Question Period Note: Budget 2022 – Indigenous Investments

• Budget 2022’s investments provide support to Indigenous initiatives.
• The federal government proposes to invest an additional $11 billion over six years for continued support of Indigenous children and families, and to ensure Indigenous communities have the resources necessary to continue to grow and shape their own futures.
• However, more work needs to be done and the federal government will continue to work alongside Indigenous peoples to address historic injustices, support nations and communities in their rebuilding efforts, and accelerate self-determination and self-government.

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If pressed on Legacy of Residential Schools and Budget 2022
• This government is taking clear action to address the shameful legacy of residential schools and colonialism, and will continue to support communities as they heal from the ongoing impact of residential schools.
• Budget 2022 proposes to provide a total of $275.3 million dollars to undertake important work, including to document, locate and memorialize burial sites, allow for the appointment of a Special Interlocutor, encourage community-led responses, document digitization, and the commemoration and memorialization of former residential school sites.

If pressed on Housing and Budget 2022
• Access to safe and affordable housing is critical to improving health and social outcomes and to ensuring a better future for Indigenous peoples and their communities.

• The Government of Canada has committed more than $2.7 billion to support Indigenous communities since 2015, and Budget 2022 proposes to build on these investments and provide a further $4 billion over seven years to accelerate work in closing Indigenous housing gaps, with funding for First Nations, Self-Governing and Modern Treaty, Inuit, and Métis communities.

If Pressed on RIRSD Discussion Tables
• Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) (RIRSD) tables have provided an opportunity for Indigenous groups to discuss their rights, interests, and needs with Canada, and is a proven venue that enables all partners to move forward on reconciliation.

• Budget 2022 provides $100.7 million over two years to support ongoing discussions with Indigenous groups at RIRSD tables. The funding will support the existing 97 RIRSD tables as well as the program’s modest anticipated growth. Funding will further ensure that agreements concluded through RIRSD discussions can be fully implemented by Canada.