Question Period Note: Budget 2024 Funding to Northern Affairs

• In Budget 2024, $138.5 million in funding was announced for Northern Affairs over the next three years.

• Through Budget 2024, the Government of Canada continues to invest in key areas to strengthen the northern economy and unlock pathways to prosperity and well-being for the next generation.

• We will continue to support Canadians in the North by delivering on these funding commitments, and to address contaminated sites and build on housing and infrastructure investments.

N/A

If pressed on Northern Affairs Funding

• $124.3 million over three years is provided to continue support for the Nutrition North Canada Program to address food security in the North. This investment builds on existing programs and recognizes the vital importance of northern food security for all northern communities.

• We are continuing to support northern post-secondary education through funding of $5.2 million, over two years, for the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning.

• $9 million for Indigenous organizations are also provided in the Northwest Territories for addressing urgent capacity requirements related to the wildfires that affected the territory in 2023.

If pressed on broader funding across the North/Arctic

• Our government will continue to support of Arctic security, through the $8.1 billion investment towards Canada’s Defence Policy Update, Our North, Strong and Free.

• We will continue to work to advance remediation of contaminated sites and infrastructure and housing investments.

• Budget 2024 investments across ministerial portfolios will support the growth and well-being of northern and Arctic communities. Examples of these investments include:

o The development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy;
o Re-investing in the Strategic Innovation Fund for broad economic development;
o Development of a National School Food Program;
o Re-investing in the Polar Continental Shelf Program; and,
o Continue to advance initiatives towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.