Question Period Note: Urban Support

• Indigenous peoples living in urban centres face unique needs and challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In 2020-21, approximately $1.1 billion was provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund to help Indigenous communities and organizations prevent, prepare and respond to the pandemic.

• Specifically for off-reserve and urban Indigenous organizations, it included:
o $90 million in the initial phase of the Fund;
o A portion of the $160 million needs-based funding announced in August 2020;
o $75 million of the $380 million announced in November 2020.

More than half of the Indigenous population in Canada lives in an urban centre. Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples is designed to assist First Nations, Inuit, and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centres, and aims to address challenges faced by some of the most at-risk community members, including Indigenous women.

Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples was created in 2017 based on feedback received during the 2016 comprehensive engagement process on the Urban Aboriginal Strategy. Budget 2017 provided $118.5 million over 5 years to fund the new programming, totalling support of $53 million per year. In addition, Budget 2019 provided $60 million over five years in infrastructure investments for Friendship Centres and other recipients of Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples funding. Funding is provided through five streams: Organizational Capacity, Programs and Services, Coalitions, Research and Innovation, and Infrastructure. Distinctions-based funding includes allocations for friendship centres, the Métis Nation, and the Inuit.

Similar to other vulnerable populations, there is a risk that the impact of the pandemic may further marginalize Indigenous peoples, and widen the inequality gap. Canada has been providing targeted investments to mitigate this risk, notably through the distinctions based Indigenous Community Support Fund. This fund is meant to provide Indigenous leadership and organizations with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. This funding flows through a combination of allocations directly to First Nations, Inuit and Métis leadership and an application driven process open to Indigenous communities and organizations serving First Nations living off-reserve and Indigenous Peoples living in urban centres. Between March and May 2020, $90 million was allotted for urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations. In August 2020, an additional $305 million was announced, including $160 million in needs-based COVID-19 support. On November 30, 2020, the Government announced a further $380 million, which includes a $75 million set-aside for urban/off reserve Indigenous communities and organizations, through the Fall Economic Statement for the third phase of this Fund, bringing the total investment in 2020-21 to approximately $1.1 billion.

If pressed on urban supports

• The initial phase of the Indigenous Community Support Fund allocated $90 million to off-reserve and urban Indigenous organizations through a proposal-based process.

• A further $160 million in needs-based funding was distributed to Indigenous communities and organizations. Funding was provided through an application process with a portion going to urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.

• The 2020 Fall Economic Statement announced an additional $380 million for the third phase of the Indigenous Community Support Fund, including $75 million to support Indigenous peoples living in urban centres and First Nations living off reserve.

If pressed on Community Support Fund Allocation

• Funding under the Indigenous Community Support Fund, is designed to allow for maximum flexibility to fund local priorities and needs.

• Recognizing the ongoing needs, we announced an additional $380 million through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement. This brought the investment into the Fund to more than $1.1 billion in 2020-21.

• We worked quickly to get funds out the door and have flowed funds directly to Indigenous communities and groups across the country.

If pressed on who was consulted on urban supports

• Given the urgency due to the global pandemic, no formal consultations were undertaken with respect to the initial phase of the Indigenous Community Support Fund urban funding.

• Indigenous communities and organizations were invited to submit proposals for the needs-based portion of the second phase of the Fund.