Question Period Note: Office of the Auditor General Report Response

• This unprecedented wildfire season is one that has impacted a
record number of First Nation communities. Ensuring that they
receive the supports they require now and into the future is our
top priority.
• ISC is committed to implementing the seven recommendations
in the Auditor General’s report on Emergency Management in
First Nations communities.
• ISC has developed a comprehensive action plan to ensure gaps
are addressed and First Nations have the tools and resources
they need to prepare, prevent, mitigate, and respond to
emergency events.
• ISC will be there to support the immediate recovery efforts of
communities in a way that reduces future vulnerability and
strengthens resilience.

On November 15, 2022, the Office of the Auditor General tabled its performance audit
report on ISC’s emergency management in First Nations.
• The Government of Canada agrees with the seven recommendations in the Office of the
Auditor General’s report “Managing Emergencies in First Nations Communities” and
Indigenous Services Canada is committed to acting on each recommendation.
• The Office of the Auditor General examined the Department’s activities related to floods,
wildfires, landslides, and severe weather events, because these are the most prevalent
types of emergencies affecting First Nation communities.
• The Office of the Auditor General’s preliminary findings consisted of concise claims of
ISC’s performance and seven recommendations for improvement, to which the
Department agrees with.
• Overall, their findings indicate that ISC did not provide the support First Nation
communities needed to manage emergencies, the Department’s actions were more
reactive than preventative, and the Department has not identified which communities
were the least likely to be able to manage emergencies and does not know whether First
Nations received services that were culturally appropriate and comparable to services
provided in municipalities of similar sizes.
• The Department has worked extensively with the Office of the Auditor General to clarify
the findings and the recommendations, and has validated that the final report is factually
accurate.
• The Management Response Action Plan was tabled on March 20th 2023 to the
Parliamentary Standing committee on Public Accounts

If pressed on ISC’s Management Response Action Plan
• In partnership with First Nations, ISC is directly advancing the
Auditor General’s recommendations through its Management
Response Action Plan.
• ISC will ensure that communities most at risk are identified and
supports and investments are delivered proactively to them.
• ISC has worked with First Nation communities to determine
which unfunded structural mitigation projects remain a priority.
• The development and negotiation of multilateral service
agreements is progressing in partnership with First Nations and
provinces/territories.
• ISC is working towards ensuring that First Nations receive
emergency services that are culturally appropriate and
comparable to services off-reserve.