Lead a whole-of-government approach to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationship with Indigenous people.

What success looks like

A renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples based on co-developed policies that support strong and effective nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships that consider and respond to the unique realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Government's narrative on progress

Three permanent bilateral mechanisms have been created, with the Prime Minister, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council, to jointly set priorities and oversee outcomes. On February 9, 2017, the Prime Minister and Inuit leaders signed a declaration to create the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, demonstrating the shared commitment to a renewed Inuit-Crown relationship between Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Government of Canada. The first Métis Nation-Crown Summit took place on April 13, 2017, where the Prime Minister and the President of the Métis National Council and its Governing Members signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord. On June 12, 2017, the Prime Minister and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the first Assembly of First Nations-Crown meeting. Since the creation of the Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms, regular meetings at the Ministerial and senior officials level have helped guide the substantive work underway in the co-developed joint priorities. Both the Inuit-Crown and Metis-Crown mechanisms have now had their second annual meeting with the Prime Minister, and preparations are underway for the second Prime Minister meeting with Assembly of First Nations to identify Year Two priorities. Results from the Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms process were reflected in distinctions based investments in Budget 2018 in areas such as Health, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, Indigenous skills and Employment Training Strategy, and First Nations' policing. A second successful Canada – Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations Forum, chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by 24 Indigenous Leaders, was held on January 8, 2019. Progress made since the November 1, 2017 Forum was discussed, with particular focus on the advancement of the Collaborative Fiscal Process. In 2018, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and senior officials held over 100 engagement sessions with close to 1700 participants to listen to ideas about how to make the recognition and implementation of rights the basis for all relations between Indigenous peoples and the federal government. Canada has heard that there is a broad consensus among partners that some policies – namely the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy and the Inherent Right Policy – are in urgent need of reform. In 2019, Canada will continue to engage with Indigenous peoples to replace these outdated policies. Through Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussions, the government is working with Indigenous groups to co-develop mandates that better address their needs and priorities. These discussions also provide a forum for the government to support the reconstitution of Indigenous nations, as well as self-determination and self-government. There are over 75 discussions underway representing over 380 communities and a population of approximately 790,000 people. Budget 2018 invested $74.9 million over five years, with $15.5 million per year ongoing, to provide ongoing support to these policy co-development forums.

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