SASKATOON, SK, April 23,
2024 /CNW/ - When Indigenous Peoples succeed,
Canada succeeds. A fairer future
for every generation of Indigenous Peoples includes better access
to health care, housing, post-secondary education, and good-paying
jobs. With renewed Nation-to-Nation, Government-to-Government, and
Inuit-Crown relationships, we are creating thousands of jobs,
generating economic opportunity for First Nations, Inuit,
and Métis communities, and closing the housing gaps which have
caused Indigenous communities to face high housing costs and lack
of access for far too long.
The Prime Minister, Justin
Trudeau, today highlighted new measures included in Budget
2024 to create jobs, unlock opportunities, and build more housing
and infrastructure for Indigenous Peoples.
Here are some of our key measures:
Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which will offer up to
$5 billion in loan guarantees to make sure Indigenous
communities can share in the benefits of natural resource and
energy projects in their territories.
- The program will support natural resource and energy projects
across the country by providing access to affordable capital for
Indigenous governments and communities seeking ownership
stakes.
- This will support their economic development priorities and
create new economic opportunities.
- Through the program, successful applicants will benefit from
the government's credit to access loans from financial institutions
at lower interest rates.
- Budget 2024 also provides $16.5
million over two years, starting in 2024-25, to help
Indigenous communities apply for the program and to support its
delivery.
$390.4 million to build or
renovate health facilities, including to support the Virtual
Health Hub led by the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of
Technologies. This funding will also improve the safety of primary
care workers in remote and isolated on-reserve First Nations
communities.
$388 million in new investments to boost Indigenous
economic opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, Indigenous
tourism, and to unlock new clean energy opportunities through the
Strategic Partnerships Initiative.
Unlocking pathways to post-secondary education by
investing nearly $243 million for the next generation of First
Nations university, college, and post-secondary students, building
on the $487.5 million over 10
years invested in Inuit and Métis post-secondary education
strategies through Budget 2019.
Indigenous housing and community infrastructure
investments of $918 million to support housing and
infrastructure needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
communities. This is on top of the $5 billion already
available for communities in 2024-25 to fill the Indigenous
housing and infrastructure gaps so communities can grow and thrive.
These funds will be distributed as follows:
- $426 million for First Nations on
reserve.
- $62 million for Self-Governing
and Modern Treaty First Nations.
- $370 million for Inuit
communities.
- $60 million for Métis
communities.
Safe, reliable road access for remote First Nations
communities, with $89 million in federal funding to
support the Hatchet Lake All-seasons Road Project in Saskatchewan and the Berens River Bridge and
Road Project in Ontario.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank's Housing Initiative,
which will provide low-cost financing to municipalities and
Indigenous communities. The initiative will help reduce barriers to
building infrastructure, such as water treatment, transit, and
green energy.
Everyone deserves to succeed. The measures outlined above will
help ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have
what they need to grow and succeed on their own terms – and these
are just some of the things that we are proposing in Budget 2024.
Reconciliation will be at the forefront of everything we do.
Alongside these measures, we're building more homes faster, keeping
our economy competitive, investing in health care, and making life
more affordable to make sure every generation can get ahead.
Quotes
"Our government is here as a partner. And
through Budget 2024, we're moving forward – together – to create
more and fairer opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. These
investments will bring opportunity, create jobs, build homes, and
continue our shared path toward meaningful reconciliation."
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister of Canada
"Through this year's budget, we are driving the kind of economic
growth that will ensure every generation can reach their full
potential – including tools to ensure every generation of
Indigenous Peoples can succeed on their own terms. The new
Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program will encourage Indigenous equity
ownership in major natural resource projects, helping Indigenous
Peoples benefit their fair share in Canada's economic growth."
— The Hon. Chrystia
Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
"When we talk about self-determination for Indigenous Peoples,
we have to talk about how we can be a partner to Indigenous
communities in advancing their priorities. Across the board – in
housing, health care, jobs, education, and more – Budget 2024
investments respond to the direct needs of Indigenous partners and
keep us moving forward on the path of reconciliation."
— The Hon. Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous
Relations
"Budget 2024 is helping build a fairer and more equitable
Canada for Indigenous Peoples. It
focuses on the foundational elements of fairness: investing in more
homes, more schools, and creating more economic opportunities. We
are working with Indigenous partners to restore the tools needed to
advance self-determination, create equal opportunities to grow, and
participate in all aspects of society."
— The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development
Agency for Northern Ontario
"Indigenous communities contribute greatly to Canada and are full of opportunities, but
often don't have the necessary resources to prosper. With Budget
2024, we're making the necessary investments in education and
economic growth, and we're helping to close the infrastructure and
housing gap to give Indigenous Peoples from across the country the
chance to succeed."
— The Hon. Dan Vandal, Minister of
Northern Affairs
Quick Facts
- The number of major natural resources and energy projects with
potential for Indigenous equity participation is anticipated to
grow significantly, with the potential to reach $525 billion
in capital investment over the next 10 years. The Indigenous Loan
Guarantee Program will help ensure Indigenous communities – who
have fewer options for securing capital due to the Indian
Act and the legacy of colonialism – are able to fully
benefit from these opportunities, by providing them with access to
affordable capital that meets their unique needs.
- The Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program builds on the
government's 2023 Fall Economic Statement commitment to help
facilitate Indigenous equity ownership in major natural resource
projects.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed more than
$6.7 billion to support housing
in Indigenous communities. As of December
31, 2023, we have committed to support over 22,000 new homes
in 611 First Nations communities.
- The government is also investing $4.3 billion to advance an Urban, Rural, and
Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, including the creation of a
National Indigenous Housing Centre to be announced over the coming
months. The Strategy will complement the federal government's
previous $6.7 billion to close
the Indigenous housing gaps. Informed by Indigenous-led engagement
with Indigenous governments, organizations, and housing providers,
the funding will be delivered through a new Indigenous-led National
Indigenous Housing Centre and by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
governments, Modern Treaty holders, and Self-Governing Indigenous
governments to ensure support is provided to all Indigenous
Peoples.
- Since 2015, the federal government has made significant
investments to build more homes, deliver better health care, and
ensure Indigenous communities have clean drinking water. Because
every Indigenous person deserves access to what they need to build
a healthy and vibrant life.
- The Government of Canada's
Budget 2024 was tabled in the House of Commons by the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on April 16, 2024.
Related Product
- Backgrounder: A Fair Future for Indigenous Peoples
Associated Links
- Fairness for Every Generation
- Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office