Prime Minister Carney convenes First Nations leadership and First Ministers for the first time in two decades and launches discussions on a new First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund
Today in Ottawa, Prime Minister Carney convened First Nations leaders and First Ministers for the first time in two decades.
Leaders focused on new opportunities for First Nations to develop, operate, and share in the economic benefits of major infrastructure projects. They agreed to develop new revenue sharing mechanisms, including the potential creation of a First Nations Sovereign Wealth Fund. Over the next year, leaders will discuss how to most effectively establish such a Fund, with the clear goal of giving First Nations peoples the opportunity to share in the wealth major projects create. The leaders also identified opportunities to recruit, train, and hire more First Nations workers to build these infrastructure projects. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Carney announced $260 million over four years to establish the new Partnerships for Indigenous Workforce Readiness Fund. This will provide targeted funding to connect Indigenous Peoples with job opportunities created by major projects.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed the opportunity of reforming or abolishing the Indian Act as part of a broader effort to modernise the Crown’s relationship with First Nations. The Prime Minister is directing Ministers to work in partnership with First Nations to develop a path forward.
The Government of Canada also announced new investments for safer, more resilient First Nations communities: more than $2.5 billion over five years and nearly $450 million in ongoing funding for emergency management. More than $630 million over four years, alongside $250 million in ongoing annual funding, to renew and expand First Nations and Inuit policing agreements, with an additional $140 million over four years for crime prevention and community safety.
These announcements build on the Government of Canada’s generational investments in education, housing, community infrastructure, clean water, and health care for First Nations.
Together, we will keep raising our ambition to build a stronger, fairer Canada for all.
