ARCHIVED - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Program Activity: Governance and Institutions of Government

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Governance and Institutions of Government

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Effective governance and associated capacities, processes and mechanisms that support individual community and aggregate based governments and governance systems. Particularly, support to First Nation and Inuit governments as well as their respective institutions of government. These institutions include but are not limited to those that provide services in the areas of governance, land claim organizations and professional associations. Collectively, these efforts assist in achieving social and economic vibrancy in First Nation and Inuit communities.

Expected results:

• Capable and accountable governments and institutions
• Meeting statutory and regulatory obligations under the Indian Act with respect to elections and lawmaking
• Governance capacity in First Nations communities and institutions
• Operational Aboriginal and public institutions of government

Planned evaluations:

• National Centre for First Nations Governance (Independent)
• First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management

Program Activity: Co-operative Relationships

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Co-operative Relationships

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Cooperative Relationships are about mutual respect. They establish an atmosphere of trust, accountability and respectful partnerships among governments, First Nations and Inuit. This atmosphere, in turn, supports social, economic and cultural growth in First Nation and Inuit communities and increases their self-reliance. Cooperative Relationships are the basis for mutually reached resolution of claims and other rights issues. Through Cooperative Relationships, land claims and self-government agreements are negotiated and implemented, treaty relations between the Crown and First Nations are clarified and supported, certainty is obtained over the ownership, use, and management of land and resources, and Inuit are effectively represented in federal policy decisions. Cooperative Relationships address constitutional and historic obligations, reduce conflict through negotiation and enable all parties to work together toward reconciliation.

Expected results:

• Relationships between parties based on trust, respect, understanding, shared responsibilities, accountability, rights and dialogue
• Obligations are honoured as set out in final agreements, to contribute to shared objectives
• Inuit have a voice in federal policy and decision making

Planned evaluations:

• Comprehensive Land Claims Impacts
• Self-Government Agreements
• Treaty Related Measures
• Treaty Commissions
• Specific Claims Tribunal Action Plan
• Negotiation and Implementation

Program Activity: Claims Settlements

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Claims Settlements

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Payments for the settlement of special, specific and comprehensive claims which were successfully concluded through a negotiation process, and approved compensation and funding as per the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

Expected results:

• Canada honours its negotiated obligations

Planned evaluations:

• Evaluability Framework
• Advocacy and Public Information Program
• Public Awareness of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
• Aboriginal Healing Foundation

Program Activity: Education

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Education

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Supports the provision of: elementary/secondary education services consistent with provincial programs and standards, contributing to increased levels of educational attainment and improved employability for First Nations and Inuit students; special education directed to improve the quality of education and level of support services for eligible students with special needs that are reasonably comparable with provincial levels of support services; and financial support for status Indians to participate in post-secondary education studies to increase levels of participation, achievements and employability.

Expected results:

• First Nations students achieving comparable educational outcomes to those achieved by students in the provincial system where the reserve is located
• First Nations and Inuit learners have improved educational attainment

Planned evaluations:

• SchoolNet Program
• Elementary and Secondary Education
• Post Secondary Education

Program Activity: Social Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Social Development

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Supports the provision of: income assistance to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and families consistent with provincial programs and standards; First Nations child and family services to improve their well-being and security; assisted living for social support services of a non-medical nature such as in-home care, short term respite care, foster care and institutional care to improve their well-being and security; Family Violence Program to improve safety and security, particularly of women and children at-risk; National Child Benefit Re-investment to support low-income families with children to help prevent or reduce the depth of child poverty; and other social services to build capacity for First Nations to assume responsibility for, and jurisdiction over social development through policy development, program design and service delivery, to build self-reliant, sustainable, healthy and stable First Nation communities.

Expected results:

• Reduce the percentage of Income Assistance recipients
• First Nations families and children have safe, nurturing living environments
• Safety and security of reserve residents is enhanced

Planned evaluations:

• Income Assistance, National Child Benefit Reinvestment and Assisted Living
• Alberta Child and Family Services Model
• Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy
• Family Violence Prevention
• Child and Family Services

Program Activity: Managing Individual Affairs

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Managing Individual Affairs

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Professionally managing individual First Nations' affairs to ensure that the Minister's responsibilities under the Indian Act for trust funds, membership and estates are properly exercised.

Expected results:

• National implementation of the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status
• First Nations and individuals access moneys held in the Consolidated Revenue Fund in accordance with established service standards
• INAC’s role in the estates of deceased on-reserve Indians is discharged in accordance with established service standards

Planned evaluations:

Program Activity: Clarity of Title to Land and Resources

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Clarity of Title to Land and Resources

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity includes: additions to reserve; ensuring clarity of title to facilitate future land transactions through surveys, negotiated agreements; and implementing land transfers under specific and comprehensive claims.

Expected results:

• Clarity of title and access to land and resources by First Nations and Inuit

Planned evaluations:

• Comprehensive Land Claims Impacts

Program Activity: Responsible Federal Stewardship

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Responsible Federal Stewardship

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity includes: discharging federal responsibilities to First Nations, such as under the Indian Act and the Indian Oil and Gas Act and associated regulations; discharging responsibilities and coordinating with other government departments with similar responsibilities, such as Environment Canada; remediating contaminated sites under federal jurisdiction; and collecting and managing Indian monies from land and resources activities.

Expected results:

• Responsible federal stewardship of reserve land, resources and environment

Planned evaluations:

• Contaminated Sites
• Emergency Management Assistance

Program Activity: First Nations Governance over Land, Resources and the Environment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for First Nations Governance over Land, Resources and the Environment

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity encompasses the activities relating to the strengthening of First Nations governance over lands, resources and environment, including both capacity-building and sectoral governance initiatives.

Expected results:

• First Nations governance over land, resources and the environment

Planned evaluations:

Program Activity: Individual and Community Business Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Individual and Community Business Development

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Aboriginal people face unique challenges and barriers to business development which impede the ability to participate in Canada's economy and share in its prosperity. Activities under the Aboriginal Business Development Program encourage Aboriginal individuals and communities to participate in the economy and further share in its economic prosperity by supporting sustainable business development. Program activities and funding help enable access to private sector business financing at competitive rates, enable access to business information and advice, facilitate private sector partnerships in major business projects, and strengthen Aboriginal-owned or controlled financing institutions in their efforts to provide developmental lending and advisory services to Aboriginal businesses. These activities are intended to reduce the business barriers unique to Aboriginal people and help to create a modern business climate for individuals and communities.

Expected results:

• Business ownership by Aboriginal people, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and communities
• Establishment, acquisition and expansion of viable businesses

Planned evaluations:

• Community Economic/Aboriginal Business Development

Program Activity: Community Investment

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Community Investment

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: For most First Nation and Inuit communities, economic development progress has been slow. Activities under community investment programming, including the Community Economic Opportunities Program, the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative, the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business, the Community Economic Development Program and the Community Support Services Program, help increase community participation in the economy by enhancing the ability of communities to benefit from economic development opportunities. Program activities and funding help communities identify and activate economic potential resulting in more community employment, greater use of land and resources under community control, enhanced community economic infrastructure, more and larger community businesses, more business opportunities, and a better climate and environment for community economic development.

Expected results:

• Economic development benefits for First Nations and Inuit communities
• First Nations and Inuit economic institutions have capacity to support community economic planning

Planned evaluations:

• Community Economic/Aboriginal Business Development

Program Activity: Community Infrastructure

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Community Infrastructure

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: Supports the provision of funding for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of: community facilities such as roads, bridges, water and sewer, and administration offices; education facilities, such as schools and teacherages; remediation of contaminated sites on reserve; and on-reserve housing.

Expected results:

• First Nations communities have a base of infrastructure that protects health and safety and enables engagement in the economy

Planned evaluations:

• On-Reserve Housing
• First Nations Infrastructure Fund (Infrastructure Canada-led)
• Long-Term Capital Planning

Program Activity: Northern Governance

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Northern Governance

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity supports the strengthening northern governments through devolution of province-like responsibilities, effective intergovernmental mechanisms and management of strategic issues, as well as strengthened intergovernmental cooperation internationally on circumpolar issues.

Expected results:

• Devolution of governance over northern land and resources
• Canadian interests reflected in national and international circumpolar co-operation activities

Planned evaluations:

Program Activity: Healthy Northern Communities

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Healthy Northern Communities

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity supports improvements in the health and well-being of Northerners through grants for hospital and physician services for Indian and Inuit residents in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the transportation of nutritious perishable foods and other essential items to isolated northern communities at reduced rates, the conduct of research into the sources and effects of contaminants on the Arctic food chain and initiatives to assist Northerners deal with broad issues such as the impacts of climate change.

Expected results:

• Northerners have access to products, services and information that can enhance the health of their communities
• Perishable and other nutritious foods and other essential items are available in isolated northern communities at reduced prices

Planned evaluations:

• Healthy Foods to Northern Communities (Food Mail)
• Assist Northerners in Assessing Key Vulnerabilities and Opportunities (Clean Air Agenda)
• International Polar Year (program-led evaluation)
• EcoEnergy for Aboriginal and Northern Communities

Program Activity: Northern Land and Resources

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Northern Land and Resources

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity supports the sustainable development of the North's natural resources, emphasizing improved environmental management and stewardship, including the clean-up of contaminated sites, expanding the knowledge base for sound decision-making and improving the effectiveness of the northern regulatory environment. As the federal government entity with legislative and policy authority over most of the natural resources in the North, INAC carries out this program on behalf of all Northerners.

Expected results:

• Sound stewardship of land and resources
• Contaminated sites are managed to ensure the protection of human health and the environment
• Land and resource development for oil and gas

Due to rounding, figures may not add to totals shown.

Planned evaluations:

Program Activity: Northern Economy

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Northern Economy

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity supports sustainable economic growth of the territorial economies through investments in innovation and knowledge and regional development programming, advocacy and activities, which lead to Northerners participating and benefiting from resource development. The Strategic Development in Northern Economic Development (INAC">SINED) Program includes contribution funding as well as support to develop proposals to access that funding in order to support drivers of the economy, enhance diversification of the economy, increase participation of Northerners in the Economy and increase federal program coordination generally. Northern economic development is promoted with territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations and the not-for-profit sector. Addtionally a center of economic expertise in relation to each territory is provided as well as assistance in the coordination of various federal funding sources in relation to the particular projects to promote northern development.

Expected results:

• Northerners have resources and support to capitalize on economic development opportunities
• Strategic investments in economic development
• Strategic investments in innovation and partnerships

Planned evaluations:

• Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development and Governance

Program Activity: Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: The Urban Aboriginal Strategy was developed in 1997, to help respond to the needs facing Aboriginal people living in urban centres. Through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy, the Government of Canada seeks to partner with other governments, community organizations and Aboriginal people to support projects that respond to local priorities. The policy aim of the renewed Urban Aboriginal Strategy is to promote self-reliance and increase life choices for Aboriginal people in urban centres. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy enhances the Government of Canada's ability to align federal expenditures directed toward urban Aboriginal people in key urban centres with provincial and municipal programming, in a manner that both advances federal objectives and effectively responds to local challenges and opportunities. In order to accomplish this, Urban Aboriginal Strategy projects will strategically focus investments in three priority areas (improving life skills; promoting job training, skills and entrepreneurship; and supporting Aboriginal women, children and families).

Expected results:

• Economic participation and self-reliance of — and expanded life choices for — Aboriginal people in urban centres

Planned evaluations:

• Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Program Activity: Métis and Non-Status Indian Organizational Capacity Development

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Métis and Non-Status Indian Organizational Capacity Development

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: The mandate of the Office of Federal Interlocutor (as a result of the constitutional conferences from 1985–87) is to provide a point of first contact with the federal government to Métis and non-status Indian organizations. The main thrust of this mandate is to support work with Métis, non-status Indian and off-reserve Aboriginal organizations at the national, provincial, regional and urban levels towards achieving practical ways of improving Métis and non-status Indians' socio-economic conditions, increase self-reliance and reduce dependency by helping these organizations build effective partnerships with the federal and provincial governments and the private sector, as well as develop their organizational capacity and professional development.

Expected results:

• MNSI organizations that engage with the private sector and all levels of government
• MNSI organizations that advocate on behalf of their constituents

Planned evaluations:

Program Activity: Métis Rights Management

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Transfer payments for Métis Rights Management

Start date: N/A

End date: ongoing

Description: This program activity is the federal response to the 2003, Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), Powley decision, which found that Métis hold section 35 Aboriginal rights. The primary purpose of the program is to work with any non-profit, representative Aboriginal organization with substantial Métis membership, to develop objectively verifiable membership systems for Métis members and harvesters, in accordance with the direction provided by the SCC in the Powley decision.

Expected results:

• Respect for the Aboriginal rights of Métis under section 35

Planned evaluations:

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has addressed the Policy on Green Procurement requirements as part of the department’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) 2007-2010, Target 2.3.2 Develop and implement a green procurement policy for INAC. Target fulfillment has progressed under the leadership of the Procurement and Contracting Review Committee (PCRC) and its associated working groups. The PCRC is composed of regional Responsibility Centre Managers (RCMs), procurement experts and environmental management specialists collectively mandated to implement a renewed procurement and contracting function within the department.

INAC has completed a preliminary in-house policy review of green procurement in December 2008. With support from the PCRC, INAC will use the findings of the review to help integrate Policy on Green Procurement requirements into departmental procurement policies and procedures.

Has your department established green procurement targets?

Describe the green procurement targets that have been set by your department and indicate the associated benefits anticipated.

INAC must establish targets for the acquisition of environmentally preferred goods and services in order to both implement Policy on Green Procurement requirements and meet INAC’s SDS Target (indicated above).

Although no targets have been established to date, departmental green-procurement targets are in development and will encompass environmental performance clauses in service contracts as well as the application of minimum environmental performance standards for commodity groups and classes such as passenger vehicles and information technology (IT) hardware. These departmental green-procurement targets will also complement new government-wide environmental performance standards.

Name of lead department(s): Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Lead department program activity: Community Infrastructure

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2008

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2010

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $735,639,806 for the two years. Of this amount $202,500,000 in each of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 are funded from existing reference levels. New funds of $165,318,143 in 2008-2009 and $165,321,663 in 2009-2010 including employee benefits plans and Public Works and Government Services Canada accommodation requirements are sourced from the Fiscal Framework, as confirmed in Budget 2008.

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The prime objective of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP) is to support First Nations communities on reserve in bringing their drinking water and wastewater services to a level and quality of service comparable to those enjoyed by other Canadians living in communities of similar size and location. There are five key activity areas in the FNWWAP: Infrastructure investments; Operations and maintenance; Training; Monitoring and awareness; and Standards.

To meet the objectives of the FNWWAP, several program enhancements have been introduced, including a national engineering assessment of existing water and wastewater facilities, consultations on a new federal legislative framework for safe drinking water, increased training through Circuit Rider training program, modifying existing policies related to small water and septic systems and agreements for water/wastewater services, investment in a National Wastewater Program and waterborne illness procedures.

The FNWWAP was implemented to support government commitments to supporting First Nations access to safe drinking water, in Budget 2008 and the 2007 Speech from the Throne.

The FNWWAP supports INAC’s strategic outcome for “The Economy”: Increased participation of Aboriginal people and Northerners in the Economy. The FNWWAP also supports Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Programming and Services strategic outcome of Better health outcomes and reduction of health inequalities between First Nations and Inuit and other Canadians.

More information at these Web sites:

Backgrounder — First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan
Budget 2008, Responsible Leadership — Chapter 4 — Leadership at Home and Abroad
RPP 2007-2008 Health Canada — Health Canada's Regional Operations — An Overview

Shared outcome(s):

The FNWWAP works towards the achievement of four outcomes:

• First Nation communities have an increased capacity to address potential water quality problems
• Reduction in health risks associated with water quality and supply
• All First Nation community water and wastewater facilities meet federal standards
• First Nation communities have increased confidence in their drinking water

Governance structure(s): The First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP) is a successor to the joint First Nations Water Management Strategy (2003-2008) and the INAC Plan of Action for Drinking Water (2006-2008). An MOU has been in place between INAC and HC since 2005 regarding data sharing related to drinking water. INAC shares information on the proposed water and wastewater infrastructure investments, the annual inspections of water and wastewater treatment plants, and information on action related to Drinking Water Advisories. Conversely, HC shares information such as drinking water sample results that do not meet the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and reasons for having recommended Drinking Water Advisories. At the working level, the Strategic Water Management on Reserve Committee which includes representatives from HC, INAC, Environment Canada (EC) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), provides a forum for discussion to share information and coordinate joint action, and to provide leadership in an integrated and coordinated manner to ensure safe drinking water for First Nations communities and implementing FNWWAP. Although this is not a formal decision-making body, it does provide a good venue to promote dialogue and the sharing of information.

Director Generals and ADMs from HC and INAC meet when needed to exchange and coordinate action on all relevant issues related to the FNWWAP.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): n/a

Contact information:
Sébastien Labelle,
Director, Policy
Indian and Northern Affairs
Policy Directorate, Community Infrastructure Branch
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec Canada
K1A 0H4
Telephone: (819) 994-6466
Fax: (819) 953-3321

Name of lead department(s): Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) — Northern Affairs Program

Lead department program activity: Healthy Northern Communities

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1st 2007

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31st 2012

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $150 million over five years

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): In order to support Canada’s participation in International Polar Year (IPY), the Government of Canada has invested $150 million over five years. This funding is being used to carry out an innovative and multidisciplinary Arctic science program. The Government of Canada Program for IPY is led by INAC in conjunction with eight lead federal departments and agencies: Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (on behalf of Industry), Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Canada’s significant involvement and investment in the International Polar Year 2007–2009 contributes to the government’s stewardship of Canada’s Northern Region. The Government of Canada IPY Program is working with Canadian scientists and northern communities in developing and conducting activities such as research, training and capacity building.

Key areas of the Government of Canada Program for IPY include:

• new science and research in and for the North, which includes the involvement of northern communities;
• ensuring the health and safety of scientists and communities conducting research in the North;
• communication information about the program and the science undertaken;
• building capacity, through training opportunities for youth and Northerners aimed at enhancing participation in northern scientific research;
• ensuring that the resultant scientific knowledge and data are properly managed, archived and made accessible; and
• support for the appropriate procedural, regulatory and infrastructure framework for conducting scientific research.

The distribution of funds among federal departments and agencies is according to their involvement in the various aspects of the program, including the science and research program, support for logistics, communications and outreach, training, and capacity building. Funding is being provided to support Northern IPY Coordinators who act as points of contact on IPY matters for northern communities and researchers. The Northern IPY Coordinators maintain a regional network to support all aspects of Canada’s IPY Program in four locations across the North. The federal departments and agencies participating in IPY are undertaking research projects, delivering support for logistics and emergency preparedness as well as contributing to projects for training, communications and outreach.

Shared outcome(s):

• Increased understanding (of impacts of a changing climate and of health and well-being of northern communities) that informs policy and decision making, and contributes to recognition of Canada as an expert on the Canadian North.
• Enhanced northern research capacity through newly trained scientists, knowledge and skills transfer to Northerners, and greater participation in planning and delivery of research by Northerners.

Governance structure(s):

• Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Committee on IPY (chaired by the ADM of Northern Affairs, INAC);
• IPY Federal Program Office (housed at INAC);
• Director Generals, Communications Committees on IPY; and
• IPY Advisory Subcommittees.

The Government of Canada Program for IPY works in conjunction with the Canadian IPY National Committee and the Canadian IPY Secretariat who link to the International Joint Committee for IPY and IPY committees from other participating countries.

Contact information:
Kathleen Fischer
Executive Director
International Polar Year Federal Program Office
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
10 Wellington Street, Room 745
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
Tel: 819-934-6085
Fax: 819-934-0584
fischerk@ainc-inac.gc.ca

Name of lead department(s): Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) — Resolution and Individual Affairs Sector

Lead department program activity: Claims Resolution

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: November, 2003

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2013

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $112.038 M

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The IRS Resolution Health Support Program component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) ensures that eligible former students, and their families, have access to an appropriate level of health support services so that they may safely address a broad spectrum of mental wellness issues related to the disclosure of childhood abuses. Main program components include: Emotional support services provided by Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSWs); Cultural support services provided by Elders; Professional Counseling; and assistance with the cost of transportation to access counseling, Elder, and/or Traditional Healer services.

Shared outcome(s): Healing for former IRS students and their families as they go through the IRSSA process.

Governance structure(s): INAC — Resolution and Individual Affairs Sector is responsible for the overall IRSSA model and is working in partnership with Health Canada to coordinate and provide services for former Indian Residential School students. Various program components of the Resolution Health Support Program will be delivered separately by Health Canada and INAC — Resolution and Individual Affairs Sector.

INAC — Resolution and Individual Affairs Sector responsibilities relating to the Resolution Health Support Program include:

• Administration of the national 24-hour toll free Indian Residential School Crisis Line operated by an Aboriginal organization with trained Aboriginal crisis counsellors;
• Communicating the entire IRSSA to former Indian Residential Schools students and Aboriginal communities, including the various components of the Resolution Health Support Program;
• Facilitating Health Canada’s verification of eligibility; and
• Ensuring that Health Canada’s Resolution Health Support Program is aware of dates for Independent Assessment Process/Alternative Dispute Resolution hearings, litigation, and Truth and Reconciliation and Commemoration events as they arise, so that Resolution Health Support Program regional coordinators are prepared to address high claimant settlement areas.

Health Canada provides cultural, paraprofessional and professional support for individuals, families and communities, as well as assistance with the cost of transportation, throughout all phases of the Settlement Agreement including the Common Experience Payments, the Independent Assessment Process, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, and Commemorative events.

Contact information Health Canada:
Kari Nisbet
Manager
IRS Resolution Health Support Program

Contact information:
Patricia Power
A/Director
Policy and Strategic Planning
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
90 Sparks Street, Room 341
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H4
Tel: 613-947-4146
ppower@ainc-inac.gc.ca

Name of lead department(s): Indian and Northern Affairs Canada — Lead; Health Canada; Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: June 2001

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 2010

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): Cabinet approved the LICHS in June 2001 and provided $81 million over three years including: $59 million for INAC; $20 million for Health Canada and $2 million for Solicitor General. The initial LICHS ended March 2004, but was extended for one-year; INAC received a further $15 million to provide basic programs and services; and Health Canada received $5.5 million to continue the work already begun under the LICHS. Cabinet approved a new 5-year strategy for INAC and Health Canada (HC) partners in December 2004. Budget 2005, provided funds of $102.5 M for fiscal years 2005–2006 to 2009–2010 for the continuation of the LICHS.

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The LICHS was developed by INAC, HC and former Solicitor General in response to the 2000 gas-sniffing crisis facing the Labrador Innu to help resolve the serious health, social and safety issues in the communities of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu. While notable progress has been achieved, many serious issues remain. To address these issues, INAC and HC sought Cabinet approval and funding for the continuation of the LICHS. The proposed approach responded positively to the priorities in the October 2004 Speech from the Throne for addressing the needs of Aboriginal Canadians.

Shared outcome(s): The partners, in consultation with the Innu, developed the following 5-year vision with respect to the continuation of the LICHS. This vision is for the federal government, the Province and the Innu to work in partnership to: advance Innu community healing; build increased Innu capacity for the management and delivery of some government programs; conclude a land claim Agreement-in-Principle; address issues arising from sexual, physical and emotional abuse; achieve improvements in health, education, family and social well-being, economic development, community development, public safety and First Nation governance; and, manage the LICHS in an integrated and effective fashion.

Governance structure(s): The Main Table is chaired by the Chief Federal Negotiator, Labrador Innu file. Membership includes representatives of the Labrador Innu leadership, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and federal partners to the LICHS.

The tripartite sub-committees’ role includes: reserve creation, education, new school at Sheshatshiu, income support, child youth and family services, economic development, health, and evaluation.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Increased collaboration among the parties has emerged.

Contact information:
Stelios Loizides
Senior Policy Analyst
Social Policy and Programs Branch
INAC
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4
819-997-6717

Name of lead department(s): INAC, Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians (OFI)

Lead department program activity: Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: 2007

End date of the Horizontal Initiative: 2012

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $68.5 million

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement):
The Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) was developed in 1997 to respond to the needs of Aboriginal people living in urban centres. Through the UAS, the Government of Canada partners with various governments, community organizations and Aboriginal people to support projects that address local priorities. In 2007, the Government of Canada renewed the UAS by investing $68.5 million over five years to help meet the needs of Aboriginal people living in key urban centres.

Today, the UAS improves co-ordination within federal departments and agencies to maximize the Government of Canada’s investments. The UAS also helps the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians ensure all federal government policies, priorities and expenditures to do with Aboriginal people in key urban centres advance federal objectives, respond effectively to local challenges and opportunities, and result in the integrated delivery of federal, provincial, municipal, Aboriginal and private-sector programs and policy objectives.

DIAND/Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians uses either the Multi-year Comprehensive Funding Arrangement (MCFA) or the Comprehensive Funding Arrangement (CFA) to transfer annual funding to eligible recipients for program delivery under the UAS. Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians may also use a multi-year CFA, which respects provisions in the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments as well as the terms and conditions for the Renewal and Enhancement of the UAS Contribution Program. All components of the UAS program are eligible under the UAS Contribution funding authorities.

Shared outcome(s): The aim of the renewed and enhanced UAS program is to promote the self-reliance of — and increase life choices for — Aboriginal people in urban centres. In fact, the UAS program objective directly supports the implementation of Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians’s strategic outcome: Socio-economic conditions of Métis, non-status Indians and urban Aboriginal people.

Specifically, the UAS program objectives are to:

• target urban Aboriginal socio-economic needs within new and renewed federal initiatives, where appropriate;
• improve access to and co-ordination of programs and services;
• co-ordinate policy research and information sharing in the urban Aboriginal area;
• harmonize policy and improve horizontal connections within the federal government; and
• seek out opportunities for partnership with federal, provincial and municipal governments, Aboriginal groups and the private sector.

To accomplish these UAS program objectives, UAS projects will focus investments strategically in three project priority areas:

• improving life skills;
• promoting job training, skills and entrepreneurship; and
• supporting Aboriginal women, children and families.

Achievement of the UAS objectives will maximize the Government of Canada’s ability to align federal expenditures directed toward urban Aboriginal issues in key urban centres with provincial and municipal programming.

Governance structure(s): All UAS-designated communities have established Community Committees which partner with the private sector and all levels of government to accelerate planning, funding decisions and responses to urban Aboriginal issues. Each Community Committee is composed of a cross section of the Aboriginal community to ensure decisions reflect broad community concerns and priorities.

The UAS takes a community-based approach to the management and delivery of its projects, and uses either a Community Entity Model or a Shared Delivery Model, depending on the initiative. Under both models, project proposals are distributed to federal departments for review. Departments that determine a project to be consistent with their mandate may choose to either: (1) flow funding to DIAND or another lead department through the UAS horizontal terms and conditions, which require a Memorandum of Understanding and an Interdepartmental Letter of Agreement, or (2) negotiate a separate agreement and fund the delivery organization directly.

To maximize federal investments, the UAS horizontal terms and conditions allow for federal co-ordination of Aboriginal programs within signatory departments, as well as programs of general application. This practice has been recognized as a model for federal horizontality, and has led to greater program alignment with provincial and municipal programming. In addition, the National Caucus, an advisory group comprised of representatives from each of the Community Committees, shares national perspectives with the UAS.

Footnotes:

1. This is the same project as that referred to under footnote 4. (return to source paragraph)
2. This is the same Forum as that referred to under footnote 6. (return to source paragraph)
3. This is the same project as that referred to under footnote 5. (return to source paragraph)
4. This is the same footnote as that referred to under footnote 1. (return to source paragraph)
5. This is the same study as that referred to under footnote 3. (return to source paragraph)
6. This is the same Forum as that referred to under footnote 2. (return to source paragraph)

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Based on community needs and on a 50:50 basis, the refocused UAS helps co-ordinate federal programs, maximizes the Government of Canada’s investments and aligns national initiatives with provincial and municipal programming.

The UAS strives to significantly improve its horizontal management and shared accountability with federal partners. The UAS’ objectives exemplify how Canada’s government is moving in the right direction to ensure that Aboriginal people living in cities across Canada acquire the skills and experiences they need to gain access to and succeed in urban centres.

Contact information:
Allan MacDonald
Director General
Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
66 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H4
Telephone: 613-992-8186