1. Community Infrastructure Directorate Ontario Region November 2016

2. Agenda
Budget 2016 Investments
Accessing Infrastructure Funding
First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan
First Nation Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program
Budget 2016 Housing Initiative
Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Tripartate Water Working Group

3. Budget 2016 Investments
The Government of Canada is making historic investments to support Indigenous people and communities across the country.
$8.4 billion allocated in the first five years of its mandate (2016/2017 – 2020/2021) to address infrastructure, social and health issues.
Approximately $4 billion was committed by INAC to water and wastewater, housing, education and other community infrastructure on reserves:
$1.833B over five years for water and wastewater;
$416.6M over two years for housing;
$969.4M over five years for education facilities;
$331.9M over two years for other community infrastructure – including cultural and recreation facilities; and
$408.9M over five years for solid waste management.
The National Assessment of First Nations Water and Infrastructure identified the pressing need for more investments in water and wastewater infrastructure as well as increased support for facility operations and maintenance in First Nation communities across the country.
Allocations under Budget 2016’s Housing Initiative were prioritized nationally in , focusing on housing conditions, housing densities, remoteness and percentage of residents on income assistance.
Investments in First Nation Education Infrastructure Fund will support new construction, major additions, renovations and major repairs identified in the national School Priority Ranking Framework completed in 2015.
Cultural and recreational centres, or smaller projects such as community gardens, play important roles in improving the social fabric of First Nations communities by serving as gathering points, connecting individuals and families to their communities, encouraging social and economic participation.
Funding will allow First Nations located near municipalities to divert waste from reserve lands to municipal facilities, reduce amount of garbage through recycling and composting programs, and provide for the construction of well-engineered landfills for remote First Nations communities.

4. Budget 2016 Investments in Ontario
As of the beginning of October, over $122 million has been set aside from Budget 2016 to address infrastructure needs in Ontario in the following five categories this fiscal year:
Water & Wastewater - $33.6 million
Housing - $61.9 million
Education Facilities - $12.8 million
Other Community Infrastructure - $12.3 million
Solid Waste Management - $1.5 million
Ontario Region is providing First Nations with an additional $183.4 million in non-Budget 2016 funding for on-reserve infrastructure.
Water - Ontario Region is working with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation to develop a sustainable plan so that all First Nations in the Region have access to clean and safe drinking water over the long term.
Figures as of October 17, 2016

5. Budget 2016 Investments in Ontario cont’d
Ontario Region has worked with First Nations to invest Budget 2016 allocations. As of October 17, 2016, successes include:
21 water and wastewater projects are underway which will benefit more than 15,520 people;
228 housing projects are underway which will benefit more than 82,420 residents;
17 school project are in development to benefit more than 14,500 students;
Eight culture and recreation projects that will benefit more than 3,700 people;
Five energy, environment and connectivity projects that will benefit more than 4,900 people;
10 community infrastructure projects for use by more than 16,670 people.
As a side note, the Government of Canada invested over $44.4 million in funding for new elementary schools in Fort Severn and Poplar Hill. Over $66.5 million in funding was also provided for the Pikangikum elementary/secondary school. Classes have been ongoing for students since September 2016.
Figures accurate as of October 17, 2016

6. Accessing Infrastructure Funding
Depending upon the type of infrastructure project a First Nation is pursuing, funding is accessed through a variety of INAC programs.
INAC’s Capital Management Officers (CMO) work with First Nations on planning for, and delivering infrastructure projects to, meet their community’s needs, and advise and assist First Nations with the Department’s processes for project approval and funding.
Except for specialized funding programs, the first step to accessing infrastructure funding is the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan.

7. First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan (FNIIP)
The FNIIP is used to access proposal-based funding for infrastructure projects that First Nations wish to undertake in their communities.
FNIIP submissions are used by departmental officials to plan and prioritize infrastructure investments in First Nation communities across Ontario Region.
Projects vary in size and scope, and can include anything from a water treatment plant upgrade to multi-unit housing or a school.
First Nations are sent letters, forms and instructions annually inviting them to submit their proposed infrastructure projects by the deadline of September 30th.
The Plan is divided into two components: formula-funded and project-funded allocations.

8. FNIIP, cont’d Formula-Funded Allocations
First Nations receive formula-based funding annually for the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure assets, and for investing in new infrastructure under cost-sharing agreements.
Two FNIIP types, depending upon funding agreements:
Block funding: the FNIIP is approved for a five-year period, but is reviewed and updated annually. Full core capital funding may be used for infrastructure needs eligible under the Capital Facilities Maintenance Program (CFMP).
Non-block funding: the FNIIP is reviewed and updated annually. The plan must outline expenditures to address Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS) health and safety deficiencies first. The balance can be used for other CFMP needs.
Block and non-block funding reviews begin during the first week of October, starting with the initial program overview, followed by a more detailed environmental review.
Formula funding may be adjusted from year-to-year.
Each core funding activity (ACRS and CFMP) must have a project information collection instrument – the new environmental review form.

9. FNIIP, cont’d Proposal-Funded Allocations
First Nations submit a list of community infrastructure project proposals requiring departmental funding.
Projects are listed in order of importance or urgency to the First Nation’s needs.
Each project listed in the submission includes a concept description, outline of its rationale for funding, total estimated cost, cost-share amount or other sources of funding, as well as a cash-flow schedule.
It is crucial to submit your plans outlining your proposal-funded activities as the Region uses them to plan their infrastructure expenditures, ranked according to need, for the coming fiscal year.

10. First Nation Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program (FNWWEP)
This program provides funding to bring drinking water and wastewater operations in First Nation communities to a service level similar to those available to Canadians living in communities of similar size and location.
FNWWEP funds feasibility studies, the design and construction of new or upgrades to existing water and wastewater treatment systems, as well as operator training and supports.
First Nations do not apply to the program – funds are available to support priority projects identified in the FNIIPs.
Our immediate priority is to address long-term drinking water advisories in the Region.

11. Budget 2016 Housing Initiative
Budget 2016’s housing initiative is proposal-based and national in scope, addressing the most pressing First Nations’ housing needs across the country.
INAC sent a letter and information package to First Nations in May 2016, inviting them to identify their on-reserve housing infrastructure needs and submit funding applications by three deadlines: June 23, July 29 and September 30, 2016.
In , INAC prioritized First Nation submissions using the criteria of remoteness, housing density, housing conditions and the number of community members on social assistance.
The Government of Canada will engage with First Nation representatives over the coming year to develop an effective, sustainable and long-term approach to housing to adequately meet community needs on a continuous basis.

12. Budget 2016 Housing Initiative, cont’d
1. Immediate Needs Fund
Focused on First Nations communities with high immediate needs for on-reserve housing.
Funds are provided for new construction, renovation and lot servicing.
Funding levels were made available in the information package sent to all First Nations, as well as the type of units eligible for funding. Eligible categories include:
Construction of multi-unit housing for social needs;
Renovation of band-owned (rental) housing and additions for vulnerable groups; and
Lot servicing.
First Nations were invited to submit housing proposals to three different fund categories:
Construction of multi-unit housing for social needs;
Renovation of band-owned (rental) housing and additions for vulnerable groups; and
Lot servicing.

13. Budget 2016 Housing Initiative, cont’d
2. Capacity Development Fund
This fund focuses on helping First Nations increase their ability to oversee and manage their on-reserve housing. Eligible categories include:
Governance development and training to assist in community and infrastructure planning and the development of housing policies;
Home maintenance training for housing managers, staff and tenants; community education on tenant roles and responsibilities; preventing and addressing mould; establishing asset-lifecycle maintenance plans; and
Housing management tools, including:
Training in construction and renovation planning and execution, operation of housing maintenance programs, and basic accounting; and
Developing and managing an on-reserve housing inventory and maintaining a status and needs assessment.

14. Budget 2016 Housing Initiative, cont’d
3. Innovation Fund
Encourages First Nation communities to pursue innovative approaches to on-reserve housing management and governance that benefit the entire community. Eligible categories include:
Developing or using new on-reserve housing governance structures/models, which includes but is not limited to:
Creating a housing authority to manage, operate and administer funding and programs;
Bringing housing service delivery under one entity/organization; and
Supporting mentorship opportunities for those who want to receive or give mentoring training from/to another First Nation.
Alternative funding models to support on-reserve housing needs such as creating a revolving-loan fund or providing seed funding for the financing of home ownership.

15. Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act (Bill S-8)
The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act passed in As such, the Department was proceeding with developing corresponding regulations until a few months ago. 
The intent was to incorporate the provincial/territorial regulations that already exist in each region; but with adaptations to reflect on-reserve reality. 
The Act is part of the suite of previous legislation that is under review. 

16. Tripartite Water Working Group
We are addressing the pressing drinking water needs of Ontario Region First Nations by improving the infrastructure to produce that water.
Our first priority is to fund projects in communities where the health and safety of residents are most at risk, i.e. those communities under long-term drinking water advisories.
INAC, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation, are continuing to work at a technical level to track and identify opportunities to end drinking water advisories in Ontario.

17. Tripartite Water Working Group cont’d
The initial meeting of the First Nation Water Trilateral Steering Committee was held in Thunder Bay on April 25, 2016, followed by subsequent meetings in May, September and October.
Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP)
Ontario Region has completed a request for proposal process and has selected the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) to deliver the Circuit Rider Training Program through to March 31, 2017.
INAC regional officials have notified all First Nations and are working with OFNTSC to implement the program.

18. Transparency and Accountability
We will work to provide you with updates and progress reports on our infrastructure spending.
The regional Community Infrastructure Directorate team plans to attend as many events and large forums as possible to directly share infrastructure program information and listen to your feedback on our services, programs and procedures.
We would appreciate and benefit from your insights and those of your operational/technical officials. Write, , call, or reach out via your Tribal Council or PTO representatives, or speak to the Capital Management Officer assigned to work with your First Nation or Tribal Council.
The Community Infrastructure Directorate of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada’s Ontario Region has a renewed commitment to work with you and communicate our programs and policies to you in ways that are clear and timely.

19. Thank you. Miigwech.