Tag: Aboriginal News

March 3, 2022 — OTTAWA, Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

In June 2021, on behalf of several First Nations families,16 individual plaintiffs launched a constitutional challenge seeking to end the inequities and exclusion faced by families who were “enfranchised” under earlier versions of the Indian Act.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Juristes Power Law, who represent the plaintiffs in the Nicholas v Canada (Attorney General), are pleased to announce that they have reached a mutual agreement to put the litigation on hold while working to pursue a legislative solution to end the ongoing impact of enfranchisement under the Act today.

Minister Hajdu has committed to work towards introducing legislation in the House of Commons by summer to make the necessary amendments to the registration provisions of the Indian Act.

“Enfranchisement” was a process whereby members of First Nations lost eligibility to registration and membership in their home communities. In return, they gained basic entitlements, such as, Canadian citizenship, the right to vote in Canadian elections, the right to hold land in fee simple, and freedom from compulsory residential school attendance for their children.

While the enfranchisement process was removed from the Indian Act in 1985, the fact of historical enfranchisement continues to play a role in determining entitlement to registration today.

Ottawa, Ontario — Please be advised that the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health; and Patrick Boucher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, will hold a news conference to provide an update on COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

Date: March 3, 2022

Time: 1:15 p.m. (ET)

Where: Sir John A. Macdonald Building – Room 200
144 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario

The media availability will also be held virtually.

Please note: Participation in the question and answer period of this event is for accredited members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery only.

Media who are not members of the press gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca to request temporary access.

A teleconference line is also available to media who wish to listen to the event:

Dial-in numbers (listen-only):
Local: 613-960-7518
Toll-free: 1-866-805-7923
Pass code: 4630734#

March 2, 2022 — Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

Skilled water and wastewater operators are essential to ensuring long-term access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations as they implement sustainable solutions that address the need for skilled operators in ways that best suit their communities.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, launched a call for proposals for projects that address the retention, recruitment, and availability of water and wastewater operators working on reserve.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals that will address community-based, regional, or national issues related to building water and wastewater operator capacity in First Nations communities. Proposals delivered or offered by Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, or in partnership with Indigenous peoples will be prioritized. Projects that are selected will receive up to $500,000 in funding to support new or expanded capacity building initiatives.

The call for proposals is open until April 25, 2022. For details on how to apply, visit Capacity building for water and wastewater operators.

Indigenous Services Canada supports various capacity building initiatives for water and wastewater operators through investments of approximately $20 million annually. This includes more than $12 million per year for the Circuit Rider Training Program.

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed over $5.2 billion to building and repairing water and wastewater infrastructure, and to supporting effective management and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on reserve. Operations and maintenance funding allocations have increased to provide 100% of formula funding for water and wastewater assets, up from 80%. Future funding allocations will also include adjustments for annual inflation and any new assets constructed.

Support will enable people in the Arctic and the North to lead on applied research on issues of importance to the region.

March 2, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Research Council of Canada

Today, the Honourable François‑Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the launch of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Arctic and Northern Challenge program.

With an initial investment of over $20 million to fund research projects over the next 7 years, the program is committed to prioritizing Northern-led research projects that have a strong focus on Northern capacity building.

The program will address pressing issues in the areas of housing, health, food and water as identified and prioritized by Northerners through comprehensive engagement. Through collaboration, the program will also deepen the NRC’s competencies and technical capabilities to support joint research in an Arctic and Northern context and work to advance aspects of Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.

The collaboration, feedback, input and involvement of Indigenous rights holders and Northern communities in developing the research program has been fundamental in creating a program that will support strong and sustainable Northern communities.

March 2, 2022 — Ottawa, Ontario, Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada continues to work towards advancing reconciliation through the additions to reserve process. Expanding community land base is an important step by which First Nations can foster community and economic development.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; together with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, congratulated the Klahoose First Nation on the recent expansion of their land base through the addition to reserve process.

A total of 14.30 acres (5.79 hectares) of land was added to the Tork Reserve on Cortes Island, B.C. The additional land will enable Klahoose to meet its current and future needs for both traditional and community uses.

Canada is committed to supporting economic development opportunities and growth in First Nation communities to support their vision of self-determination. Klahoose First Nation plans to develop this property as a possible camp site or RV locations to create an economic base for tourism.

Adding land to reserves contributes to First Nations development of healthier, more sustainable communities and contributes to regional revitalization, which benefits both their own and neighbouring communities.