Question Period Note: Income Assistance Program

• Program funding helps First Nations provide income assistance to individuals living on reserve and case management supports for individuals transitioning to education or employment.
• Budget 2021 announced $618.4 million to:
o address basic needs and increased program demand, including as a result of COVID-19, and
o continue providing case management and supports to help people find work.
• In 2020, $270 million was added to meet increased income assistance needs arising from the pandemic.
• Following the publication of the 2018-2020 First Nations-led engagement report on Income Assistance, the department is working with First Nation partners towards reforming the program in order to serve on-reserve individuals and families better.

The Income Assistance program provides funding to assist eligible individuals and families living on reserve with: basic needs, special needs, employment and pre-employment measures designed to increase self-reliance, to improve life skills and to promote greater attachment to the work force. In 2017-18, the program had expenditures of $974 million, and served approximately 81,000 clients and 69,000 dependents. The on reserve income assistance dependency rate is 27.5% compared to 5.5% off reserve. In 2018-19, more than 5,400 clients received case management supports and approximately 1,900 exited Income Assistance to employment (50%), to education (12%), or for other reasons (38%).

In order to support individuals and families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic an additional $270 million was made available to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance program to help meet essential living expenses.

Indigenous Services Canada received $8.5 million over two years in funding via Budget 2018 to support a First Nation-led engagement process on how to make the Income Assistance program more responsive to the needs of individuals and families on reserve. A series of engagement activities where held by First Nation communities and organizations across the country in 2018-2019 and the results of these engagements fed into the development of a National Summary Report. Two virtual workshops hosted by Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute and Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association were held in January 2021. These workshops served to finalize the National Engagement Summary Report and begin conversations regarding next steps in Income Assistance reform. The report on the national engagement was finalized and published May 28, 2021.

If pressed on case management results

• Through personalized plans and by providing access to multiple supports, case management and pre-employment supports help address a client’s barriers and needs as they move towards self-sufficiency.

• Since the introduction of case management and pre-employment supports in 2013 to select communities, the national on-reserve dependency rate on Income Assistance has decreased from 34.0% in 2011-12 to 27.7% in 2018-19.

• In 2018-19, more than 5,400 clients received case management supports and approximately 1,900 exited Income Assistance to employment (50%), to education (12%), or for other reasons (38%).

If pressed on Income Assistance engagement

• Budget 2018 provided $8.5 million over two years to engage with First Nations to understand how to make the Income Assistance program more responsive to the needs of individuals and families living on reserve.

• My department funded First Nation-led, regionally specific engagement activities which concluded in the spring of 2019.

• Following the validation of the draft engagement report via two First Nations-led national workshops in early 2021, the final report was published on the departmental website in May 2021.

• Departmental officials are working with First Nation partners towards reforming the program in order to serve on-reserve individuals and families better.

If pressed on Universal Basic Income

• Indigenous Services Canada provides supports for individuals and families living on reserve and Status Indians in Yukon to meet their needs through the Income Assistance and Assisted Living programs.

• The Income Assistance program works to meet the essential needs for food, clothing and shelter as well as funds case management and pre-employment supports for clients’ transitioning to education or employment.

• The Assisted Living Program aims to ensure that in-home, group-home and institutional care supports are accessible to eligible low-income individuals to help them maintain their independence.

• There are currently no plans for a universal basic income program; however, both programs are currently working with Indigenous partners to undertake program reforms and will consider different solutions.