorities: $78.8 million
  • Increase through Supplementary Estimates (B): $26.9 million
  • Total proposed authorities for 2025–26: $105.5 million
• Additional Budget 2025 Investments Impacting CanNor:
  • Budget 2025 provides for $41.7 million over four years, starting in 2025-26, to Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, to help accelerate regulatory processes in Canada’s North—including consultation with Indigenous governments and organisations, and local northern communities.
  • In addition, Budget 2025 proposes to provide $1 billion over four years, starting in 2025-26, to Transport Canada to create the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, which will invest in major transportation projects in the North with dual-use applications for civilian and military use, including airports, seaports, all-season roads, and highways.

Key Messages

• Budget 2025 recognizes CanNor’s leadership in Arctic economic development—accelerating project approvals, investing in transformative northern infrastructure, and fostering increased Indigenous participation in major projects and their supply chains.
• Budget 2025 investments related to the proposed Arctic Infrastructure Fund will enable CanNor to support a greater number of infrastructure projects across the territories to be approved and built within shorter timelines and with increased Indigenous and Northern participation.
• I look forward to working with the Minister of Transport Canada on how the implementation of the proposed Arctic Infrastructure Fund can strengthen Canada's sovereignty, support economic development and job creation in Northern communities, advance Indigenous economic reconciliation, and promote further trade diversification by opening new gateways to global markets.
• As Regional Development Agencies across Canada work to modernize their operations, CanNor will integrate new technologies and digital solutions to increase efficiency n to improve efficiency and client service, all while remaining laser-focused on investments that drive economic growth across the territories.

Current Status

• Progress to Date:
  • CanNor’s total authorities to date are $78.8 million, reflecting the 2025–26 Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (A), and the Operating Budget Carry-Forward.
  • Supplementary Estimates (B) introduce an additional $26.9 million, bringing proposed total authorities to $105.5 million for 2025–26.
• Next Steps:
  • Approval and allocation of Supplementary Estimates (B) items.
  • Develop an implementation framework for Budget 2025 Arctic Infrastructure Fund-related funding ($41.7 M / 4 yrs);
  • Collaborate with other Departments on Arctic Infrastructure Fund’s implementation;
  • Program realignment under RDA modernization, emphasizing AI adoption, REGI reprioritization, and integration with the Regional Trade and Resilience Initiative.

Background

• Overview:
  • The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) promotes economic diversification and growth across Canada’s North.
  • Supplementary Estimates (B) 2025–26 include targeted funding for four key initiatives:
    • Implementation of the Defense Industrial Strategy Early Moves and the Domestic Ammunition Production Initiative – $15.4M
    • Funding in support of the Yukon Gathering Place – $7.5M
    • Support for small- and medium-sized businesses impacted by tariffs through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative – $3.1M
    • Funding for CanNor’s Northern Projects Management Office – $0.6M
• Budget 2025 context:
  • Introduces major northern infrastructure and regulatory reforms, positioning CanNor at the centre of delivery:
    • $41.7 M to CanNor to streamline approvals and consultations for northern projects;
    • Establishes the Arctic Infrastructure Fund ($1 B / 4 yrs) for dual-use transportation assets;
    • Directs RDAs to recalibrate REGI programming, phase out Tourism Growth Program, and implement AI-driven digital transformation;
    • Supports regulatory modernization through the Major Projects Office (MPO) and continued Indigenous consultation capacity-building.
• Expected Outcomes:
  • Faster project approvals and improved coordination across federal partners in the North.
  • Stronger Indigenous and community engagement and capacity in infrastructure and resource development.
  • Enhanced efficiency and client service within CanNor through digital and AI modernization.
  • Reinforced alignment with Canada’s economic, sovereignty, and northern prosperity objectives.

Key Messages

• This government has reaffirmed that Northern and Arctic Affairs has an essential mandate to respond to the unique needs of Northerners and advance progress towards a safe, healthy and prosperous North.
• We are committed to sound financial management and long-term sustainability, and will implement spending reductions thoughtfully to align resources with core programs while continuing to modernize Government of Canada structures to help to minimize disruption to critical activities and maintain continuity in key areas of impact for Indigenous and northern partners.

Current Status

• Work with Department of Finance to determine the funding split between Northern and Arctic Affairs and Crown-Indigenous Relations is currently underway.
• Once the reductions are confirmed, the department will develop comprehensive implementation plans to guide the targeted measures.

Background

• Total reductions for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada represent 2% ($69.3 millions) in expenditures from its 2025-26 Main Estimates, in 2026-27 (ongoing).

Key Data Points

• CanNor has been asked to submit savings proposals equivalent to 7.5% in 2026-27, 10.0% in 2027-28 and 15.0% in 2028-29 (ongoing) of the organization’s total voted operating and transfer payment authorities as laid out in the 2025-26 Main Estimates.
• This translates into total savings of $5,650,000 in 2026-27, $7,534,000 in 2027-28 and $11,301,000 in 2028-29 (ongoing).

Key Messages

• CanNor is implementing targeted spending reductions, mainly by sunsetting programs that are low-demand, duplicative, or outside departmental priorities.
• While difficult for a small agency, these changes will align resources with strategic priorities and ensure sustainable delivery.
• Impacts on communities are expected to be limited, as alternative federal/territorial programs and CanNor’s flagship program, the IDEANorth fund, provide ongoing support.

Current Status

• CanNor’s proposal was submitted to the Treasury Board Secretariat on August 28, 2025. No formal decision has been taken with regard to the proposal we submitted.
• It is expected that a final decision will be communicated through the Budget 2025 announcement on November 4, 2025.

Background

• The Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) will ensure that government spending is sustainable and directed to programs and activities that are cost-effective, core to the federal mandate, complementary to other government programming and aligned with government priorities.
• The CER is designed to solicit savings proposals from identified organizations that target programs and activities that:
  • Are underperforming or not meeting their objectives;
  • Are not core to the federal mandate or duplicate programs delivered by other federal government entities or other levels of government; or
  • No longer align with current priorities.
• CanNor’s proposal is supported by sunsetting of programs that will generate approximately $10.28 million in savings over the three years. The programs that are scheduled to sunset and not be renewed include the Tourism Growth Program, the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative and the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund.
• CanNor’s proposal is also supported by an additional reduction of approximately $1.02 million in core funding in 2028-29 that will reduce the organization’s operating and salary budgets.

Key Data Points

• In the Public Accounts of Canada, CIRNAC reported a lapse of $3.716 billion ($10.157 billion in 2023-24) in budgetary authorities from the total budgetary funding of $17.94 billion ($26.5 billion in 2023-24). While this seems high, this total Public Accounts lapse includes funding planned to be reprofiled into 2025-2026 and future years (called '’planned lapses’’). Note that some of the funding identified for re-profile are still all under consideration by central agencies for approval.
  • The lapse information specific to Northern Affairs is the lapse in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program. It relates to the evergreen nature of progress in the remediation of mines, associated with contracting and consultation with Indigenous partners.
• CIRNAC reports significant environmental liabilities in the Public Accounts, where the information is available at the departmental level. The department is responsible for the management of a portfolio of contaminated sites in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut abandoned by their former operators when they became insolvent. As of March 31, 2025, the total environmental liability for the Northern Contaminated Sites Program is $6.4B compared to $6.2B at March 31, 2024.

Key Messages

• The 2024-2025 Public Accounts demonstrate that public funds are used in a responsible manner to deliver on CIRNAC’s mandate.
• CIRNAC is leading the Government’s work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners in the pursuit of a strong, inclusive, vibrant, prosperous, and self-sufficient North.
• We will continue to ensure that land and resources in the North are sustainable by managing high-priority contaminated sites and creating more economic opportunity and a higher quality of life for Northerners.

Current Status

• The Public Accounts of Canada, including the Government of Canada’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending on March 31, 2025, were signed on September 9, 2025, and will be tabled in the House of Commons in the coming weeks.

Background

• Environmental liabilities background:
  • The Government of Canada is committed to the protection of human health and safety and the environment while providing socio-economic benefits and enhanced co-management regimes with Indigenous Peoples.
  • CIRNAC continues to make progress towards the remediation of high-priority contaminated sites through its Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program which addresses the eight largest and highest risk abandoned mines in the North, including among others at Giant and Faro Mines. $6.3B of the $6.4B environmental liability balance is related to the remediation of formal mineral exploration sites.
• Vibrant, prosperous and self-sufficient North background:
  • 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.
  • To help prepare for future development, while protecting the environment, we worked with northern partners to advance the Northern Regulatory Initiative. As part of this work, we funded 5 studies led by First Nations in the Yukon. These studies will look at how critical mineral and infrastructure projects affect their communities—environmentally, socially, and economically—and explore the combined impact of multiple projects over time. By gathering this sort of information early, we can make faster, better-informed decisions that benefit everyone.
  • We continued to advance northern economic growth while centering Indigenous voices in the decisions that affect their lands and their future. Through the Northern Participant Funding Program, we supported our partners’ involvement in project assessments, including those for the Norman Wells Line 490, the Diavik Water License Renewal, and the Mount Nansen Remediation.

Key Messages

• The 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B) includes key initiatives and new funding totaling approximately $1.4 billion.
• Of these total Supplementary Estimates amounts, $0.9 million is for Northern Affairs.
• The funding for Northern Affairs will help the government to fulfill its commitment to advance devolution, reconciliation and northern self-determination in Nunavut, and for all Canadians.

Current Status

• The 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B) for all departments will be tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board in November 2025, and the Supply will be released December 2025.

Background

• Supplementary Estimates (B) will increase the department’s total budgetary authorities for 2025-26 to approximately $14.5 billion.
• These Supplementary Estimates include key initiatives and new funding totaling $1,385.5 million, including:
  • $1,098 million in funding for reprofiles;
  • $278.4 million in funding for new initiatives; and
  • $9.1 million in funding for transfers from other departments.
• For Northern Affairs, these Estimates contain a reprofile of $0.9 million from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
  • This is funding to implement the Nunavut Devolution Final Agreement.
  • The reprofile will ensure Canada is able to fulfill its legal obligations under the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, including:
    • Delivering on key public commitments and priorities made by the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, including the implementation of the Tripartite Human Resources Development Strategy; and,
    • Developing and advancing the Implementation Plan through the governance structure overseeing the devolution process.

Key Data Points

• The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency’s Supplementary Estimates (B) for 2025–26 total $26.7 million.
• The funds relate to four initiatives that have been recently approved by the Treasury Board.

Current Status

• The 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B) for all departments will be tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board in November 2025, and the Supply will be released December 2025.

Background

• Supplementary Estimates (B) will increase the Agency’s total budgetary authorities for 2025-26 to approximately $105.5 million.
• The four initiatives for which funding has been received are:

Key Data Points

• Polar Knowledge Canada’s Supplementary Estimates (B) for 2025–26 total $1.01 million.
• The funds relate to the reprofile of unspent funding from previous years which will address ongoing operational pressures.

Current Status

• The 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B) for all departments will be tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board in November 2025, and the Supply will be released December 2025.

Background

• Supplementary Estimates (B) will increase the department’s total budgetary authorities for 2025-26 to approximately $ 37.3 million.

Key Data Points

• As per the 2024-25 CIRNAC Departmental Results Framework (DRF), results were reported against 2 Core Responsibilities : Crown-Indigenous Relations; and Northern Affairs.
• All 27 indicators had identified targets against which they were assessed – results are as follows:
  • 52% of targets (14) were met or exceeded
  • 22% of targets (6) are on track (target date is in a future fiscal year)
  • 19% of targets (5) were not met (justifications are provided in the report)
  • 7% of results (2) were not available (data was unavailable at the time of the report)
• Of those indicators, 11 pertain to Northern Affairs – results are as follows:
  • 46% of targets (5) were met or exceeded
  • 27% of targets (3) are on track (target date is in a future fiscal year)
  • 18% of targets (2) were not met (justifications are provided in the report)
  • 9% of results (1) were not available (data was unavailable at the time of the report)

Key Messages

• The report highlights activities undertaken by CIRNAC, in collaboration with partners, to advance the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and to address the unique needs of Northerners.
• The Northern and Artic mandate centers on improving the quality of life for a strong, prosperous North and Arctic—a process that takes time. Also highlighted is the fact that we are not alone on this journey and that the pathway must remain respectful of partner’s capacity and objectives.
• While the 2024-25 results have been both positive and consistent, where targets were met more often than not, the report also integrates contextual information alongside quantitative data to provide a comprehensive and meaningful assessment of progress and lasting impacts.

Current Status

• CIRNAC’s 2024-25 Departmental Results Report was submitted to the Treasury Board Secretariat on October 10, 2025.
• The tabling in parliament is expected over the coming weeks.

Background

Key Data Points

• In relation to the healthcare grants administered under "Grants to the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut for Health Care of Indigenous Peoples and Inuit" for the fiscal year 2025-26, CIRNAC is responsible for administering a total of $64,974,000 which breaks down as follows:
  • $36,580,362 to the Government of the Northwest Territories
  • $28,393,638 to the Government of Nunavut

Key Messages

• Northern communities continue to face persistent barriers to timely, necessary care.
• As referenced in Budget 2025, we are undertaking a comprehensive assessment of healthcare and health infrastructure needs in the North to identify innovative ways to expand access to care closer to home.
• The hospital and physician services grants administered by CIRNAC play a vital role in supporting equitable access to essential health services for eligible First Nations and Inuit communities.

Current Status

• The hospital and physician services grants administered by CIRNAC are intended to support insured health benefits. Specifically, these grants help the governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut cover the costs of hospital and physician services for eligible First Nations and Inuit residents.
• These services fall under the category of insured health services, meaning they are medically necessary and typically covered under territorial health insurance plans. The grants ensure that Indigenous individuals receive equitable access to these services, especially in regions where federal responsibilities intersect with territorial health systems.
• This funding complements but is distinct from programs like Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), which cover services not included in standard health insurance, such as dental care, vision care, and medical transportation.
• CIRNAC’s grants focus specifically on supporting access to core insured services delivered through hospitals and physicians.

Background

• CIRNAC provides hospital and physician services grants to help First Nations and Inuit in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut access insured health care. These grants cover costs not fully funded by territorial systems and support equitable access to medically necessary services.
• Yukon no longer receives this funding because it was included in its Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) after health devolution. However, the Northwest Territories still receives direct grants because an agreement on how much to include in Territorial Formula Financing has not been reached
• CIRNAC’s grants are just one part of federal health funding. Finance Canada provides Canada Health Transfers to all provinces and territories, while Health Canada and Indigenous Services Canada offer additional health programs and funding for both insured and non-insured services.

Key Data Points

• Nunavut makes up one fifth of Canada's land mass. 19% of land in Nunavut is Inuit owned, with Inuit having mineral rights to 2% of that amount. Most of the land outside communities is federal Crown land and, except in places like National Parks, is administered through the Territorial Lands Act.
• The Territorial Lands Act and its Regulations enable, amongst other things, exploration and mining in Nunavut. Related 2024 exploration expenditures totaled $197.9 million, 4.9% of total Canadian exploration expenditures.
• There are 4 active mines in Nunavut, one of which produces a critical mineral (high purity iron at Mary River). The future of mining in Nunavut is represented by advanced exploration at 6 properties, 5 of which are critical minerals (mostly iron, uranium, and copper).
• Budget 2025 will invest $76 million to further expand Arctic security across the three territories, plus the Arctic Infrastructure Fund is ready to invest $1 billion in northern infrastructure for both civilian and military use.

Key Messages

• Northern and Arctic sovereignty and security are top priorities for our Government. Working with Indigenous and territorial partners, we are aligning federal efforts through a coordinated strategy to deliver critical infrastructure, bolster human security and unlock economic potential across the North.
• Amendments to the Territorial Lands Act support the above priorities; they will unlock critical mineral development and supply chain transport, and further assert Inuit and Canadian sovereignty.
• Development must meet our national interests, including economic security. We must be able to take action when it does not. For this reason, amendments to the Territorial Lands Act are being advanced to protect the national interests of Canada and the interests of Inuit in Nunavut.

Current Status

• Following appropriate consultation with Inuit, First Nation and territorial partners, amendments to the Territorial Lands Act will be introduced at the first available opportunity.
• Any necessary associated regulatory changes will follow passing of the Bill and coming into force of the amendments.

Background

• With the increased attention on northern development, security and sovereignty, Inuit and others have sought to ensure the land and resources management framework in Nunavut, as elsewhere, is sufficiently robust to protect the national interests of Nunavummiut and all Canadians.
• One key element of the land and resources management framework in Nunavut is the Territorial Lands Act, and its regulations. With pending devolution of responsibility for lands and resources to the Government of Nunavut, now is an opportune time to amend the Act to ensure adequate authorities are available to the Government of Canada to act if our national interests are in jeopardy.

Key Data Points

• CanNor works with Northerners and Indigenous Peoples, communities, businesses, organizations, other federal departments and other orders of government to help build diversified and dynamic economies that foster long-term sustainability and economic prosperity across the territories – Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
• From April 1, 2023 to October 15, 2025, CanNor has approved more than 340 projects for a total of over $150M. These investments are estimated to create and maintain more than 3500 jobs.
• Success stories include the following projects:
  • CanNor funded $250,000 to the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate's traditional processing kitchen in Whitehorse. Funding was delivered through the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) fund that aims to enhance northern and Indigenous food production and helps to alleviate food insecurity.
  • CanNor invested $1.5 million over three years with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to conduct geophysical and geochemical mapping within the Tłı̨chǫ region under the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth) program. This work will identify potential sites within the region to promote for potential new resource development to the Northwest Territories.
  • CanNor invested in the Pairijiit Tigumiaqtikkut Society in Iqaluit with $2 million over two-years to assist building an elders home in Iqaluit under the Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth) program so that Nunavut elders can age in place.

Key Messages

• CanNor delivers the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program (NIEOP) to create Indigenous employment, support Indigenous entrepreneurship, and help build resilience in Indigenous communities through economic development, all of which contribute to territorial economic growth.
• CanNor delivers Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth) to make foundational investments in economic infrastructure, sector development and capacity building to help position Northerners in the territories to take advantage of Canada's innovation economy.
• CanNor delivers a number of programs alongside the other regional development agencies (RDAs). These programs are normally time limited and reflect specific Government of Canada priorities or needs.

Current Status

• On October 6, 2025, CanNor launched the annual Expression of Interest (EOI) intake for projects and initiatives in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon beginning on or after April 1, 2026. The EOI is the first step in identifying projects eligible for CanNor’s funding programs. Businesses and organizations have until midnight PST on November 17, 2025 to submit their proposals. Through the EOI process, CanNor helps support local innovation, entrepreneurship, and development, strengthening Northern communities while contributing to Canada’s broader economic growth and prosperity.

Background

• Key stats for project approvals between April 2023 and October 2025 are below.

Key Data Points

• Unique regulatory regimes: Resource co-management regimes in the North and Arctic implement commitments from 19 modern treaties spread out across the three territories. There are four regimes (in the Yukon, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Mackenzie Valley, and Nunavut) and over 16 co-management boards responsible for leading impact assessment and regulatory processes for major projects.
• Accelerating northern regulatory processes: CIRNAC has issued over $17 million since 2023-2024 through the Northern Regulatory Initiative and Northern Participant Funding Program for effective supports to pre-regulatory and regulatory processes under northern modern treaty-based regimes. Budget 2025 proposes an additional $25.5 million over four years, starting in 2025-2026, for CIRNAC to continue and enhance this work in support of the new Arctic Infrastructure Fund.
• Coordinating federal roles and responsibilities: CanNor’s Northern Projects Management Office coordinates federal participation in and Crown consultation for 18-20 major projects annually across the territories. Budget 2025 proposes $41.7 million over four years, starting in 2025-26, for CanNor to continue and enhance this work in support of the new Arctic Infrastructure Fund.

Key Messages

• Northern co-management regimes are based in modern treaties and are a model for participatory "one window, one project" review.
• Budget 2025 investments related to the proposed Arctic Infrastructure Fund will enable Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and CanNor to support a greater number of infrastructure projects across the territories to be approved and built within shorter timelines and with increased Indigenous and Northern participation.
• I look forward to working with the Minister of Transport Canada on how the implementation of the proposed Arctic Infrastructure Fund can strengthen Canada's sovereignty, support economic development and prosperity in Northern communities.
• Our Government has also committed to reviewing the northern co-management regimes in collaboration with modern treaty partners to ensure they continue to meet evolving needs.

Current Status

• CIRNAC and CanNor continue to work with northern partners to support a variety of targeted actions to increase efficiencies in regulatory regimes. Recent actions include:
  • support for Indigenous-led cumulative effects and baseline studies;
  • a data management pilot in the Slave Geological Province of the Northwest Territories;
  • operational templates for exploration projects;
  • capacity support initiatives in Yukon and Northwest Territories;
  • participation funding for regulatory processes in all three territories, work to amend legislation and regulations in Yukon and Northwest Territories; and,
  • earlier engagement and collaboration with Indigenous and territorial partners and co-management boards.
• Next steps include implementation of the measures announced in Budget 2025, including: accelerating northern regulatory processes by enhancing Indigenous communities’ readiness to participate and ensuring the availability of necessary information and; supporting Crown consultation; and, targeted legislative amendments, such as amendments to the Territorial Lands Act.

Background

• There is increased attention on northern projects and the North’s unique regulatory regimes.
• Budget 2025 outlines a plan to build dual-use nation-building and major transportation infrastructure in the Arctic.
• CIRNAC delivers the Northern Regulatory Initiative to support system and community regulatory readiness and the Northern Participant Funding Program to enable participation in impact assessment and regulatory processes.
• CanNor’s Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) coordinates federal involvement in assessments for projects in the territories where the Impact Assessment Act does not apply. This includes supporting partners in impact assessments and regulatory processes by: providing single-window federal coordination and issues management for major project assessments; convening meetings and forums with industry, territorial governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, co-management boards, and stakeholders to address and resolve issues; and coordinating and maintaining the record of federal Crown consultation for major projects.
• The Minister of Northern Affairs is responsible for five pieces of federal resource management legislation.
• CIRNAC’s 2025 Red Tape Review Progress Report recommends six new initiatives to create efficiencies in collaboration with modern treaty partners, and Budget 2025 outlines the government’s intention to introduce a variety of targeted amendments in the spirit of this review, in addition to amendments to the Territorial Lands Act.

Key Data Points

• Northern economic and defense opportunities: The North has significant nation-building potential – there are 31 known sources of Canada’s 34 listed critical minerals, three dual-purpose roads underway or anticipated (one involves a deep-sea port), and four major energy/transmission projects underway or anticipated across the three territories.
• Territorial fiscal constraints: Realizing this potential depends on our ability to overcome the fiscal and infrastructure constraints, small markets, and high costs that can slow northern project development and limit economic opportunities. Up to 80% of territorial budgets rely on federal transfers and, with additional fiscal constraints (imposed borrowing limits and narrow tax bases), territorial governments have limited capacity to finance major infrastructure projects independently while proponents face limited access to affordable capital.
• New funding to accelerate northern projects: Budget 2025 includes $25.5 million over four years, starting in 2025-26, to CIRNAC and $41.7 million over four years, starting in 2025-26, to CanNor, to accelerate northern regulatory processes for major projects, including any potential projects of national interest.

Key Messages

• The North is poised to lead Canada’s efforts to get projects of national interest built.
• Indigenous and territorial government-led projects like dual-purpose roads, deep-sea ports, and transmission lines could connect the North to the rest of Canada and the world, helping to safeguard the country against geopolitical threats. In turn, these projects can unlock the trade relationships and critical mineral potential needed to drive national prosperity and transition to a green economy.
• Realizing this potential depends on significant and coordinated federal investments – investments that Budget 2025 delivers. The Building Canada Act can also help attract new investments and investor certainty by getting projects built quickly while upholding modern treaties, Indigenous rights, and environmental protections.
• CIRNAC and CanNor continue to work closely with the Major Projects Office to share advice and knowledge about northern modern treaty-based regulatory regimes, the range of projects being proposed, and the federal investments and attention needed to unlock the full potential of these projects.
• CanNor plays a broader role in major projects by funding territorial businesses and communities to be able to participate in and benefit from major projects in the territories (e.g., through the provision of early stage capital for feasibility studies and design work).

Current Status

• While no northern projects have been referred to the Major Projects Office for consideration under the Building Canada Act, northern projects are poised to support three of the six transformative strategies announced by Prime Minister Carney on September 11, 2025 and reiterated in Budget 2025. This includes the: Critical Minerals Strategy, Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, and Port of Churchill Plus.
• Accelerating nation-building projects is a key focus of Budget 2025, which proposes two streams of relevant funding:
  • Investments in the meaningful Indigenous participation and regulatory efficiencies needed to get projects of national interest shovel-ready. In addition to $25.5 million for CIRNAC and $41.7 million for CanNor to accelerate northern regulatory processes, this includes: $213.8 million for the Major Projects Office; $40 million to support Indigenous capacity-building and consultation on nation-building projects; and $10.1 million to support Indigenous participation throughout implementation of the Building Canada Act.
  • Investments in infrastructure and critical mineral projects needed to get projects built. This includes: $1 billion to create the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, which will invest in major dual-use transportation projects in the North; $51 billion for the Build Communities Strong Fund to streamline infrastructure funding for provinces, territories, and municipalities; $371.8 million to create a First and Last Mile Fund that will get products to market ; and $2 billion to create the Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund.
• Budget 2025 also recognizes the importance of reducing red tape and ensuring the appropriate legislative frameworks are in place to get major projects built. It proposes to: introduce legislation to give the Major Projects Office greater independence and managerial flexibility; amend the Building Canada Act to increase transparency; and make targeted amendments to reduce red tape and increase government efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Background

• The Building Canada Act, which received Royal Assent on June 26, 2025, is designed to expedite projects deemed in the national interest by streamlining federal review and approval processes through "conditions documents."
• Consultation with potentially impacted Indigenous Peoples is required prior to designating a project in the national interest, issuing a conditions document, or amending a conditions document. Contribution to clean growth objectives and the advancement of Indigenous interests are among the legislated criteria that may be considered prior to designating a project.
• Launched by the Prime Minister on August 29, 2025, the Major Projects Office’s mandate is to advance major projects in Canada by: (1) streamlining and accelerating federal regulatory project approvals and (2) structuring and coordinating financing where needed. This includes: partnering with Indigenous Peoples, advancing nation-building projects under the Building Canada Act, and reviewing policies, regulations, and legislation to achieve two-year timelines.
• The North benefits from resource management regimes built on the foundation of modern treaties that shape how Indigenous, territorial, and federal governments work together to co-manage resources using "One Project, One Review" approaches. Although the Building Canada Act does not change modern treaty-based processes, the designation of northern projects could help to: streamline federal approvals outside of treaty-based legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act authorizations), activate options for coordination, and provide greater investment certainty.

Key Data Points

• There are 80 oil and gas licences in the North: 69 significant discovery licences and 11 exploration licences.
• The territories are estimated to have one-third of Canada’s total conventional oil and gas reserves but the resources remain stranded largely due to their remoteness. The last well was drilled in 2006 and exploration activity largely ceased in 2009.
• Canada invested $2.5 million over five years to directly support Inuvialuit participation in the management and administration of the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord. An additional $6.9 million was invested over five years (to support ongoing work for Future Arctic Offshore Energy, including climate and science-based reviews and implementation of the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord.
• All resource revenues collected by Canada from the Beaufort Sea since 1993 ($25.8M million) will also be transferred to the Government of Yukon and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Key Messages

• The Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord establishes a direct role for territorial and Indigenous governments in the co-management of oil and gas in the Arctic offshore.
• The Accord advances Northern political, economic and social self-determination.
• Together with territorial governments, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, we are developing a science-based approach to the oil and gas moratorium in the Arctic offshore.

Current Status

• CIRNAC is working with the Department of Justice to draft the implementing legislation for the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord, in consultation with northern Accord partners.
• CIRNAC is working with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Government of Yukon and the Government of the Northwest Territories in the western Arctic, and the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Government of Nunavut in the eastern Arctic to complete the second climate and science-based review, which will inform the decision whether to maintain the moratorium.

Background

• The Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord marks a major milestone in Northern federal – Indigenous resource management and resource revenue agreements as it fulfils a federal commitment from the 1993 Canada-Yukon Oil and Gas Accord and the 2013 Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.
• Federal petroleum legislation assigns the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs as the Minister for lands and rights disposition on Northern frontier lands (Norman Wells Oil Field (NWT), Nunavut and the Arctic Offshore).
• In December 2016 Canada announced an indefinite moratorium on oil and gas in Canada’s Arctic waters, to be reviewed every five years through a climate and marine science-based review. CIRNAC works with territorial governments, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to co-develop the review. In summer 2023, the "Report of the Western Arctic Review Committee" and the "Report of the Committee on the Science-Based Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development in the Eastern and Central Arctic" were finalized, and the moratorium maintained. A second review is underway and expected to be completed in 2027.
• The moratorium is indefinite but reviewed on a five year cycle. The next decision point is anticipated for 2027, however, since the moratorium is policy-based Cabinet can decide to lift it at any time.
• In August 2023, Canada signed the Western Arctic – Tariuq (Offshore) Accord with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Government of Yukon and the Government of the Northwest Territories. It establishes an offshore oil and gas co-management agreement and resource revenue sharing arrangement with northern partners, assigning the Inuvialuit equal management authority in the Accord Area and economic benefits from future development.
• The 1993 Canada‒Yukon Oil and Gas Accord provided for the transfer of offshore oil and gas resource revenue of $25.8M to the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Yukon, once the parties agreed on how to split the amount. In March 2025, the territories agreed to a split of 60% for the Northwest Territories and 40% for the Yukon.

Key Data Points

Key Messages

Current Status

Background

Key Data Points

• The Government of Canada is focused on protecting Canadian industries, reinforcing the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and building one strong Canadian economy.
• The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is being delivered by the Canada’s Regional Development Agencies to support small- and medium-sized businesses affected by tariffs, helping them respond, adapt, and compete amid shifting market conditions.
• Through RTRI, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will help northern small- and medium-sized businesses respond to trade challenges, adapt to new realities, and build for the future.

Key Messages

• RTRI is designed to be flexible and responsive to the specific needs of sectors in each region of the country

Current Status

• During this period of global trade disruptions, CanNor is on the ground in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon working closely with federal, territorial, and Indigenous partners to respond to the unique needs of northern communities.

Background

• In March 2025, the government announced the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, a $450 million fund to support SMEs directly or indirectly impacted by U.S. and China tariffs, so they could step up investments to diversify their products and markets as well as adopt innovative technologies to boost competitiveness. In July 2025, the government announced that up to $150 million of the RTRI would be targeted to projects in the steel sector.
• On September 5, 2025, the Prime Minister announced that the RTRI would be more than doubled going from $450 million to $1 billion over three years. The announcement included the ability for regional development agencies of Canada to provide non-repayable contributions of up to $1 million to businesses in all impacted sectors in order to allow more Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to invest in their growth, diversify markets, create new revenue sources by adopting innovative technologies and bringing new products and services to market.
• The RTRI is designed to help impacted SMEs and sectors to boost productivity, catalyze growth and diversify markets by helping businesses to undertake projects to raise productivity, enhance competitiveness and reduce costs, thereby mitigating tariff impacts. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen resiliency among Canadian businesses through more robust domestic supply chains, enhanced internal trade, market diversification and future-proofing their operations.
• Eligible recipients include:
  • Incorporated companies, corporations, co-operatives, or individuals operating a business
  • Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations
  • Non-profit organizations that support businesses
• Applicants must demonstrate that they are directly or indirectly impacted by the ongoing trade disruptions, including imposed tariffs by the U.S. and China and Canadian counter-tariffs, and show that at least 25% of their sales are to the U.S. and/or to China, or demonstrate that they, or the businesses they support, have been directly affected.

a. Government of Canada Inuit Employment Plan

b. Inuit Employment Plan – CIRNAC

c. Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Inuit Employment Plan

Key Data Points

• Between April and October 2025, CanNor invested more than $43.0 million across 81 projects fostering short and long-term economic development and sector diversification. These investments are estimated to create more than 200 jobs.
• Of these, $33.2 million was provided through CanNor’s flagship IDEANorth program, supporting capacity and skills development and economic infrastructure.
• Additionally, this fiscal year, CanNor has allocated over $24.9 million in funding across more than 41 projects to Indigenous-led organizations.

Key Messages

Current Status

Background

CanNor continues to invest in key areas with significant potential to contribute to economic growth, including:

• a skilled northern workforce;
• major infrastructure projects;
• sustainable development of the mining and energy sectors; and
• economic diversification and innovation.

Data as of October 24, 2025 (for current fiscal year only)

Key Data Points

• The total value of traditional contracts and amendments awarded by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada in fiscal year 2024-2025 was $39 million. Of this amount $1.8 million (4.55 percent) was issued to Indigenous vendors. The main business lines where contracts for Indigenous businesses were awarded:
  • Professional services 87 percent
  • General Management /Ops 10 percent
  • IT Services: 3 percent
• 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, estimated to be $172.6 million out of a total of $445 million, resulting in an Indigenous Benefit Component of 39 percent.
• 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.

Key Messages

• CIRNAC is committed to fostering economic reconciliation leading to opportunities for Indigenous businesses through the mandatory minimum target of 5 percent of the dollar value of federal contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses.
• CIRNAC is responsible for the management and remediation of 150 contaminated sites across the North. As part of this workload, the Northern Contaminated Sites program has created almost 15,000 jobs for Northerners and delivered over 475,000 training hours to Indigenous Peoples and Northerners since program inception in 2005. More than 10,200 contracts and supplier agreements to Northern businesses have been established.
• In addition to procurement opportunities, community and economic benefits agreements are reached with partners concerning the northern abandoned mine remediation projects.

Current Status

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), as the lead for Indigenous Procurement, has set a target of 10 percent for 2025-2026.

Background

• The majority of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses are done using a competitive process through mandatory Public Services and Procurement Canada’s supply arrangements and standing offers. These tools provide the opportunity to issue the solicitation to pre-qualified Indigenous businesses in the stream and category of the services needed. These businesses are all identified in the Indigenous Business Directory.
• CIRNAC has maximized northern and Indigenous participation in contracts related to the remediation of contaminated sites through community economic benefits and procurement framework agreements with Indigenous partners and well as establishing clear incentives for contracting and sub contracting in cases where construction management models are employed.
• ISC Procurement supports and promotes the participation of Indigenous businesses in contract opportunities by ensuring project authorities have considered Indigenous businesses when initiating a procurement requirement.

Key Data Points

• Canada’s Defence Policy includes $38.6 billion in federal investments over 20 years to strengthen Northern defence and operational capabilities, including: over-the-horizon radar systems, enhanced space-based surveillance and communications, infrastructure upgrades, and technology investments to improve situational awareness and Arctic domain control.
• There are approximately 300 military personnel in the Arctic and North. As well, over 1,500 Canadian Rangers maintain a meaningful presence in 66 Northern communities.
• On March 18, 2025, Prime Minister Carney announced $420 million in new funding to boost the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the Arctic and the North. This expansion anticipates additional CAF personnel and the potential for increased inclusion of forces from Allied nations; new activities to support a near year-round military presence through exercises and training to assert Canada’s presence and sovereignty; and refine information-sharing processes.

Key Messages

• The North faces new threats, which will require a strengthened Canadian presence in the region. Canada is committed, to exercising Arctic sovereignty and creating a future where Arctic and Northern residents are thriving, prosperous and safe. Budget 2025 initiatives, such as the Arctic Infrastructure Fund will help us to meet these goals.
• Strong, resilient communities are the foundation of a strong Arctic and an investment in Canada’s long-term ability to assert sovereignty, protect its interests, and fulfill its commitments to reconciliation. The Government of Canada is working closely with Arctic and Northern governments and Indigenous rights-holders as partners to ensure that investments provide broader community benefits, respect rights, incorporate traditional knowledge, and unlock new economic opportunities.
• Northern and Arctic partners consistently emphasize that demonstrating Canadian sovereignty is best achieved by reducing vulnerabilities and improving the human security of Arctic and northern residents. This includes multipurpose infrastructure that supports, where feasible, both military operations and the needs of territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, and Northern communities. Human security must be at the heart of the work to Build Canada Strong.

Current Status

• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs continues to support National Defence in engaging with partners on issues with direct implications for the north, such as NORAD modernization and creation of Northern Operational Support Hubs (NOSH sites).
• Arctic sovereignty and security is one of the most-identified priorities noted by Arctic and northern partners. For example:
  • In 2024, the Government of Yukon established the Canadian Institute for Arctic Security -- a Whitehorse-based centre for information sharing, networking and knowledge generation. The Government of Canada, through CanNor, provided $370,000 towards the project. An Arctic Summit on securing sovereignty and investment will be held in Whitehorse from 23-25 February 2026.
  • The Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated jointly released the Nunavut Arctic Sovereignty and Security Strategy in September 2025. The Strategy affirms the linkages between Arctic sovereignty and Inuit security, leadership, and well-being, and asserts that Inuit must have leadership roles in decisions affecting northern and Arctic regions.
  • Internationally, increasing geopolitical friction, principally between Russia and the United States, has increased pressure on Arctic governance and security, including the Arctic Council operations. The primary concern of the Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic Council chairship (2025-27) is to ensure that Council working groups and subsidiary bodies can effectively execute their mandates.

Background

• To create a future where Northern and Arctic residents are thriving, strong and safe, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs has committed to continuing work with the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and northern partners to support the implementation of the Arctic Foreign Policy (which includes a pillar on exercising Canada’s sovereignty) and the 2024 Defence Policy Update.
• The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), launched in 2019 with territorial, Indigenous and provincial partners, includes a Safety, Security and Defence chapter led by the Department of National Defence, and and an international chapter led by Global Affairs Canada.
• The most recent ANPF Leadership Committee meeting – held on October 11, 2024 in Iqaluit – provided an opportunity for the then-Minister of Northern Affairs and his colleagues to hear directly from partners on their key priorities, and included presentations by the then-Minister of National Defence on Arctic and Northern security and defence, and by the then-Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Arctic Foreign Policy.
• The Arctic Foreign Policy, launched by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2024, builds on and recalibrates the ANPF international chapter to respond to a shifting geopolitical context. It strengthens linkages between foreign and domestic priorities, provides new tools to advance Arctic diplomacy, and reinforces Indigenous and northern leadership. Implementation has included the Prime Minister’s appointment of Virginia Mearns as the new Arctic Ambassador, effective September 15, 2025.
• In April 2024, the Government released Canada’s updated defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence. The update places significant emphasis on the defence of Canada’s Arctic and Northern approaches as a critical part of Canada’s deterrence.
• Robust enabling infrastructure will be required to support the acceleration of direct and indirect defence investments required to meet the new NATO spending targets of 5% of GDP. Budget 2025 commits that Canada will invest 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035 in core military needs, and an additional 1.5 per cent of GDP in security-related investments such as telecommunications and emergency preparedness systems which serve national defence and national security purposes. Budget 2025 notes that it is expected that currently planned spending by federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments will meet this 1.5 per cent commitment. On the international stage, CIRNAC advances and strengthens elements of human security in the Arctic through its active participation at the Arctic Council, engagement in circumpolar fora, and bilateral meetings with Nordic and American partners.

Key Data Points

• Under Our North, Strong and Free – Canada’s 2024 Defence Policy – the federal government is investing more than $218 million to enhance Northern Operational Support Hubs. These hubs will enable a greater year-round military presence and strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to assert sovereignty and respond to emergencies across the Arctic.
• Budget 2025 announced the Transport Canada-led Arctic Infrastructure Fund, a $1 billion investment into major northern transportation projects with dual-use application for civilian and military use, strengthening sovereignty and supporting trade diversification while also enhancing northern defence readiness. To support this, CanNor is receiving $41.7 million over four years to to help accelerate regulatory processes in Canada’s North – including consultation with Indigenous governments and organisations, and local northern communities.
• CanNor has supported northern research and innovation in Arctic defence, including $300,000 in funding to the Government of Yukon to help establish the Canadian Institute for Arctic Security – a first-of-its-kind centre for collaboration and knowledge-sharing on defence and security issues based in the North.

Key Messages

• Canada’s North and Arctic are increasingly central to our national defence priorities. Climate change, renewed geopolitical competition, and rising global interest in the region have made northern sovereignty, security, and collaboration with Northerners and partners essential to protecting Canada’s interests.
• Modernizing and expanding infrastructure across the North – particularly dual-use assets like energy, communications, transportation, and housing – supports both strategic defence goals and the long-term resilience of northern and Indigenous communities.
• CanNor is well positioned to both advance investments and work as conveners to support the implementation of broader defence priorities. The Agency’s strong on-the-ground presence and experience funding pre-construction work for major infrastructure projects make it a key partner in northern defence readiness. To date, CanNor and CIRNAC have together invested over $14 million in the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, helping lay the groundwork for cleaner, more reliable energy and communications infrastructure in Nunavut that will also enhance northern security and connectivity.

Current Status

• The federal government continues to advance key defence and sovereignty commitments under Our North Strong and Free, including investments in northern infrastructure, enhanced Arctic domain awareness, and closer collaboration with allies.
• These efforts go hand-in-hand with work to ensure that northern and Indigenous communities benefit directly from future defence and infrastructure investments – through participation in supply chains, workforce development, and dual-use project opportunities that support both national defence and community well-being.
• With the Budget 2025 announcement of the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, CanNor will collaborate with Transport Canada and the Treasury Board to secure access to the new funding.

Background

• Canada has committed to NATO’s long-standing 2% of GDP defence spending benchmark and, in principle, to the new aspirational targets of up to 5% of GDP – 3.5% for core defence and 1.5% for broader security-related investments – over the coming decade. These new targets, agreed by NATO allies in 2025, reflect heightened global security concerns, and aim to strengthen collective defence, military readiness, and allied interoperability.
• Canada is accelerating its path to the 2% target, expected to be reached by 2025–26, but moving toward the full 5% goal will require substantial increases in defence and related security spending over time. The 1.5% "broader security" portion offers flexibility, covering areas like cybersecurity, infrastructure, and defence industry support, rather than direct military hardware alone.
• CanNor can help advance Canada’s defence and security objectives by taking a broader view of security, promoting investments that strengthen community resilience, economic security, and human security in northern and remote communities, including Indigenous participation in dual-use and defence-related projects, supporting local supply chains, and ensuring regulatory processes are transparent and accessible to northern stakeholders.

Key Data Points

• The Nunavut Land Use Plan, if approved, would apply to the entire Nunavut Settlement Area, both land and marine regions, representing 20% of Canada, a total area of 1,994,000 km².
• The Recommended Plan is the fifth version of the Plan developed by the Nunavut Planning Commission since work on it began in 2007, and is the first that has been submitted for a decision of the Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
• The Recommended Plan applies three main categories of land use throughout the Nunavut Settlement Area with various levels of restrictions on development:
  • Limited Use (covers 19.8% of the planning region with year round prohibitions on development);
  • Conditional Use (covers 12% of the planning region with seasonal conditions and setbacks on development); and,
  • Mixed Use (covers 65% of the planning region with no restrictions on development).

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of a single Land Use Plan for Nunavut and continues to support a strong and viable co-management regime across the North.
• The release of a recommended Plan by the Nunavut Planning Commission is a positive step forward for the planning process in Nunavut and for Nunavummiut.
• Coordinated by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Canada is reviewing the Plan and continues to collaborate with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as we move towards making collective decisions on the recommended Plan.

Current Status

• The Government of Canada has engaged in discussions with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, with the aim of aligning on a decision whether to accept or reject the Recommended Plan.
• With the Government of Nunavut elections now complete, substantive discussions will resume soon after the new government is established.

Background

• In the 2023 Recommended Plan, the Nunavut Planning Commission made changes to the 2021 draft Plan that reflect a variety of suggestions from multiple parties (communities, Indigenous governments and organizations, the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, regional Inuit associations, environmental and non-governmental organizations and industry) provided through written submissions and oral testimony in public hearings in five communities in 2022.
• Reactions from external stakeholders to the Recommended Plan have been mixed: some key parties (e.g., the mining industry) indicate they have serious concerns and urge its rejection, and others (e.g., environmental non-governmental organizations) express that the Recommended Plan represents a solid foundation for land management in Nunavut and urge its approval.
• CIRNAC has coordinated the Government of Canada analysis of the Recommended Plan through a federal working group. CIRNAC is also conducting Crown consultation jointly with the Government of Nunavut.

Key Data Points

• On April 1, 2027 devolution will take effect and the Government of Nunavut will assume full responsibility for devolving functions.
• Implementation outcomes span various enabling authorities, accountabilities and functions. Expected results and outcomes include:
  • Federal legislative amendments and coordination of mirror Territorial Legislation;
  • Identification of government obligations under Settlement Agreements and Section 35 Consultations to ensure Indigenous rights are not adversely affected by devolution;
  • Transfer of administration and control of Public Lands and rights in respect of Waters;
  • Employee mobility leading up to transfer date through consultation with employees and the parties; and
  • transfer of buildings, properties, assets, records and contracts.
• The Government of Canada is providing pre-devolution one-time funding committed in the Devolution Agreement. This enables the parties to undertake activities necessary to implement devolution including participation in governance, mobilization of affected employees, development of Government of Nunavut post devolution organization, and passage of legislation.
• Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy:
  • Parties working to recruit Inuit into the Nunavut Regional Office to start in winter 2026 and devolve to the Government of Nunavut on April 1, 2027.
• Important implementation milestones and successes to date include:
  • Launching the devolution Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy;
  • Advancing comprehensive Section 35 consultations with Indigenous groups,
  • Undertaking extensive engagements with Affected Federal Employees whose positions are devolving;
  • Establishing preliminary inventories of devolution-related properties, records, assets, and contracts; and
  • Advancing annual lists of transfer exclusions, impacted sites, securities, and existing interests.

Key Messages

• Devolution is a long-standing federal policy objective which seeks to ensure greater local control and accountability for decisions.
• On January 18, 2024, the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement was signed by all three parties; the Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
• The Government of Canada remains committed to working with partners to support a seamless and collaborative devolution of roles, responsibilities, and authorities with the transfer date set for April 1, 2027.

Current Status

• The parties collaborate regularly to implement the Devolution Agreement, including monitoring the legal and operational commitments set out in the Agreement. To date, the Parties acknowledge that implementation is on track. The parties are meeting regularly to advance the devolution process to ensure all commitments are met as intended. To date, implementation is on track.
• The Parties are currently in a three-year implementation phase, which will include legislative amendments so that the authorities and self-determination related to lands and resources fall under the purview of the Government of Nunavut.
• Section 35 consultations with Indigenous Groups with rights within Nunavut, engagements with affected employees, and maximizing Inuit employment will all continue throughout the three-year implementation phase.
• The Government of Canada remains committed to working with partners in support of a seamless and collaborative devolution of roles, responsibilities and authorities with the transfer date set for April 1, 2027.

Background

• Nunavut is the last territory without control of its own lands and resources. Completing devolution places the Government of Nunavut at par with provinces and territories in this respect.
• Completing devolution will enable the federal government to increase its focus on other core federal responsibilities, such as intergovernmental relations, sovereignty and defence, land claims implementation, climate change, remediation of contaminated sites and economic development.
• Devolution is a key step for the self-determination of Nunavummiut, closing the last steps for a fully federated Canada. It follows through on the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in 1993, and the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999.
• Devolution creates stronger public governments that are more responsive to local issues and priorities while ensuring that social, economic and other benefits of resource development in the region are shared with Nunavummiut.

Key Data Points

• The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board receives an average of 195 submissions per year. Expiring authorizations could add up to 150 submissions between 2026 and 2027, on top of submissions for new projects. This proposal would reduce regulatory burden on both the board and project proponents.
• This proposal targets projects with authorizations that require renewal or amendment but where the scope and context of the project has not significantly changed since it was last assessed. This could include: extending licensing periods for existing placer mining projects, amending water use licences for remediating contaminated sites, or expanding project areas for wildlife research.

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada, Government of Yukon, and Council of Yukon First Nations worked together to develop the targeted amendment to create regulatory efficiencies in Yukon while upholding Yukon First Nation rights and environmental protection.
• The amendment is designed to strengthen "One Project, One Review" approaches in Yukon, reduce red tape, and create the investment certainty needed to build a strong Canada.
• It is expected that the advancement of this measure will play an instrumental role in maintaining strong intergovernmental relationships in Yukon, promoting efficient and effective regulatory processes, and forming the basis of future collaborative initiatives in the territory.

Current Status

• Consultation on the proposed amendment is complete.
• A bill is required to introduce the proposed amendment into Parliament for consideration.

Background

• The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) targeted amendment proposes to exempt renewals or minor changes to existing project authorizations from requiring a new assessment when certain conditions are met, including written consent from all potentially affected Yukon First Nations.
• Timely regulatory approvals are vital to economic security in Yukon and the proposal has been a top priority for the Government of Yukon since 2020. The Council of Yukon First Nations expressed support for this initiative through a formal Resolution in January 2024. The role of consent in the proposed amendment is of particular importance to Yukon First Nations, and demonstrates action on the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensuring the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Currently, Yukon is the only territory without a legislated option to exempt extensions or minor changes to projects from requiring another assessment. The amendment is designed to reduce duplication in the assessment process, which will help focus resources on higher risk projects. This would help to better align Yukon impact assessment legislation with legislation in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to allow certain projects to be exempted from reassessments.
• This proposal was included in CIRNAC’s 2025 Red Tape Review Progress Report because it is designed to remove duplication created by reassessments and reduce burden on both proponents and assessors. Conditions required for a project to be exempted from reassessment help to ensure that Yukon First Nation rights continue to be upheld.

Key Data Points

• Isolated northern communities — where most residents are Indigenous (First Nations 48.3%, Inuit 40.4%, Métis 1.8%) — experience some of the highest food insecurity rates in the developed world.
• Nutrition North Canada provides food security programming in 124 Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in all three territories and six provinces.
• Since the program’s inception in 2011, Nutrition North Canada’s subsidy rates have increased by over 50% and the number of eligible communities has increased 55% (from 80 to 124).
• The Harvesters Support Grant was added to the program in 2021 and increases access to country foods by funding traditional hunting, harvesting, and food-sharing activities. The Harvesters Support Grant has supported over 15,000 harvesters, 410 hunts and harvests, and 717 food sharing initiatives in 112 isolated communities.
• Nutrition North’s mandate was extended to include food banks and non profits in 2023/24. Six food banks have registered for the subsidy, with more expected in 2025-26. Food banks have shipped over 384,000 kgs of free food to northern communities to date, with increases reported each year.
• Budget 2024 provided $124 million for Nutrition North Canada’s expanded programming:
  • Harvesters Support Grant: $36M over 3 years
  • Community Food Programs Fund: $60.8M over 3 years
    • Plus $8 million in permanent annual funding for both funds
  • Subsidy: $23.2M in 2024-2025
  • Food Security Research Grant: $2.1M over 3 years
• In 2024, Nutrition North signed three-year agreements with 24 Indigenous governments and organizations to continue delivering Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund programming in their communities.

Key Messages

• Food security is a priority for this Government as part of the mission to Bring Down Costs for Canadians. While rising costs are a reality across Canada, it is particularly acute in Canada’s North, where food and essential items must be transported long distances through complex food distribution systems and costly transportation.
• Nutrition North is central to Canada’s response to northern food insecurity by championing northern food production, strengthening supply chains, and supporting Indigenous food sovereignty.
• Nutrition North Canada has expanded and broadened over the years as a result of feedback from partners to make programming more relevant to those who need it most but there is more work to be done. The Program is expected to undergo a reform based on feedback from reviews and partners.

Current Status

• Improving food security, food access, and food sovereignty in northern, isolated communities takes collaboration. With strong commitment and expertise from partners, Nutrition North will continue to evolve to meet the needs of Northerners.
• Budget 2025 proposes that "Building on the external review of Nutrition North Canada by the Special Representative, the government remains committed to co-developing with Inuit and Northern Indigenous leaders, evidence-based food security approaches that better meet the high cost of living and affordability challenges faced by many Inuit and Northerners."
• Current activities to examine Nutrition North include:
  • The Minister’s Special Representative (MSR), Aluki Kotierk conducting an external review of Nutrition North on behalf of the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs. The MSR is engaging national and regional Indigenous organizations, stakeholders, program partners and federal departments to assess program effectiveness. A final report, including recommendations for program improvements, is expected in 2026.
  • A CIRNAC 5-year evaluation process on the Program. The findings, and the department’s response, will be published in late 2025.
  • Phase 2 of the Food Security Research Grant, which has launched and is awaiting proposals. Research for this phase will be focused on [1] alternatives to the food subsidy program, [2] supply chain logistics and optimization, and [3] harvesting and informal economies that improve access to traditional and market foods.
  • A Food Security Summit in winter 2026, which will bring together Indigenous partners, program officials, non-profit representatives, and stakeholders to share knowledge on the program and produce recommendations on how to improve it.
• Next steps: The results of these reviews and feedback from partners will inform a subsidy overhaul to align with the Ministerial priority to create a resilient northern food economy and the Government’s commitment to bring down costs for Canadians.

Background

• Nutrition North Canada provides food security programming in 124 Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in all three territories and six provinces.
• The Program offers a subsidy program to help offset the cost of transporting nutritious foods and essential items. Since it is demand-driven, use of the subsidy is impacted by numerous factors including other federal spending in isolated communities (e.g., income supports, tax credits, Inuit Child First Initiative, National School Food Program), which can increase the purchasing power of northern households in isolated communities and shift consumer spending habits.
• In recent years, Nutrition North Canada extended the subsidy program to local food producers (2023), food banks and not-for-profits (2022), allowing organizations to offset the costs associated with distributing food in eligible communities.
• The Program also offers grant funding to support hunting, harvesting, food sharing, infrastructure, and community-led food security activities through its Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund.
• The Program works with key partners, including the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board, Indigenous Working Group and the Inuit Food Security Working Group to inform programming and has built strong relationships with communities and recipient Indigenous Organizations.

Key Data Points

• Budget 2025 outlines plans to support housing development through the Build Canada Homes agency, which includes partnering with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to build over 700 public, affordable and supportive housing units.
• The budget further confirmed previously announced $2.8 billion for urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing.
• The government will also increase the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s target for investments in Indigenous infrastructure that benefit First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities from at least $1 billion to at least $3 billion.
• Core housing need rates in all three territories (Nunavut 40.5%, NWT - 11.4%, and Yukon - 9.9%) far exceed the national average of 7.7%.
• In response, Canada has provided northern and Indigenous partners with approximately $5.1 billion between 2016-2024 to support housing and infrastructure needs. With these funds:
  • Inuit have constructed 640 new housing units and repaired 580 existing units; constructed and improved community infrastructure such as sportsplexes, carpentry and repair shops, and multi-purpose and youth centres. For example, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation completed a 17 unit apartment building in Inuvik offering affordable rental units, including much needed units for seniors. The building includes a playground for children, enhancing family and community well-being.
  • Modern Treaty Self Governing (MTSG) First Nations Housing have constructed 689 new housing units, and repaired 162 existing units.
• CanNor has made foundational investments in innovative housing solutions to increase housing supply in the North. This includes, for example, $6 million to Sakku Properties Ltd. to support construction of a modular housing factory in Arviat, Nunavut, that is expected to produce approximately 40 homes a year and offer a Red Seal training program to local skilled tradespeople.

Key Messages

• Canada is working together with Indigenous partners and territorial governments to support self-determined approaches to increase and improve housing and community infrastructure, which can lead to the creation of jobs and builds healthier, safer and more prosperous communities in the long-term.
• For example, over the past two years, Nahanni Butte Dene Band built 17 new homes and undertook major repairs in 13 houses. For a small northern community facing high costs and logistical challenges, these are tangible results worth celebrating—proof that flexible, community-driven funding is delivering real and lasting benefits.
• Canada has also funded Territorial Governments to enable their respective housing corporations to repair aging homes, expand inventories, and respond more effectively to the urgent needs of vulnerable Northerners.
• Build Canada Homes will complement direct funding delivery by CIRNAC to accelerate progress to close housing gaps and improve sustainability and prosperity in Indigenous and northern communities.
• Through the Major Projects Office, the Government of Canada intends to accelerate transformative infrastructure projects for Canada to enhance growth, security, diversification of markets and reconciliation.

Current Status

• Delivery of direct, distinctions-based funding by CIRNAC to Indigenous partners for housing and infrastructure continues through a number of initiatives (with funding identified up to 2030-31).
• Projects underway range from new home construction and major repairs to energy retrofits and land development, reflecting locally determined priorities and self-determined approaches.
• Implementation of the co-developed Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, that guides joint housing work with Inuit partners, continues through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.
• Exploratory discussions are underway with MTSG First Nations through the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process to support public housing expenditure needs through their fiscal arrangements.
• CIRNAC continues to collaborate closely with federal partners to support the establishment of Build Canada Homes and to identify opportunities for Indigenous communities to benefit from the agency’s investments.
• CanNor continues to make early-stage investments in innovation and cold-climate adaptation for northern housing stock, including for modular housing design and construction as well as support for capacity-building of northern enterprises that build housing.
• As one of the first tranche of projects, Build Canada Homes announced its first major partnership with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to build 700 public, affordable, and supportive housing units, approximately 30% of which will be off-site, factory-built housing.

Background

• Infrastructure deficits such as inadequate transportation, connectivity, energy, and water and wastewater infrastructure continue to limit development, significantly impact the cost of living, and generally contribute to poor socio-economic and health outcomes.
• Indigenous and northern communities face persistent housing and infrastructure challenges and an extreme cost of living that are deeply influenced by supply chain and transportation constraints. Many of these communities are accessible only by air or seasonal roads, which significantly limit the movement of goods, services and people, including skilled labour.
• Distinctions-based housing and infrastructure funding supports Indigenous self-determination built on the principle of "for Indigenous, by Indigenous". Recent federal investments include:
  • Budget 2021 - investments to support critical infrastructure through the $4.3 billion Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund. Funding for this four year program sunset on March 31, 2025.
  • Budget 2022 - $1.6 billion over seven years for housing. This funding is helping Indigenous partners to further address the critical needs in their communities to improve housing adequacy and affordability.
  • Budget 2024 - $918 million for Indigenous Housing and Community Infrastructure to accelerate work to narrow gaps in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities
• Budget 2023 also provided $4 billion (over seven years from 2024-25 to 2030-31) to support an Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy.
  • ISC and CIRNAC are responsible for the distribution of 30% of this funding (approximately $1.18 billion) to distinctions-based partners.
• CanNor has funded innovation-related housing projects, such as those dealing in modular housing, cold climate adaptation, and northern-specific construction techniques. Investments include:
  • $600,000 to Qillaq Innovations to support the design and construction of a new housing model that could provide new options for private, affordable homeownership across Nunavut.
  • $2.1 million to Arctic Canada Construction Ltd. to construct a modular building fabrication plant, which has increased new home construction capacity in the Northwest Territories.
  • As one of the first tranche of projects, Build Canada Homes announced its first major partnership with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to build 700 public, affordable, and supportive housing units, approximately 30% of which will be off-site, factory-built housing.

Key Data Points

• In 2021, in the territories, only 33.9% of Indigenous people aged 25 to 64 had completed a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, compared to 73.5% of non-Indigenous people.
• In Inuit Nunangat, the gap between Inuit and non-Indigenous people is even higher – 23% vs 78.4%.
• The direct cumulative economic benefits of closing the Indigenous education gap, between 2021 and 2041 has been estimated to be as high as $286 billion. This does not include additional benefits such as reduced reliance on social and income assistance.
• Further, the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board’s 2024 report identifies education and training as key components needed to close the significant economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, which if addressed, would boost Canada’s economy by $26.7 billion annually.
• The Yellowknife based, and Government of Canada funded, Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, support for students to attend, or return for one year of post-secondary education, resulted in an estimated $3.5 million in increased tax revenue in 2024-25.
• Thirty-five percent of Dechinta students attending accredited programing in 2024-25 have young children who participated in family inclusive programing, provided by Dechinta, while they continued their post-secondary education.

Key Messages

• Building on the mission of One Canadian Economy, closing the gaps in post-secondary education for Northerners is key to a healthy, prosperous and sovereign North.
• Improving access to education in Canada’s North is essential to closing employment gaps, especially for Indigenous Peoples, and strengthening outcomes for all Canadians.
• This government will launch a new Build Communities Strong Fund to support public infrastructure projects of local and regional significance, including post-secondary institutions.

Current Status

Background

• The Government of Canada has been actively working to improve post-secondary education in Canada’s north through targeted investments. Notably, in 2020 Northern Affairs stood-up an arms-length Task Force on Northern Post-Secondary Education.
• The Task Force conducted extensive engagement with northerners, completed its mandate and released its final report in March 2022. Within the report there was a total of 37 Calls to Action.
• The Government of Canada’s commitment to post-secondary education in the North is reflected in its continued efforts to provide ongoing learning and skills development opportunities, including Indigenous-based knowledge and skills. The Task Force’s recommendations continue to inform efforts to ensure that more Canadians are able to continue their education, practice new skills, or learn on the job, which will prepare them for finding and maintaining jobs in the North, now and in the future.

Key Data Points

• Climate impacts on a changing North: Canada’s North is warming more than 3 times the global average – destabilizing critical infrastructure. Permafrost covers 50% of Canada; thaw affects ~45% of northern buildings (~90,000). 50% of Canada’s 8,000 km of winter roads are projected to be unusable within 30 years.
• Economic impacts of climate change: Changes to climate and weather reduced Canada’s national real GDP by 0.8% ($20B) in 2021. 2024 saw over $8.5B in insured catastrophic loss from extreme weather and disasters, including a hailstorm in Calgary that caused $3 billion in damages in 1 hour.
• Adaptation: Every $1 invested in adaptation yields $12–$13 in avoided damages.
• Adaptation in Action: CIRNAC’s adaptation programs support communities to lead on local, cost effective solutions, like the community of Igloolik (NU) to install and maintain weather stations that help ensure safe travel on the land, or Tuktoyaktuk (NT) to undertake emergency efforts to move houses threatened by shoreline erosion, or efforts by over 60 First Nations in BC to assess and plan for the impacts of rising sea levels.

Key Messages

• CIRNAC’s climate change programs are equipping communities in building the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to advance local climate solutions, improve preparedness for natural hazards, and enhance long-term security.
• Strengthening the North’s energy security, climate resilience, and emergency readiness is essential to safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty and advancing sustainable economic growth.
• CIRNAC adaptation programs have invested over $276M in over 1000 projects led by Northern and Indigenous communities to assess risks, plan solutions, and build resiliency.
• Introduced in Budget 2025, the Climate Competitiveness Strategy sets Canada’s renewed approach to achieving Net-Zero by 2050 through enabling investments in industries that will keep Canada competitive in an evolving global economy.

Current Status

• CIRNAC administers three climate change adaptation programs that support Indigenous and Northern communities to identify and implement solutions to mitigate climate hazards and risks, like flooding, wildfires, and permafrost thaw. The Department also administers funding for Indigenous partners to engage with Canada at the Indigenous-Crown bilateral tables on climate change.
• CIRNAC’s adaptation programs are all expected to sunset by Fiscal Year 2027-28, with a small amount of ongoing funding.

Background

• As a result of climate change, the occurrence and magnitude of hazards to Canadians and their communities is increasing. As the "funder of last resort", Canada bears growing fiscal exposure to disasters, with Public Safety’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements covering on average 82% of eligible provincial and territorial recovery costs on a cost share basis, with over 60% of the program’s $7 billion in costs incurred within the last decade (as of 2022).
• The accelerated pace of warming in the North and historic underdevelopment has magnified the impacts of climate change on Northern communities. Similarly, due to factors of geography and their connectedness to the land in terms of rights, use, and knowledge systems, Indigenous communities have been significantly impacted by shifts and risks caused by climate change. In both cases, climate change has compounded existing vulnerabilities in communities like sustained infrastructure gaps, capacity and skills development barriers, and fiscal limitations, including territorial borrowing constraints.
• In the North, slow-onset events like permafrost thaw, coastal erosion, changes to sea ice as well as disasters and emergencies like floods, wildfires, and extreme weather threaten essential infrastructure, disrupt supply chains, and impede the safe movement of goods and people. These impacts increase costs of goods and capital and maintenance costs, and create an unpredictable operational environment for businesses, communities, and for the security and defense functions that keep Canadians safe.
• Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted when emergencies occur. First Nation reserves and majority Indigenous communities represent 5% of the population, but experience 42% of wildland fire evacuation events, with evacuation rates up to eight times higher than the national average during 2023.

Key Data Points

• In the three territories and Inuit Nunangat there are 73 isolated diesel microgrids, and 3 regional hydro grids serving 24 communities which are not connected to the North American grid.
• As of October 2025, the Northern REACHE program has invested $104 million into 262 northern clean energy initiatives that focus on capacity building and implementation of small-scale renewable projects.
• Northern REACHE-funded projects are now reducing diesel by 1.8 million litres annually (5.7 million cumulative), and the program is on track to achieve its target of 7 million litres annually by 2030. Many projects supported by the program are in the planning stage. As the projects are commissioned, diesel reductions are expected to increase significantly, contributing to the 2030 target.
• The Kluane Wind Project in Yukon is an excellent example of how CIRNAC’s Northern REACHE program is supporting northern and Indigenous communities to transition away from diesel. The program provided $1.5 million to support Kluane First Nation’s $18.5 million wind-battery project - which is the first community-owned grid-scale wind system in Canada. The project, now in operation, will allow diesel generators to be turned off 50 percent of the time, reduce diesel use by 310,000 litres (52 percent) and cut 835 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Key Messages

• The scale of the need to address energy security in the North is substantial. Advancing cleaner energy projects in the North is critical to strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth, both of which are foundational elements of a secure and sovereign Arctic. CIRNAC’s Northern REACHE program plays an important role in this transition by supporting community and Indigenous-led clean energy initiatives that reduce diesel dependence, enhance local capacity, and strengthen long-term resilience.
• The Northern REACHE program has been instrumental in funding community and Indigenous-led projects. It has de-risked early stages of projects and enabled proponents to access larger infrastructure funding. It has supported planning stages of major projects such as Iqaluit Hydro, Kivalliq Hydro Fibre Link, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion.
• These projects advance reconciliation, self-determination, and Indigenous leadership, while building a low-emissions energy future. They strengthen economic prosperity and Arctic security and build stronger, healthier, more resilient communities.
• Through Budget 2025 and Canada’s Climate Competitiveness Strategy, we are strengthening Canadian leadership in a low-carbon economy. Our renewed approach to achieving Net-Zero by 2050 through enabling investments in industries will keep Canada competitive in an evolving global economy.

Current Status

• The Northern REACHE program is part of Wah-ila-toos, a single-window initiative between Natural Resources Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada to streamline access to federal clean energy programming for remote communities.
• Next steps: CIRNAC is continuing to work with Natural Resources Canada and other departments to ensure support for community energy and northern energy systems.

Background

• Northern REACHE has provided $86 million in energy planning and feasibility investments that de-risk projects and enable proponents’ access to larger investments, and $9.6 million for seven high-penetration renewables projects, which enabled proponents to secure over $220 million in capital for construction. These implemented projects have resulted in completely turning off diesel generation for extended periods of time in the summer months in Old Crow, Kluane First Nation, Beaver Creek, and others.
• Northern REACHE has provided $5 million for 16 energy coordinator positions across communities and Indigenous organizations supporting reconciliation, self-determination, and leadership. Energy coordinators have been successful in securing an average of $12.5 million each ($200 million total) in funding for energy projects. 1:40 ratio in leveraged funding.
• Northern REACHE has supported all four remote First Nation communities in Yukon to develop a high-penetration renewable energy project. These projects generate between 25-50 percent of each community’s electricity needs on an annual basis. $5.6 million in Northern REACHE funding leveraged $80.3 million from other funding sources.
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is also working with Natural Resources Canada and Indigenous Services Canada to improve housing affordability for Indigenous Peoples by supporting the implementation of self-determined actions that reduce residential energy costs. This includes CIRNAC delivering $42 million to Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations, Inuit and Métis under the Indigenous Stream of the new Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program.

Key Data Points

• CIRNAC's Northern Contaminated Sites Program is responsible for the management of approximately 150 contaminated sites across the North, representing an estimated environmental liability of $6.2 billion (Public Accounts of Canada March 2024).
• The Northern Contaminated Sites Program is actively managing 92% of high-priority northern contaminated sites.
• As of March 2025, since the Program’s establishment in 2005, the Program has assessed and closed 812 sites and remediated and closed 33 sites. A further 58 sites have been remediated and are undergoing long-term monitoring. All other sites are in assessment, planning or active remediation.
• Since 2005, the Northern Contaminated Sites Program has:
  • created almost 15,000 jobs for Northerners;
  • provided employment opportunities resulting in Indigenous Peoples contributing 36% of total person-hours worked;
  • delivered over 475,000 training hours to Indigenous Peoples and Northerners; and
  • established more than 10,200 contracts and supplier agreements to Northern businesses.
• The Program has also:
  • developed partnerships with Northern colleges and training providers; and
  • invested $741 million in Indigenous businesses cumulatively since 2010.

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada is committed to the protection of human health and safety and the environment, as well as the development of economic opportunities for Northerners and Indigenous Peoples.
• Significant investments were made in implementing the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program and we continue to work with Environment and Climate Change Canada under Phase roman numeral 5V of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.
• We continue to collaborate meaningfully with communities, Indigenous Peoples, Territories and interested stakeholders to protect Canadians and the environment.
• The Program works with Indigenous communities to co-develop project-specific governance agreements, procurement frameworks, and socio-economic strategies that promote reconciliation and meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples through the full project lifecycle.

Current Status

• The Government of Canada is investing $9.1 billion (2020-2035) in the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to remediate CIRNAC’s eight largest abandoned mine projects, this includes $2.2 billion in Budget 2019 and $6.9 billion in Budget 2023.
• Led by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Phase roman numeral 5V (2025-2026 to 2029-2030) of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan was renewed in Budget 2024.
• The Giant Mine Remediation Project moved into remediation in Fall 2022. It broke ground on the new permanent water treatment plant in Summer 2023, with commissioning expected in 2026.
• The Giant Mine Remediation Project also signed a Community Benefits Agreement with the Yellowknives’ Dene First Nation and North Slave Metis Alliance, a Procurement Framework Agreement with the Yellowknives’ Dene First Nation, and an Economic Benefits Agreement with the Tłı̨chǫ Government.
• The Faro Mine Remediation Project completed the Yukon Environmental Assessment process. The project team is now preparing to submit applications for a Water License and Fisheries Act Authorization.
• The Faro Water Treatment Plant tender was cancelled in November 2024. CIRNAC and PSPC are exploring additional water treatment options.
• The new Tse Zul Camp at the Faro Mine, developed by Ross River Dena Council in partnership with Parsons and Dena Nezziddi Development Corporation, marks a major socio-economic milestone, making them Yukon’s largest Indigenous camp services provider.

Background

• The Northern Contaminated Sites Program operates under two funding streams:
  • The Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program manages the eight largest abandoned mine projects in Yukon and the Northwest Territories, including Giant and Faro Mines
  • CIRNAC’s remaining sites are funded through Environment and Climate Change Canada's Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.
• The Program supports reconciliation by fostering socio-economic benefits for Indigenous communities. It prioritizes Indigenous procurement through Indigenous Opportunities Considerations, Industry Days, and tailored work packages.

Key Data Points

• The Northern Contaminants Program has been a leader in advancing knowledge of chemical contaminants from long-range transport sources in the Canadian Arctic for over twenty years.
• There are 66 projects funded under the Northern Contaminants Program for the 2024-2025 year, with allocated funding support of approximately $5 million. Each project supports the priorities and objectives of the Northern Contaminants Program, as outlined in the Program’s blueprints and annual call for proposals. Consultation with northern community authorities and/or Indigenous organizations is required for all projects involving field work in the North and/or analyses of samples.

Key Messages

• As the lead federal department for the North with responsibilities for coordination of policies and scientific research, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) has proven experience and a mandated role for leadership and coordination in northern and Arctic science, across as many as twenty departments and agencies, including Polar Knowledge Canada.
• The Northern Contaminants Program, one of CIRNAC’s flagship Arctic research programs, has long served as a model for partnership and co-development in Arctic research, with notable successes in linking issues from their local to global significance, in bringing together Indigenous Knowledge and western science, and with continued influence at the international level, including within the Arctic Council and through UN conventions.

Current Status

• The Northern Contaminants Program will launch its annual Call for Proposals on October 28, 2025 on the first day of the Program’s biennial Results Workshop, which brings together Northerners, academics and federal, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations to discuss key findings and program direction.
• Canada’s leadership of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, a Working Group of the Arctic Council, will be up for renewal in January 2026. The Director of Northern Affairs Organization’s Northern Science and Contaminants Research Directorate has been serving a two-year term as international Chair since January 2024.
• Near on the horizon will be the next (5th) International Polar Year, IPY-5. CIRNAC led the federal coordination for IPY-4 and housed a secretariat, i.e. the Federal Program Office for the Government of Canada Program for IPY. At this moment, the interim international coordinating body for IPY-5 has recently launched guidance on the creation of National Committees for IPY-5, a call for bids for an international coordination office, and early information on the IPY-5 project endorsement process starting in 2026.

Background

• Science and research occurring in and pertaining to the North and the Arctic is led, funded, and carried out by a broad network of governments, organizations, communities and individuals. Canada has in place a variety of research strategies and priorities for the Arctic developed by various northern-related programs, organizations, communities and sub-national governments.
• The Minister of Northern Affairs is mandated with responsibilities for coordination of policies and scientific research in the North. Polar Knowledge Canada plays a key role in delivering on this mandate, particularly with its headquarters at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut; however, Canada’s Arctic research ecosystem includes some twenty federal departments and agencies, and numerous organizations and non-federal governments.
• The CIRNAC-led Northern Contaminants Program is one of Canada’s longest running Arctic research programs, with nearly 35 years of bringing together Indigenous people, academics and government scientists at local, national and international levels to address the issue of contaminants in the Arctic from distant sources that impact wildlife (food sources) and human health. Research outcomes contribute to food sovereignty across the North by supporting confidence in traditional foods and supporting food choice decisions.
• The 2024 evaluation of the Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability Program, of which Northern Contaminants Program is the main activity, found that it is increasingly relevant as environmental changes occur in the North and Arctic.
• In the 2024 Arctic Foreign Policy, Canada commits to support science and research coordination initiatives with foreign policy considerations as related to research security and science in the Arctic.
• The House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research 2024 study on the science and research needs in Canada's Arctic (in relation to the effects of climate change) recommended that the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive Arctic research strategy to identify priorities and long-term goals.

Key Data Points

• Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) invests approximately $7.8 million annually to strengthen Arctic research capacity and foster collaboration among Northern, Indigenous, and research communities.
• In 2024-2025, Polar Knowledge Canada supported 91 projects through its grants program and 51 contributions across the three territories, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. To date, 87% of funded projects involved youth or early-career researchers, reflecting Polar Knowledge Canada’s commitment to develop the next generation of Arctic research leaders.
• In continued support of its 2020 to 2025 Science and Technology Framework, Polar Knowledge Canada contributed to the publication of 18 scientific articles, either co-authored or with data provided by the agency in various scientific journals.
• The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) serves as a year-round hub for Arctic research, logistics, and knowledge sharing, providing laboratories, accommodations, and meeting facilities for Canadian and international researchers. In 2024, CHARS hosted 616 visitors and since 2018, researchers from 23 countries have conducted research at the facility.

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada is advancing the country’s leadership in the Arctic and in polar science through a strong commitment to scientific research in the polar and circumpolar regions. This work supports Canada’s sovereignty, prosperity, and the well-being of Northern residents by fostering economic opportunities and improving quality of life.
• Through the work of Polar Knowledge Canada, the Government of Canada supports multi-disciplinary science and technology research, fosters key national and international partnerships, and administers a grants and contributions program. Polar Knowledge Canada facilitates and promotes the exchange of knowledge across Northern communities and for all Canadians.
• Polar Knowledge Canada also plays a key role in sovereignty and security by anchoring a science presence in the high Arctic, and operating a high-latitude, cold-climate technology test bed for the Government of Canada, including testing technology that improves capabilities to monitor and manage Canada’s Arctic territories.

Current Status

• To date, in 2025-26, POLAR has signed six new contribution agreements and 49 grant agreements to advance research and strengthen partnerships in Northern science and technology.
• POLAR has flexibility in its programs, tailoring specific calls for proposal in response to emerging Government of Canada priorities.
• In 2025, POLAR launched a call for the International Partnership Research Development Program (closed November 5, 2025), additional funding to develop, support or increase international collaboration efforts for existing projects and activities based in the Canadian Arctic and/or Antarctic region.
• POLAR continues to build strategic national and international science partnerships to leverage funding and advance its science and technology objectives
• To date in 2025, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station has welcomed 617 visitors.

Background