Infrastructure, Water and Community Planning Joint Gathering May 3-4, 2018

Opening Questions Do you have any questions or points of clarification from this morning’s plenary session? If you were to identify 3 issues that should be the focus of our work together going forward, what would they be?    What are your ideas on how we can better work together going forward, including how ISC can work together as one department?

Highlights for Infrastructure Funding 2017/2018 Ontario Region Ontario Region invested over $370 million in infrastructure money to Ontario First Nations. Advanced delivery of 742 projects, from roads and bridges, to housing and water. Every dollar for infrastructure was allocated in Ontario Region. 16 LTDWAs in 6 Ontario First Nations have been removed in Ontario. There are 48 more LTDWAs to go. The Government of Canada is committed to reducing First Nations’ dependency on diesel-generated electricity. On March 22, 2018, Canada and Ontario announced $1.6 billion in federal funding to support Wataynikaneyap Power to connect 16 First Nations to the provincial power grid. 

Community Infrastructure Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories Ontario Region invested $53.8 million in 2017/2018 to address long-term drinking water advisories (LTDWAs), Operator Training and Certification needs, Water/Wastewater Operation supports and enhanced operations and maintenance subsidies for Indigenous Services Canada funded water and wastewater assets. Investments into new infrastructure and upgrades of existing water treatment facilities eliminated 16 LTDWAs in 6 Ontario First Nations serving approximately 2,200 people. There are 48 more LTDWAs to be lifted.

Community Infrastructure Housing Through Budget 2016, as of March 31, 2018: 131 housing units were completed in 24 First Nations; 240 were in progress in 32 First Nations; 94 home renovations were completed in 10 First Nations; and 632 renovations are in progress in 79 First Nations. Nationally, Budget 2018 allocates $600 million over three years for First Nation housing, $500 million over ten years for Métis nation housing and 400 million over ten years for Innu-led housing plan. Fire In 2017/2018, the Department invested approximately $4.8 million in fire halls and equipment, training, Be Fire Safe and Amber’s Fire Safety Campaign. Working with Chiefs of Ontario and other fire partners (Ontario First Nations Technical Service Corporation and Ontario Native Fire Fighter Society) on next steps. Actively engaged with Office of the Chief Coroner.

Community Infrastructure Education Infrastructure In 2017/2018, 16 school feasibility studies were advanced. The design of Biigtigong Nishaabeg’s school was approved. Roads Within Ontario Region, as of March 31, 2018: $28.4 million has been provided for 54 road and bridge projects in 41 First Nations. Freedom Road was completed on reserve Phase I at a cost of $6.8 million.

Community Infrastructure Energy On August 17, 2017, Minister Bennett announced funding of up to $60.2 million for Wataynikaneyap Power to build a 117-kilometre grid line with associated infrastructure from Red Lake into the local distribution system at Pikangikum First Nation. Connection of Pikangikum to the provincial grid is the critical first step in advancing the larger electrification project. The project began in 2017 and is scheduled for completed by late 2018. Broadband Indigenous Services Canada is contributing funding of $2.2 million for the design phase of the Matawa Broadband Development. This supports access to funding from both the Federal and Provincial Governments for the construction phase of an 860 km fibre optic communications network which will improve broadband connectivity in 6 Matawa First Nations.

Social/Health Infrastructure Health Facilities $2,367,107 in Social Infrastructure Funding (SIF) projects for 9 Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve with 1 newly built Centre in 2017/2018 and totaling 2 new program centres over 2 years. $21,627,213 in SIF, accelerating replacement and major renovations to improve how healthcare is delivered for 7 health facilities. SIF is also equipping 2 remote hospitals with funding to address major renovations. Overall Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funding with in the Health Infrastructure Program remained stable at $13,584,563 provided in annual funding.

Lands and Economic Development Solid Waste Management In 2017/2018, Ontario Region provided support to 80 projects, including: studies, landfills or transfer stations constructions projects, Municipal Type Service Agreements and outreach programs. Total Funding Support: $12 million. Ontario Region is looking to build capacity at Tribal Councils, First Nations and OFNTSC with Waste Coordinators (16 positions, 2 OFNTSC to help in program planning and implementation). Ontario Region is exploring new regional approach/mechanism to support solid waste management, driven by First Nation engagement (Think Tank/Focus Group).

Lands and Economic Development Contaminated Sites In 2017/2018, Ontario Region provided support to 20 projects, including: 4 large clean-up projects in northern Ontario. Total Funding Support: $17 million. Looking ahead, the Region has 34 planned projects ($24 million).

Lands and Economic Development Lands Management Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP) developed to support First Nation capacity development in Indian Act land management. 31 First Nations in RLEMP. Total Funding Support: $3 million. Looking ahead, there will be a focus on RLEMP improvements and department consulting with First Nations on changes to adapt program to meet the needs of First Nations engaged in modern lands management. Encouraging lands management capacity, leading to First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA).

Lands and Economic Development First Nations Lands Management 31 active First Nation communities (15 Operational Stage & 16 Developmental Stage). 3 First Nations successfully ratified their Land Code;  7 new communities joined the Developmental Stage. Ontario Region flowed $3.2 million in First Nations Lands Management (FNLM) Operational funding, $275 thousand in FNLM Capacity Building and $220 thousand for FNLM Environmental Site Assessment projects. 7 First Nations are anticipated to vote on their Land Codes. Ontario Region will continue to support a growing number of First Nations with their interest in FNLM. Ontario Region will continue to explore partnerships that can provide FNLM First Nations with resources to manage their own lands.

Lands and Economic Development Additions to Reserve 6 additions to reserve (ATRs) were finalized during fiscal years 2017/2018. In 2017/2018, Ontario Region is targeting 11 new ATRs. Ontario Region continues to implement the 2016 ATR/Reserve Creation Policy Directive which provides enhanced eligibility for ATRs, including urban reserves.

Lands and Economic Development In 2017/2018, Ontario Region provided funding to Whitesand First Nation to develop an industrial park to support new biomass and wood processing facilities ($1.9 million). Ontario Region provided funding to Wahkohtowin Development, a wholly-owned corporation by Chapleau Cree, Brunswick House, Missanabie Cree and Pic Mobert First Nations, to purchase of an equity stake in Hornepayne Power Inc., a green energy cogeneration facility ($1 million). Total Funding Support: $17.2 million. Ontario Region is exploring a new regional approach to support economic development, driven by First Nation engagement and inputs and based upon “less government and more First Nation.”

Lands and Economic Development Comprehensive Community Plan Regional commitment to support First Nations interested in developing a Comprehensive Community Plan (CPP), despite no dedicated funding program. Provided funding support to 30 First Nations over a 3 year process. Total Funding Support: $2.2 million. A national Working Group, inclusive of regional First Nation representation is developing a national Community Development Strategy with a focus on comprehensive community planning and dedicated funding supports.

Governance, Individual Affairs and Government Relations Emergency Management Ontario Region is working on a trilateral or double bilateral emergency agreement process for natural emergencies. The Department will continue to collaborate with the Office of the Fire Marshal Emergency Management Unit to address emergency responses and evacuations. In 2017/2018, Ontario Region provided $6.8 million evacuating Kashechewan and an additional $1 million to the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation to develop and exercise emergency plans, enabling communities to be prepared for emergency responses. Ontario Region is working with all of our partners to develop the best approach for ensuring natural emergency needs of communities are responded to as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Governance, Individual Affairs and Government Relations Tribal Councils Ontario Region is exploring the creation of a Regional Advisory Committee for Tribal Councils, in order to better support their work and the services that they provide to member communities. The Department is seeking suggestions for what Ontario Region could achieve in the context of current funding approaches and new fiscal arrangements. $3.6 million for core operations of Tribal Councils. Given INAC’s recent transition into CIRNA and ISC, how can we ensure that a clear point of contact is established between DISC/CIRNA to ensure an efficient and streamlined service? Governance Development Ontario Region supports First Nations that have identified the importance of developing and improving stable and sustainable governance. Provided funding to 64 First Nations governance development initiatives ($3.9 million).

Governance, Individual Affairs and Government Relations Indigenous Representative Organizations In 2017/2018, Indigenous Representative Organizations (IROs) ‎ received a total transfer of approximately $31 million from both Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs in support of the priorities as mandated by their member communities. Ontario Region is working with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to establish a greater regional presence in the development of future funding approaches for IROs; one that will incorporate the many unique circumstances facing Ontario First Nations. How might Indigenous Services Canada work more collaboratively with ‎ the regional IROs in meeting their mandates by their member First Nation communities?

Priorities Ahead Ending LTDWAs and greater First Nation control (ex. HUBS, EHOs, pilots) Housing Immediate health and safety Leveraged funding Legislative obligations Growth Health facility fuel tank system compliance assessments and upgrades Budget 2018 commitment to planned development of a new hospital to support access to quality and First Nations-controlled health care as part of the Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement