Question Period Note: $75.2 million distinctions-based funding to support post-secondary students during COVID-19:

• We recognize that Indigenous post-secondary students are facing unique challenges as a result of COVID-19.

• We are investing $75.2M in 2020-21 to support students through the existing First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation Post-Secondary strategies to address increased costs resulting from the pandemic.

• Funds may be used to support students with expenses such as tuition for summer enrolment or additional academic terms, technology and equipment to support online course delivery, living expenses and child care.

BACKGROUND
Post-Secondary Education
Budget 2017 announced a comprehensive and collaborative review with Indigenous partners of all current federal programs that support Indigenous students who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Between 2017 and 2018, Indigenous Services Canada held a series of discussions with Indigenous students, academic leaders and institutions to obtain a wide range of reflections on the Government of Canada’s current post-secondary education programming for Indigenous students, and to discuss possible improvements. The department also engaged with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council on potential post-secondary education reforms. As part of this process, the three Indigenous Representative Organizations each developed distinctions-based policy proposals for transforming Indigenous post-secondary education.
Stakeholder feedback from the review and the National Indigenous Organization’s policy proposals informed Budget 2019’s total investment of $814.9 million over 10 years and $61.8 million ongoing to support distinctions-based Indigenous post-secondary education strategies. For First Nations, this includes $327.5 million over 5 years to renew and expand funding for the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, and $7.5 million over 3 years to support engagement on the development of integrated First Nations regional post-secondary education models. In addition, Budget 2019 allocated $125.5 million over 10 years and $21.8 million ongoing for a new Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy, and $362 million over 10 years and $40 million ongoing for a new Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy. These strategies include direct funding assistance for students (including tuition, supplies and accommodation), complementary programs and services, and institutional and governance capacity to support service delivery.
Indigenous post-secondary students are facing unique challenges (e.g. financial instability and unplanned additional expenses) as a result of COVID-19. Colleges and universities have closed campuses for all non-essential services and students have had to transition to online learning. Financial instability is a primary concern as the measures meant to control the spread of the pandemic have further jeopardized students’ financial situation (i.e. limited opportunities for summer employment).

On April 22, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a comprehensive support strategy for post-secondary students and recent graduates, which includes a one-time increase of $75.2 million in 2020-21. In addition to the existing distinctions-based support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation students, this investment will help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous PSE students to ensure they can continue to pursue and maintain their studies.

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