Improve essential infrastructure for Indigenous communities, including improving housing.

What success looks like

Infrastructure on reserves is improved, schools on reserve are newer and in better condition; language and cultural knowledge is strengthened; more First Nations children graduate from high school and go on to post-secondary education; elimination of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by 2021; enhanced access to affordable housing for First Nations on-reserve, and to Inuit and the Métis Nation.

Government's narrative on progress

In Budget 2016, the Government of Canada made an investment of $4.28 billion over five years to support infrastructure development in First Nations communities on reserves to improve their population's quality of life. Budget 2017 built on this momentum, with new, additional investments of $4 billion over ten years starting in 2018-2019 to build and improve housing, and other community infrastructure in First Nation and Inuit communities. As of December 31, 2018, and since the Budget 2016 announcement, close to $2.472 billion of targeted funds have been invested towards 3,797 on-reserve community infrastructure projects, 2,146, of which are complete. These investments are building and improving water treatment systems, housing, schools, health facilities and other essential community infrastructure, which includes cultural and recreational facilities, energy, sustainability and connectivity infrastructure, fundamental community infrastructure (including roads and bridges, structural mitigation against natural disasters, fire protection), as well as waste management on reserves and transformational change to support self-determination for First Nations communities. Some key results include: **Education**: The government is improving primary and secondary education on reserve by building and renovating school facilities thereby supporting the enhancement of the quality of language and cultural programs and empowering communities to establish First Nations' planned and led education systems. As of December 31, 2018, and since April 2016, more than $364 million of targeted funding has been invested to support 174 school-related projects. This includes 73 new schools (15 of which are completed), 85 renovations and upgrades (31 of which are completed), and 16 feasibility studies and supporting projects. **Water and Wastewater**: In Budget 2016, the government announced significant new funding to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves by 2021. As of December 31, 2018, and since the Budget 2016 announcement, more than $980.5 million of targeted funding has been invested to support 505 projects in 582 First Nations communities to strengthen on-reserve water infrastructure. On January 23, 2018, the government added close to 250 drinking water systems to the total number covered by the federal government’s commitment to ensure clean drinking water on public systems on reserves. Taking this expansion into account, as of April 1, 2019, there are currently only 58 long-term drinking water advisories in effect, a decrease from 105 in November 2015. Since November 2015, a total of 82 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted, while 36 have been added. Budget 2017 provided $49.1 million over three years, starting in 2018-2019, for clean and safe drinking water on reserve. Budget 2018 builds on prior investments and reaffirms the government's commitment by providing an additional $172.6 million over three years, beginning in 2018-2019, to improve access to clean and safe drinking water on reserve. Budget 2019 further supports ongoing efforts to eliminate and prevent long-term drinking water advisories by providing an additional $739 million over five years, beginning in 2019-20, with $184.9 million per year ongoing, funding urgent repairs to vulnerable water systems, and providing water operator training and support programs. **Housing**: The Government of Canada is improving on-reserve housing conditions while engaging with First Nations and other partners to co-develop an effective long term strategy. As of December 31, 2018, and since the Budget 2016 announcement, Indigenous Services Canada has invested $547.4 million of targeted funds, resulting in 6,842 housing units and lots under construction, renovation/retrofit, or being serviced or acquired. As a result of the combined investments between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous Services Canada, the government is currently building and renovating/retrofitting 16,122 housing units and lots, of which 69% (10,733) have been completed. With respect to Budget 2016 investments in Inuit housing, 183 new housing units were built in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. In addition, a co-developed Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy was endorsed by Ministers and Inuit Leaders at the November 2018 meeting of the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee. Indigenous leaders have told the government that when it comes to housing in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities, the best approach is one that respects the distinct needs of each Indigenous group. Through investments made in Budget 2017 and Budget 2018, the government proposes dedicated funding to support the successful implementation of each of the distinctions-based housing strategies, including: •$600 million over three years to support housing on reserve as part of a 10-year First Nations Housing Strategy that is being co-developed with First Nations. First Nations leadership endorsed a draft strategy in December 2018. •$400 million over 10 years to support the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit Settlement Region. This is in addition to the $240 million over 10 years announced in Budget 2017 to support housing in Nunavut. •$500 million over 10 years to support the Métis Nation’s housing strategy. **Health**: As of December 31, 2018, investments have been made in more than 207 First Nations infrastructure projects to design, replace, expand, or renovate health facilities as well as facilities hosting Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve (AHSOR) Programming. Currently, 176 (85%) of these projects are complete. It should be noted that the apparent decrease in the number of projects from December to February is a result of changes to how projects are defined. Multiple projects that are associated with a single facility are now being counted as a single project. This approach is more closely aligned with results that are meaningful to Canadians. **Other Essential Infrastructure**: Other essential infrastructure includes cultural and recreational facilities; energy, sustainability and connectivity infrastructure; fundamental community infrastructure (including roads and bridges, structural mitigation against natural disasters and fire protection); as well as solid waste management on reserves. To support other essential infrastructure on reserves, the Government of Canada is investing $1.32 billion until 2026-2027. Since Budget 2016, and as of December 31, 2018, $589.2 million of targeted funds has been invested to support 1,329 essential infrastructure projects, 782 of which have been completed. 704 out of the 1,329 projects, representing $144.4 million of targeted funds support solid waste management projects on reserves across Canada through the First Nations Solid Waste Management Initiative. So far, 399 of the 704 projects have been completed. **Transformation**: The Government of Canada has committed $55 million, beginning in 2018-2019 until 2022-2023, for transformation efforts which include: asset management, engagement and proof of concept development for models for the transfer of infrastructure service delivery, and the creation and implementation of Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative for rural and urban First Nations, Inuit, Métis people, on and off reserves. These investments lay the foundation for a long-term investment strategy in First Nation community infrastructure to build healthy, safe and prosperous communities. It’s about building a new partnership, committing to reconciliation and working in collaboration to support First Nations communities across Canada. As of December 31, 2018, close to $700,000 of targeted funds has been invested to enable First Nations communities to increase capacity building and readiness.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.