Question Period Note: Funding Supports – COVID-19

• As of April 2021, following the Budget 2021 announcements, the Government of Canada has committed over $5.4 billion to support Indigenous communities and organizations through the pandemic.

• The support provided to Indigenous communities and organizations is broad and intended to cover a range challenges that may be faced during the pandemic such as: public health responses; community safety; elder care; food security; and education and business supports.

• Canada has and continues to rely on local leadership to ensure that needs are met and communities remain able to respond effectively to the pandemic.

Recognizing that First Nation, Inuit and Métis are among the most at risk and face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19, Canada has established a number of supports that are targeted specifically to Indigenous peoples. These supports are also a reflection of the role that the federal government plays with respect to service delivery on reserve and to Indigenous populations in urban settings. Canada’s approach to supporting Indigenous peoples through this crisis recognizes the strength of Indigenous leadership, governments and organizations in determining and responding to the needs of their communities and the challenges faced by them.

As of April 2021, following the Budget 2021 announcements, the Government of Canada have committed over $5.4 billion to support Indigenous communities and organizations:

• $926.7 million to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities with an additional $478.1 million on a cash basis through Budget 21 to continue to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities, including support to hire nurses, help at-risk people to isolate, and distribute personal protective equipment.
• $1.8 billion to be delivered through the distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, with an an additional $760,800,000 provided through Budget 21.

• ICSF1 consists of $380,000,000 available to all Indigenous communities and organizations through direct allocation
• ICSF2 consists of $305,000,000 available to all Indigenous communities and organizations through direct allocation and a needs based process.
• ICSF3 consists of $380,000,000 available to all Indigenous communities and organizations. $145 million in direct allocation to First Nation, Inuit and Métis based on the same allocation methodology in ICSF 2;

• $75 million for urban and off-reserve proposals;
• $80 million for contingency funding was held in reserve at HQ to respond rapidly to acute pressures, such as outbreaks.
• $23 million in needs-based allocations;
• $30 million was set aside for requests related to perimeter security on reserve to respond rapidly to acute pressures, such as outbreaks.
• The remaining $50 million was allocated to regions to support unfunded proposals or top-up proposals that were only partially funded in ICSF 2.

• ICSF4 consists of $760,800,000 with delivery options being considered.

• $10 million for emergency family violence prevention shelters on reserve and in Yukon to support women and children fleeing violence.
• $137.3 million for health and social services support to the governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
• $34.3 million for territorial businesses, through CanNor’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.
• $25 million for enhancement to the Nutrition North Canada Subsidy.
• $17.3 million in support for Northern Air Carriers.
• $15 million for CanNor’s Northern Business Relief Fund.
• Up to $306.8 million in interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses.
• $75.2 million in 2020-21, and an additional $150.6 million through Budget 21 over two years, starting in 2021-22, in distinctions-based support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation students pursuing post-secondary education.
• $270 million to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program to address increased demand on the program, which will help individuals and families meet their essential living expenses.
• $44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters, which will help protect and support Indigenous women and girls experiencing and fleeing violence. The Government of Canada will also provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and $10.2 million annually ongoing. Starting this year, $1 million a year ongoing will also be provided to support engagement with Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, LGBTQ and two-spirited people.
• $117 million to support community-owned and micro-businesses through the Indigenous Community Business Fund, with an additional $117 million provided through Budget 21 to extend this support.
• $33.4 million in 2021-22 to support the First Nations Finance Authority pooled borrowing regime;
• $16 million to support Indigenous tourism businesses through the COVID-19 Indigenous Tourism Stimulus Development Fund.
• $82.5 million in mental health and wellness supports to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improving access and addressing growing demand, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• $112 million to support a safe return to elementary and secondary schools for First Nations on reserves, with an additional $112 million provided through Budget 21 to extend this support.
• $41 million has been allocated to Canada’s Territories to safely restart their economies and make the country more resilient to possible future surges.
• $120.7 million to help Indigenous early learning and child care facilities safely operate during the pandemic.
• $59 million for First Nations to adapt their on reserve community infrastructure.
• $25.9 million to provide immediate support to Indigenous post-secondary institutions in 2020-21, with an additional $26.4 million, in 2021-22, through the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program and the Inuit and Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategies to support Indigenous postsecondary institutions during COVID-19.
• $332.8 million in 2021-22 to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to offset declines in own-source revenues and to help ensure that Indigenous communities can continue to provide the same level of core community programs and services to their members.
• $186.8 million over two years to address needs and gaps in supportive care facilities and provide additional home care in Indigenous communities in order to protect elder and other vulnerable communities members
• $144.2 million in 2021-22 to the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program to bolster support to those hit hardest by the pandemic by providing training and supports to young Indigenous people, Indigenous people with disabilities, and out-of-territory and vulnerable Indigenous people to prepare them for good jobs. This funding also helps improve labour market data and service delivery.
• $3 million to CanNor for foundational economic development projects that will support small businesses in Canada’s Territories.

The Government of Canada is working to secure safe and effective vaccines to prevent COVID-19. As of April 7, 2021, vaccinations in 614 communities are underway with 264,606 doses administered. ISC is also supporting vaccinations in urban Indigenous communities through supporting planning efforts and working closely with provinces and territories, First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, the National Association of Friendship Centres and other urban community service organizations.

It is important to note that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, regardless of where they reside, also have had access to all other measures provided through the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. These measures include the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), and Employment Insurance (which has undergone temporary changes to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

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