(Toronto, ON – April 16, 2024) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare has issued the following statement in response to the release of this year’s Federal Budget:

“On April 16, 2024, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, tabled Federal Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation,” said Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare. “This year’s budget focuses heavily on building accessible homes, lessening the burden of the cost of living, and growing the economy.”

“On the tails of recently published research from the Assembly of First Nations and the Chiefs of Ontario outlining the respective $349.2 billion national infrastructure gap and $58.9 billion Ontario-specific infrastructure gap, First Nations across this country were expecting to see significant investments into on-reserve infrastructure to backup promises that this government has made,” said Regional Chief Hare. “Prime Minister Trudeau pledged to close the infrastructure gap by 2030. Today’s budget fell well short of what’s required to fulfill that promise.”

“Every day this gap gets wider. The government and the public need to remember this pivotal moment when the price tag will inevitably increase. The status quo is not going to stop the gap from getting bigger — decisive and substantial investments will.”

According to an initial analysis of today’s budget announcement, proposed infrastructure spending increased annually by less than $2 billion, with only a small portion of this new spending earmarked specifically for First Nations.

Outlined within the recently publicized research from COO and cost consultant BTY Group is a regional housing gap of $25.8 billion that is affecting First Nations. To begin closing this housing gap by 2030, Ontario First Nations would require a $2.87 billion investment this year alone. Today’s budget proposes only $918 million nationally over five years for First Nations, Inuit and Métis housing, with less than half allocated to First Nations.

“We were hopeful that the government had read our reports, heard our stories and would take the necessary steps to ensure First Nations have access to the basic services that everyone else in this country enjoys,” said Regional Chief Hare. “We are the original people of this land and are Canada’s fastest growing demographic, and our people are spending years on long waitlists for housing or in overcrowded housing in need of immediate repair.”

“While today’s federal budget fell short on First Nations’ infrastructure needs, I welcome the many investments into other initiatives that may help to improve the lives of First Nations people across the country,” said Regional Chief Hare. “Among those are promising investments in child welfare, education, health, mental health, First Nations policing, social services and economic development.”

The federal government made the following pledges in the 2024 Federal Budget:

  • $1.8 billion over 11 years to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities exercise jurisdiction under An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, to reduce the number of children in care.
  • $545.1 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, for K-12 infrastructure to build and renovate safe and healthy learning environments for First Nations students.
  • $4 billion over seven years, starting in 2024-25, to implement an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy
  • $1.6 billion over the next two years to ensure access to safe drinking water and treated wastewater in First Nations communities.
  • $918 million over five years, starting this year, to accelerate work in narrowing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis housing and infrastructure gaps.
  • $927 million towards on-reserve social support programs intended to mirror typical provincial income assistance programs.
  • $267.5 million over five years, beginning this year, to Public Safety Canada for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and to support the work of Public Safety Canada’s Indigenous Secretariat. Also proposed is $92.5 million per year thereafter.
  • $200 million over five years to repair, renovate and replace policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities.
  • $87 million over five years will go to the Indigenous Justice Program, work revitalizing Indigenous laws and justice systems, and capacity building.

“It is encouraging to see investments outlined in today’s federal budget such as the commitment of $467 million over five years to address long-standing policing issues,” said Regional Chief Hare. “While we have yet to see how much of this funding will be earmarked specifically for First Nations, we remain hopeful that there will be a significant amount allocated.”

Also included in this year’s budget are a number of initiatives intended to support economic opportunities, such as funding of up to $5 billion for the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, $350 million to support Indigenous financial institutions, and $2.5 million to continue supporting the Indigenous tourism industry.

Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare (Gwiingos)

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org