2025-2026 Implementing the Federal framework to address the legacy of residential schools

Table of contents

General information

Name of horizontal initiative: Implementing the Federal Framework to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools

Lead department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Federal partner organizations: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Library and Archives Canada (LAC), Canadian Heritage (PCH), Parks Canada Agency (PC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Department of Justice (JUS)

Start date of the horizontal initiative: 2022

End date of the horizontal initiative: 2027

Description of the horizontal initiative: In 2006, in response to decades of litigation and action by survivors seeking justice for their experiences at residential schools, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) was approved with the aim of bringing a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of residential schools. Created under the IRSSA, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was mandated to document the history of residential schools. In its final report and 94 Calls to Action (CTA), the TRC outlined the far-reaching impacts of the residential schools system and identified the significant work remaining to address its ongoing legacy. Since 2015, with Canada's legal obligations under the IRSSA nearing completion, the Government of Canada has made implementation of the TRC's CTAs a central pillar of its reconciliation agenda, committing to fully implement the CTAs in partnership with Indigenous communities, governments, provinces, territories, and other partners.

In 2019, implementation of CTAs 72 and 73 (National Residential School Memorial Register and National Online Cemetery Register), was led by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). In 2021, CIRNAC also launched the "Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Funding" initiative for the implementation of CTAs 74-76. This initiative provided funding to Indigenous communities to undertake community-led initiatives to locate, document, and memorialize burial sites associated with former residential schools, and honour families' wishes to bring children's remains home.

In August 2021, following the location of probable unmarked burial sites associated with former residential schools in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the Government of Canada announced additional investments to support Indigenous community-led work. This includes:

The destructive legacy created by residential schools is complex. Addressing the intergenerational impacts requires whole-of-government, coordinated action across federal departments and agencies, as well as co-operative relationships with Indigenous communities and across all levels of government. To this end, Budget 2022 announced additional investments to support the implementation of the Federal Framework to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools, which includes initiatives to address the ongoing impacts of the residential schools system and commemorate its history and legacy.

This horizontal initiative has been anchored around four themes with the lead departments and agencies, as follows: (1) addressing missing children and burial information (CIRNAC with linkages to the work of the Special Interlocutor, as set out below); (2) commemoration and education (PC and PCH); (3) supporting communities and survivors (ISC); and (4) sustained, streamlined support for reconciliation initiatives (CIRNAC, LAC, and RCMP).

Governance structures: The Horizontal Initiative Results Framework (HIRF) to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools (LRS) will be reported in the Departmental Plan and Departmental Results Report of the lead department (CIRNAC) and will be implemented through a horizontal governance structure, including the Assistant Deputy Minister Oversight Committee (ADMC), which includes representation from seven core departments and agencies (CIRNAC, ISC, RCMP, PC, JUS, PCH, and LAC). The ADMC is supported by a Director General Steering Committee (DGSC) and is responsible for the overall governance and coordination of the horizontal initiative. It will ensure horizontal results monitoring, reporting, and assessment, including the collection of consistent data. The governance structure is supported by resources within CIRNAC's Resolution and Partnerships Sector.

CIRNAC, through the leadership of the LRS Secretariat, will continue to be the lead department and convener of working-level groups, as well as these committees. All partner departments will continue their participation in establishing the governance structure and the financial parameters for the horizontal initiative, provide a complete list to CIRNAC of their activities associated with addressing the legacy of residential schools, and provide information on relevant departmental activities as required by the ADMC to implement their respective activities connected to the horizontal initiative. Going forward, interdepartmental results working group(s), alongside the ADMC and DGSC, will work collaboratively to ensure:

Total federal funding allocated, total federal planned and actual spending
Federal organizations Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) Total federal planned spending to date Total federal actual spending to date
CIRNAC $508,545,528 $383,135,595 $350,433,769
ISC $644,434,385 $644,434,385 $619,181,468
LAC $25,000,000 over three years (2022-23 to 2024-25, $22,530,790 excluding Shared Services Canada [SSC] and Public Services and Procurement Canada [PSPC]) $25,000,000 ($22,530,790 excluding SSC and PSPC) $17,979,066 excluding SSC and PSPC
PCH $38,117,808 $25,942,424 $21,670,289
PC $25,000,000 $25,000,000 $25,779,100
RCMP $5,089,545 $4,071,636 $2,068,963

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal: Not applicable

Total planned spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Total actual spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Currently, an Evaluation of Residential Schools Legacy is underway and expected to be completed by March 2027.

Performance highlights

CIRNAC: In 2025-26, the department continued to lead the horizontal initiative and its associated governance structure. Members of the DG Committee engaged in bilateral discussions and the ADM Oversight Committee met once. Additionally, CIRNAC provided $3.6M to support the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's (NCTR) continuing efforts to implement Call to Action 72 (National Indian Residential School Student Death Register and public-facing Memorial Register) and Call to Action 73 (National Indian Residential School Online Cemeteries and Burial Sites Register).

Budget 2024 allocated $91M over two years to continue implementation of Calls to Action 74 to 76. Since the launch of the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund in June 2021, CIRNAC has received 197 formal requests for funding from Indigenous communities and organizations totaling over $780M. From 2021-22 to 2025-26, 166 agreements were established, providing over $284.2M to community-led initiatives in support of Calls to Action 74-76. Currently, 76 lead communities are advancing investigations at 89 of the 145 former residential schools (some recipients lead initiatives on multiple schools).

ISC: In 2025-26, through more than 390 funding agreements, ISC continued to fund access to a network of over 1,000 cultural and emotional support services for all Indigenous people including Survivors, their families, and Intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School System. Investments funded cultural and emotional support at community, regional, and national events, such as Survivors gatherings (e.g., the Pimaatisin Gaagii Ishi Minigoosiwin national wellness and healing gathering for Survivors and resolution health support workers), powwows, conferences, the MMIWG National Family and Survivors Circle, activities for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous Peoples' Day, and the Survivor Flag Raising ceremony on Parliament Hill.

LAC: Since 2022-23, LAC has digitized 5.8M pages of records documenting the administration and operation of the Federal Indian Day Schools system across Canada, including textual files, photographs, architectural plans, maps, and other media. Out of these digitized pages, 4.9M have been described using a culturally appropriate approach to enhance discoverability. These archival descriptions were designed to help Survivors and researchers better understand the contents of each file. They include the types of documents within a file, the Indigenous communities and school locations, the names of schools and related institutions, and whether student or staff names were mentioned. This information is now fully searchable by keyword and media format using LAC's online searching tools.

In addition to developing user-centered descriptions, LAC has also worked on improving finding aids and creating research tools, such as a Research Guide that explains the historical context of the records, their creation process, search methods, and how to submit an Access to Information and Privacy request. (Note: Most Day Schools-related records contain personal information and are restricted by law, so they are not viewable in LAC's online database).

PCH: In 2025-26, Canadian Heritage achieved several key milestones in advancing the Indian Residential School National Monument (First Nations, Métis and Inuit). The department worked in collaboration with Professional Advisors from the Indigenous Task Force of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to develop a culturally appropriate approach for the monument's design selection process. This approach was endorsed by the Monument Steering Committee in October 2025. The department also worked with the Professional Advisors to create a Promotion and Engagement Strategy for the design selection process. In the summer of 2025, the department launched an open call, in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, to renew the membership of the Monument Steering Committee. Following the selection process, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture appointed the new Steering Committee members in January 2026. Canadian Heritage subsequently onboarded the new members and provided orientation and administrative support in preparation for their inaugural meeting in May 2026.

RCMP: The RCMP delivered 36 training sessions to law enforcement agencies and Indigenous communities across Canada, enhancing awareness of the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) services. These sessions focused on providing specialized training and promoting best practices in missing persons and unidentified remains investigations.

The RCMP also collected three DNA blood samples in person from family members of missing persons, directly supporting forensic analysis on active operational files through the National Missing Persons DNA Program (NMPDP) in response to requests from law enforcement partners. These profiles now support the NMPDP and allow for comparisons to be made across jurisdictions to further advance investigations. A DNA information pamphlet was developed to improve understanding among families providing DNA for missing persons investigations. This initiative involved collaboration with an Indigenous artist and multiple Indigenous consultative bodies to ensure cultural relevance and effective community engagement. The pamphlet was subsequently translated into six Indigenous languages to maximize accessibility and reach within diverse communities. In addition, the RCMP collaborated with the Codiac Regional RCMP in the application of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG)—an emerging investigative methodology that integrates DNA analysis, genealogical research, and traditional policing techniques—to assist in the identification of an unidentified male in a 20-year-old cold case.

Contact information

Krista Robertson, A/Director General
Settlement Agreement and Childhood Claims Branch
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
200 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Québec, J8Y 3B5
Phone: 819-635-7812
krista.robertson2@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Shared outcomes

Name of theme Theme A
Addressing missing children and burial information
Theme B
Commemoration and education
Theme C
Supporting communities and survivors
Theme D
Sustained and streamlined support for reconciliation initiatives
Internal services
Theme outcomes Residential school Survivors, families and communities have access to information on the death and burial locations of their relatives
  • Indigenous peoples' heritage in Canada is protected for future generations
  • Canadians have access to Indigenous commemorations that contribute to reconciliation
Indigenous Peoples are mentally well
  • Residential school Survivors and communities have access to complete archival records on the history of residential schools
  • Access to Library and Archives Canada's collection is increased
  • Improved relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous people
Not applicable
CIRNAC
  • $429.2 million over six years (2022 to 2028, top-up)
  • $1.2 million over four years (2022 to 2026, new initiative)
Not applicable Not applicable
  • $71 million over five years (2022 to 2027, top-up)
  • $1.5 million for 2022-23 (new initiative)
$5.6 million
ISC Not applicable Not applicable
  • $224.3 million over two years (2022–23 & 2023–24)
  • $412.2 million over two years (2024–25 & 2025–26)
Not applicable
  • $3.3 million (2022–23 & 2023–24)
  • $4.6 million (2024–25 & 2025–26)
LAC Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable $25 million over three years ($22.5 million excluding SSC and PSPC) Included in the amount identified under Theme D
PC Not applicable $25 million over three years (2022 to 2025, top-up) Not applicable Not applicable $1.7 million
RCMP Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable $5.1 million over five years (2022-23 to 2026-27) Included in the amount in Theme D
PCH Not applicable
  • $18.2 million over three years starting in 2021–22 ($8.5 million ongoing) and $9.6 million top-up)
  • $20 million (new initiative)
Not applicable Not applicable $1 million

Performance information

Horizontal initiative overview

Name of horizontal initiative: Implementing the Federal Framework to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools

Horizontal initiative shared outcome: Progress is made in addressing the legacy of residential schools and reconciling with survivors and their families

Total federal funding allocated: $1,240,561,178

2025–26 planned spending: $278,539,799

2025–26 actual spending: $246,488,436

Performance indicator, target and result
Performance indicator Target Date to achieve target 2025–26 actual result
Percentage of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action under federal or shared jurisdiction related to the legacy of residential schools that are completedTable note a 66% March 31, 2027 Not applicable
Table note a

This indicator pertains to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (CTAs) related to the residential schools legacy activities captured in this horizontal framework, where the word "completed" means that the mechanisms or structures required from federal government to address the recommendation have been put in place. It is however recognized that ongoing efforts will be needed by federal government and its partners to maintain these mechanisms and structures towards full implementation, so they may continue being accessed by Indigenous survivors, their families and/or communities.

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Theme A details

Name of theme: Addressing missing children and burial information

Total federal theme funding allocated: $430,364,198

2025–26 federal theme planned spending: $61,968,214

2025–26 federal theme actual spending: $42,379,244

Theme A outcome, performance indicator, target and result
Theme outcome Theme performance indicator Theme target Dates to achieve theme target 2025–26
actual result
Residential school survivors, families and communities have access to information on the death and burial locations of their relatives Percentage of former residential schools for which investigation work has been conductedTable note a 86% March 31, 2026 61%Table note b
Percentage of residential school survivors and families that have received requested materials from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) archives To be determinedTable note c To be determinedTable note c 71%
Table note a

This indicator pertains to residential schools included in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

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Table note b

The percentage of former residential schools with investigation work reflects the phased approach many Indigenous communities are taking, prioritizing research and knowledge gathering before moving to investigations.

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Table note c

The document collection held by the NCTR is projected to expand significantly. A target for responding to requests from survivors and families will be set once the NCTR has more precise knowledge of the volume of documents potentially targeted by these requests.

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Theme A horizontal initiative activities

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Link to department's program inventory: Residential Schools Legacy Program

Horizontal initiative activity: Continued implementation of Calls to Action (CTAs) 72-76

Total federal funding allocated to the activity: $429,190,647

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $61,715,330

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $42,126,360

Expected result, performance indicator, target and result
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
Partners and communities have timely access to information to plan and implement CTAs 72-76 initiatives Percentage of requests for program information responded to by the department within two (2) business days of receipt 85% March 31, 2026 98%
Percentage of funding requests for which engagement between the department and the partner/community is underway within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt 85% March 31, 2026 100%
Percentage of received documents that have been reviewed and classified by the NCTR To be determinedTable note a To be determinedTable note a 69.5%
Partners and communities successfully secure funding to plan and implement CTAs 72-76 initiatives Percentage of eligible funding requests from eligible partners / communities approved under the Residential Schools Legacy Contribution Program 60% March 31, 2026 94.5%
Partners and communities implement initiatives to locate, document, and commemorate / memorialize missing children and burial sites associated with former residential schools Percentage of planned activities funded through the Residential Schools Legacy Contribution Program that have been implemented 75% March 31, 2026 41%Table note b
Table note a

The document collection held by the NCTR is projected to expand significantly over the next year. A target and timeframe for completion will be set once the NCTR has more precise knowledge of the number of documents requiring review and classification.

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Table note b

The target was not met, and information to explain the variance was not available at the time of reporting.

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Link to department's program inventory: Residential School Legacy Program

Horizontal initiative activity: Missing children and burial information associated with non-IRSSA federal institutions included in Indigenous childhood claims litigation

Total federal funding allocated to the activity: $1,173,551 over four years

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $252,884

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $252,884

Expected result, performance indicator, target and result
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
The unique historical contexts of childhood claims non-IRSSA (e.g. federally-operated day schools and Indian hospitals) and other federal institutions are considered in the development of options to address missing children and burial sites Percentage of research projects completed to inform options to address missing children and burial sites in the context of childhood claims 100% March 31, 2026 100%
Percentage of discussions or negotiations with plaintiffs and their representatives conducted to inform options to address missing children and burial sites in the context of childhood claims 100% March 31, 2026 100%

Theme B details

Name of theme: Commemoration and education

Total federal theme funding allocated: $63,117,808

2025–26 federal theme planned spending: $1,618,393

2025–26 federal theme actual spending: $607,276

Theme B outcome, performance indicator, target and result
Theme outcome Theme performance indicator Theme target Dates to achieve theme target 2025–26
actual result
Indigenous Peoples' heritage in Canada is protected for future generations Percentage of new and revised designations of national historic sites, persons and events related to Indigenous history Completed – Not applicableTable note a Completed – Not applicableTable note a Completed – Not applicableTable note a
Canadians have access to Indigenous commemorations that contribute to reconciliation Percentage of respondents that report a positive outcome for commemoration activities related to residential schools and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Completed – Not applicableTable note b Completed – Not applicableTable note b Completed – Not applicableTable note b
Table note a

Results are published in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

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Table note b

Results are published in the 2023-24 Departmental Results Report.

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Theme B horizontal initiative activities

Canadian Heritage

Link to the department's program inventory: National Celebrations, Commemorations and Symbols

Horizontal initiative activity: Indian Residential Schools National Monument (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)

Total federal funding allocated to the horizontal initiative activity: $19,967,575

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $1,618,393

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $607,276

Expected results, performance indicators, targets and results
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
Canada's capital region features interpretive content, monuments, commemorations and public art that reflect Canadian identity, culture and values Issuance of a certificate of final completion by Public Services and Procurement CanadaTable note a Received certificate Not applicableTable note b Not applicableTable note c
Table note a

The indicator was updated as the Monument site is now on PSPC property.

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Table note b

Implementation timelines for this project will depend on the work of the Steering Committee.

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Table note c

A certificate will only be issued upon completion of the monument.

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Theme B activities for which funding has ended
Organization Initiative activity Total funding
Parks Canada Commemorating the history and legacy of residential schoolsTable note a $25,000,000 (2022-2025)
Canadian Heritage Commemorate Canada: Commemorating the history and legacy of residential schoolsTable note b $18,150,233 (2022-2024)
Table note a

Results are published in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

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Table note b

Result is published in the 2023-24 Departmental Results Report.

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Theme C details

Name of theme: Supporting Communities and Survivors

Total federal theme funding allocated: $644,434,385

2025–26 federal theme planned spending: $208,551,327

2025–26 federal theme actual spending: $197,282,969

Theme C outcomes, performance indicators, targets and results
Theme outcomes Theme performance indicators Theme targets Date to achieve theme target 2025–26 actual results
Indigenous Peoples are mentally well Percentage of First Nations adults on reserve who reported "excellent" or "very good" mental health 55% March 31, 2028 Not applicable
Percentage of Inuit adults living within Inuit Nunangat who reported "excellent" or "very good" mental health 50% March 31, 2028 Not applicable
Percentage of Métis adults who reported "excellent" or "very good" mental health 58% March 31, 2028 Not applicable
Percentage of First Nations off-reserve who reported "excellent" or "very good" mental health 55% March 31, 2028 Not applicable

Theme C horizontal initiative activities

Indigenous Services Canada

Link to the department's program inventory: Mental Wellness Program

Horizontal initiative activity: Public Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Program (Mental Wellness)

Total federal funding allocated to the horizontal initiative activity: $227,600,000 over two years (2022–23 & 2023–24), $416,834,385 over two years (2024–25 & 2025–26)

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $208,551,327

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $197,282,969

Expected results, performance indicators, targets and results
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
Indigenous people have improved social services that respond to community needs Number of interactions between clients of the trauma-informed Health and Cultural Support Programs and the cultural/emotional support workers 1.2 million annual interactions March 31, 2026 960,428Table note a
Percentage of First Nations adults who have consulted a traditional healer in the past 12 months 24% March 31, 2026 Not availableTable note b
Table note a

The target was not met, and information to explain the variance was not available at the time of reporting.

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Table note b

Results are not yet available. Data collection for the fourth cycle of the First Nations Regional Health Survey (2023-25) is complete, and analysis is underway. Aggregate results are expected next calendar year.

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Theme D details

Name of theme: Sustained and Streamlined Support for Reconciliation Initiatives

Total federal theme funding allocated: $102,655,242

2025–26 federal theme planned spending: $6,401,865

2025–26 federal theme actual spending: $6,218,947

Theme D outcomes, performance indicators, targets and actual results
Theme outcomes Theme performance indicators Theme targets Date to achieve theme targets 2025–26 actual results
Residential school survivors and communities have access to complete archival records on the history of residential schools Percentage of federal departments and agencies that have completed a scoping of their Indian residential schools-related records 90% To be determinedTable note a 90%Table note b
Access to Library and Archives Canada's collection is increased Number of pages related to Indian day schools digitized Not applicableTable note b Not applicableTable note b Not applicableTable note c
Improved relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous people Percentage of surveyed Canadians who self-identify as Indigenous and agree with the statement "I feel safer because of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police" 50% March 31, 2029 Not applicable
Table note a

The date to achieve the theme target was not determined at the time of publication.

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Table note b

As the Chair of the Documents Advisory Committee has placed the work on hold, further progress has not been made.

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Table note c

Results are published in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

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Theme D horizontal initiative activities

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Link to the department's program inventory: Residential Schools Legacy Program

Horizontal initiative activity: Support to National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation operations

Total federal funding allocated to the horizontal initiative activity: $71,011,242 over five years

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $3,615,707

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $3,615,707

Expected results, performance indicators, targets and results
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has enhanced capacity to provide ongoing research support to Indigenous families and communities Percentage of National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation positions funded by CIRNAC that are fully staffed 100% March 31, 2026 100%

Library and Archives Canada

Link to the department's program inventory: Acquisition and Processing of Government Records

Horizontal initiative activity: Records digitization

Total federal funding allocated to the horizontal initiative activity: $25,000,000 ($22,530,790 excluding SSC and PSPC)

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $1,768,249 (excluding SSC and PSPC).

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $1,706,052 (excluding SSC and PSPC costs)

Expected results, performance indicators, targets and results
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
Indian day schools records are searchable for access with a culturally-competent description Percentage of digitized records related to Indian day schools system and its legacy with a culturally-competent description 100% March 31, 2026 85% (4,879,340 pages out of the 5,762,422 digitized pages were described)
Indigenous communities access their documentary heritage Percentage of requests to access Indian day schools records responded to within the statutory time (30 days) 30% March 31, 2026 74% (14 formal requests out of the 19 formal requests received to access Indian day schools' records in 2025-26 were completed within the statutory time)

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Link to the department's program inventory:

  • Specialized Policing Services
  • Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services
  • Forensic Science and Identification Services

Horizontal initiative activity: Culturally-appropriate policing responses

Total federal funding allocated to the horizontal initiative activity: $5,089,545 over five years

2025–26 planned spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $1,017,909

2025–26 actual spending for the horizontal initiative activity: $897,188

Expected results, performance indicators, targets and results
2025–26 horizontal initiative activity expected results 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity performance indicators 2025–26 horizontal initiative activity targets Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target 2025–26 actual results
Increased availability of tools, training, systems and databases Number and type of newly developed, co-developed and acquired tools, techniques and solutions for missing persons and unidentified remains investigations 8 March 31, 2026 15
Improved timeliness of screening capabilitiesTable note a Percentage of fingerprint-based criminal record check results for federal government employment requiring manual processing returned within 30 days 90% March 31, 2026 88.71%Table note b
Percentage of fingerprint-based criminal record check results for federal government employment not requiring manual processing returned within 3 days 90% March 31, 2026 99.91%
Enhanced Royal Canadian Mounted Police capacity to provide specialized services Percentage of partners and stakeholders who strongly agree or agree with the statement "I am satisfied with the assistance or investigational support provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services" 80% March 31, 2026 65%Table note c
Modern specialized services and technology support Canadians and law enforcement Percentage of respondents who strongly agree or agree with the statement "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police places emphasis on providing quality service to the public" 80% March 31, 2026 Not applicableTable note d
Table note a

The RCMP provides fingerprint-based criminal record checks for civil purposes, including in support of legal name change applications. In September 2022, the RCMP sought and was granted a remission order for five years to extinguish the debt resulting from waiving the federal fee payable under the Financial Administration Act, under section 2 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Fingerprinting for Visa, Licensing or Security Clearance Purposes Fee Regulations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Criminal Record Verification for Civil Purposes Fee Regulations for residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system.

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Table note b

Competing priorities and a lack of resources contributed to processing delays, resulting in targets not being met. Additional delays may be incurred when clarification is required on criminal record information submitted by Canadian law enforcement partners.

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Table note c

Result from the 2025-26 National Specialized Services Client, Policing Partners and Stakeholders Survey. The results of the survey will be examined to assist in a determination of how to improve services and better meet needs.

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Table note d

The survey that included this question was not administered in 2025-26.

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Theme D activities for which funding has ended
Organization Initiative activity Total funding
CIRNAC Documents identification and sharingTable note a $1,544,000 (2022-2023)
Table note a

The result was published in the 2022-23 Departmental Results Report.

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Total spending, all themes

Themes Total federal funding allocated 2025–26 total federal planned spending 2025–26 total federal actual spending
Theme A: Addressing missing children and burial information $430,364,198 $61,968,214 $42,379,244
Theme B: Commemoration and education $63,117,808 $1,618,393 $607,276
Theme C: Supporting communities and survivors $644,434,385 $208,551,327 $197,282,969
Theme D: Sustained and streamlined support for reconciliation initiatives $102,644,787 $6,401,865 $6,218,947
Total, all themes $1,240,561,178 $278,539,799 $246,488,436

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