Question Period Note: Fire Safety

N/A

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working with First Nations, tribal councils and Indigenous fire expert organizations to support fire protection on reserves.
• The Assembly of First Nations and ISC have co-developed a renewed First Nations Fire Protection Strategy for 2023 to 2028, which works to improve program policy, guide investments, and promote fire protection on-reserve.
• ISC will continue to work with First Nations' leadership to support their priorities for their communities. This may include firefighting equipment, fire safety prevention and education.

On reserves, fire protection is managed by First Nations’ band councils. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides funding for fire protection every year as part of a First Nation's core capital funding. The level of funding each First Nation receives for fire protection is determined through a regionally-based formula. It looks at several factors, including the number of buildings on the reserve, population, local environment and how close the reserve is to other communities. First Nation band councils can use these funds to run their own fire departments or to contract fire protection services from nearby communities. If a First Nation decides to contract with a nearby community, it is the responsibility of the First Nation to manage that agreement. First Nations that contract with local municipalities may also have access to 9-1-1 services. First Nations may choose to use certain fire protection funding on other priorities.
Between 2016 and 2024, ISC provided an average of $50.2 million annually for fire protection, through both core and targeted funding streams, including annual averages of:
• $15.4 million for capital investments (fire trucks, fire halls, etc.),
• $15.6 million for operations and maintenance of assets,
• $5.0 million for firefighter training, and
• $14.2 million in targeted funding from Budgets 2013, 2016, 2017, 2022 and the Canada Community-Building Fund
ISC also funds Mental Health Therapist services and crisis response teams for community members dealing with the devastating loss following a fire. ISC also ensures that resources are available to debrief first responders.

Sandy Lake First Nation (Ontario)

On May 22, 2025 a fire at Sandy Lake First Nation took the life of a child. The house belonged to the community's fire marshal. A fire shield in the home allowed for the escape of the nine remaining occupants, who have been treated for smoke inhalation. An investigation into the fire and death is ongoing.

In February 2025, another house fire took the life of a four-year-old child. The fire originated in a four-bedroom home housing 13 people. In January 2022, three children also died in a house fire in Sandy Lake.

In fall 2024, Sandy Lake filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alongside Oneida Nation of the Thames, over Canada's funding of fire services in First Nations.

ISC supports Sandy Lake First Nation’s fire protection assets and programming. Between 2016 and 2025, ISC has provided $1,076,866 for fire protection and training, and $403,313 for fire truck maintenance. Recent investment include:
• $1,259,964 to support the construction of a new fire hall, which was completed in August 2021;
• $796,956 in fire-related operations and maintenance funding since 2020; and
• $20,000 for fire protection planning and training in 2023-2024 as part of the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy.

If pressed on Fatal Fire in Sandy Lake First Nation
• ISC offers our deepest condolences to the family and community members of Sandy Lake First Nation following a fatal house fire that took the life of a child on May 22nd.
• Health care providers in the community are treating the remaining occupants for injuries resulting from smoke inhalation.
• ISC recognizes the profound impact of this tragedy, and is committed to continue supporting First Nations communities in fire prevention activities, including fire education, training, and equipment.

If pressed on the greater incidence of fire-related deaths on-reserve
• Fire-related mortalities are over ten times higher for First Nations people on-reserve than for non-Indigenous people.
• A report of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council identified factors that may contribute to this higher rate, including: lack of smoke detectors; underfunding of fire services in Indigenous communities; and overcrowded living conditions.
• Each life lost due to fire is one too many. The Government is confident that, by working together, long-term strategies can be developed that will result in significant changes for First Nations communities across Canada.

If pressed on Fire Protection investments
• ISC provides funding to First Nations for a variety of fire protection services, such as the construction of new fire halls, purchase of fire trucks, firefighting tools and equipment, and training and educating firefighters and community members.
• Most recently, through Budget 2024, the Government of Canada committed to providing $20.9 million over 3 years, beginning in 2024-25, to support the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy.
• Since 2016 and as of December 31, 2024, the Government has invested $151.3 million in targeted funding to support 374 fire protection projects, of which 253 have been completed.

If pressed on Oneida Nation of the Thames and Sandy Lake First Nation Fire Protection litigation
• The Government recognizes that First Nation communities are disproportionately affected by fire incidents that can have devastating impacts on families and communities.
• Canada respects the choices of First Nations, including Oneida Nation of the Thames and Sandy Lake First Nation, to seek the Court’s assistance on the important issue of fire protection.
• We continue to work with all First Nations to advance fire prevention infrastructure, support fire safety awareness and education, and maintain partnerships that promote fire prevention and protection on-reserve.