Strategic outcome and program descriptions

Public Accounts of Canada 2018 Volume II—Top of the page Navigation

Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Strategic outcome 1

The People — Individual, family and community well-being for First Nations and Inuit.

Program 1.1: Education

This Program's overarching goal is to work in partnership with First Nations, provincial and territorial governments and other education stakeholders, to provide eligible First Nation and Inuit students with support in order to achieve educational outcomes that are comparable to those of other Canadians. The Education Program provides funding for culturally-appropriate elementary and secondary education for eligible First Nation students ordinarily resident on reserve, and financially supports post-secondary education for eligible First Nation and Inuit students.

Program 1.2: Social Development

This Program provides funding to four social sub-programs: Income Assistance, Assisted Living, First Nations Child and Family Services, and Family Violence Prevention. Together, these sub-programs assist First Nation individuals and communities in becoming more self-sufficient, protect individuals and families at risk of violence, provide prevention supports that allow individuals and families to better care for their children, and support greater participation in the labour market. The Program assists First Nation men, women and children to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency in First Nation communities across Canada by providing funding for First Nations, First Nation organizations, provinces and others that provide individual and family services to on-reserve residents (and Yukon First Nation residents). These services help First Nation communities meet basic and special needs, support employability and participation in the workforce, and support the safety of individuals and families. Through these four social sub-programs, First Nations are better able to advance their own development, leverage opportunities and actively contribute to the broader Canadian economy and society.

Program 1.3: Residential Schools Resolution

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement — a multi-party negotiated settlement monitored by the courts – is a commitment to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement supports the Government of Canada's goal of reconciliation with former students, their families and communities, and other Canadians. The Independent Assessment Process – the one remaining component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement is a non-adversarial, out-of-court process for claims of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and other wrongful acts causing serious psychological consequences to the claimant. The Independent Assessment Process aims to bring a fair and lasting resolution to harm caused by residential schools through a claimant-centred and neutral process. Updates on the Independent Assessment Process are posted quarterly on the Department's website. This program uses funding from the following transfer payment(s): Contributions for Groups of Indian Residential School survivors who wish to resolve their claim as a group under the Independent Assessment Process.

Program 1.4: First Nations Individual Affairs

This program contributes to ensuring federal stewardship of the legislative and administrative responsibilities of the federal government pertaining to registration, membership, status cards and estates. Results are achieved through direct client services and partnerships with First Nations to determine eligibility for registration under the Indian Act; issue proof of registration documents, such as the Secure Certificate of Indian Status, and administering estates under the Indian Act. Through client-centric service delivery, the sound administration of individual affairs contributes to the well-being of First Nation individuals, families and communities.

Strategic outcome 2

The Land and Economy — Full participation of First Nations, Métis, Non-Status Indians and Inuit individuals and communities in the economy.

Program 2.1: Infrastructure and Capacity

This Program provides funding and advisory assistance to First Nation communities for the construction, acquisition, operation and maintenance of community infrastructure assets on reserves. These assets include drinking water systems, wastewater systems and community buildings. The Program also includes support for emergency management assistance, climate change adaptation projects and funding and advisory support for water and wastewater systems, education facilities, housing and other community infrastructure such as roads and bridges, electrification, and community buildings (these four sub-programs are collectively known as the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program). Ultimately, this Program enables First Nations to participate more fully in the Canadian economy by establishing infrastructure that meets established standards, and the needs of First Nation communities.

Program 2.2: Community Economic Development

This Program promotes conditions that will help improve community economic development and prosperity for Indigenous peoples. Guided by the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development — and its vision of "Enhancing the Value of Indigenous Assets" — this Program promotes greater self-reliance and participation in the mainstream economy and community well-being. This is achieved through supports to institutions and First Nations for land and environmental management and economic development.

Program 2.3: Indigenous Entrepreneurship

This Program supports and strengthens the long-term viability of Indigenous entrepreneurial business, greater participation in the economy, and improved economic prosperity for Indigenous peoples. This Program—guided by the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development—helps create and grow viable Indigenous businesses through increasing access to capital, capacity, networks, business development services and business opportunities.

Program 2.4: Strategic Partnerships

This Program supports Indigenous community preparedness activities to engage with partners in economic opportunities, including the Strategic Partnerships Initiative—an innovative, horizontal program intended to align federal efforts to support Indigenous participation in complex economic opportunities, particularly large regional opportunities and major resource developments. The Strategic Partnership Initiative provides a mechanism for federal partners to collectively identify emerging opportunities, target investment decisions and streamline program application and approval processes to support Indigenous communities at the early stages of large and complex economic opportunities. In doing so, closer partnerships with non-federal partners, including provincial and territorial governments, the private sector and Indigenous communities can be built. By addressing gaps in programming, this ensures that Indigenous peoples can participate in and benefit from priority regional opportunities and major resource developments. This Program uses funding from the following transfer payment(s): Contributions to support the Aboriginal Economic Development Strategic Partnerships Initiative.

Program 2.5: Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples

This Program supports participation of urban Indigenous individuals and communities in the economy. It is comprised of two streams: Community Capacity Support and Urban Partnerships. The Community Capacity Support stream provides funding to urban Indigenous community organizations to deliver programs and services that are designed to remove barriers and encourage innovative partnerships. The Urban Partnerships stream is comprised of a planning component and an implementation component. The planning component supports communities with multi-stakeholder engagement (private sector, municipalities, Indigenous groups) in the design and development of regional strategic plans and the identification of community priorities. These plans are then shared with the National Association of Friendship Centres which, in turn, implements the priorities through community projects. This Program uses funding from the following transfer payment(s): Contributions to support the Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Strategic outcome 3

The Government — Support good governance, rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples.

Program 3.1: Rights and Interests of Indigenous Peoples

This Program seeks to strengthen collaboration between governments and Indigenous groups through mutual respect, trust, understanding, shared responsibilities, accountability, dialogue and negotiation concerning the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. Partnerships will be established helping to contribute to the strengthening of the social, economic and cultural well-being of Indigenous communities to support conditions for more active participation in Canadian society. The Program also addresses reconciliation objectives, constitutional and historic obligations and public policy by: negotiating agreements that achieve clarity with respect to law-making authority and the ownership, use and control of lands and resources; addressing specific claims; dealing with special claims; developing multi-partner processes in areas identified by Indigenous groups and the federal government; and supporting effective and meaningful consultation and accommodation with Indigenous groups and their representation in federal policy and program development.

Program 3.2: Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties

This Program aims to create and maintain ongoing partnerships to support fulfilment of Canada's legal obligations pursuant to both pre and post-1975 treaties, while considering ongoing rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. This Program supports Indigenous communities in articulating their interests, participating in economic activities, and managing and developing land and resources, where applicable. It also helps to demonstrate the importance of treaties and related partnerships between the Crown and Indigenous peoples. This is achieved by honouring Canada's obligations as set out in final settlement agreements and treaties, and by improving collaboration between Canada and Indigenous peoples, and between Canada and pre and post-1975 Treaty groups. Creating and maintaining relationships and partnerships that honour pre and post-1975 treaties contributes to strengthened, healthy, self-reliant and sustainable Indigenous communities while promoting delivery of programs and services vital to the health and advancement of Indigenous peoples. This Program uses funding from the following transfer payment(s): (S) Indian Annuities Treaty payments; (S) Grants to Aboriginal organizations designated to receive claim settlement payments pursuant to Comprehensive Land Claim Settlement Acts; Grants to implement comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements; Grants to Participating First Nations and the First Nations Education Authority Pursuant to the First Nations Jurisdiction over Education in British Columbia Act; Contributions to support the negotiation and implementation of Treaties, Claims and self-government agreements or initiatives; Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development; and Contributions to support First Nations Elementary and Secondary Educational Advancement.

Program 3.3: Governance and Institutions of Government

This Program provides support to First Nation governments, as well as Indigenous governance institutions and organizations. The intent of this support is to facilitate capacity development in the Indigenous public service, the elected leadership, and entities that administer aggregate services on behalf of or to First Nation governments and their communities. Transparent and accountable First Nation governments attract investment, create opportunities, and effectively support their citizens. Transparent and accountable institutions and organizations strengthen the fabric of Indigenous governments across Canada, assist Indigenous communities and their governments in attracting investment, and support Indigenous participation in the Canadian economy. Ultimately, good governance practices are essential for active Indigenous participation in Canadian society and the economy.

Program 3.4: Other Claims

This Program addresses payments related to the resolution of litigation and/or out-of-court settlements for any claim that cannot be designated to any other existing Indigenous and Northern Affairs program. Key activities could include: the assessment of the merits of the claim; the completion of a settlement agreement where appropriate; payment of any monetary compensation and funding and implementation of related activities pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement and/or direction by a Tribunal or court.

Strategic outcome 4

The North – Self-reliance, prosperity and well-being for the people and communities of the North.

Program 4.1: Northern Land, Resources and Environmental Management

This program focuses on the management, sustainable development and regulatory oversight of the land, water, natural resources, and environment of the North, delivering on the Department's role as the Government of Canada's natural resource manager in Nunavut and the northern offshore, and its post-devolution responsibilities in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. This program involves: managing oil and gas resources development; supporting the sustainable management of active mineral exploration and development; supporting the sound management of contaminated sites, Nunavut and the few remaining Indigenous and Northern Affairs-managed land and water areas in the North; and ensuring the completion of territorial land-use planning including zones for conservation, development and other uses. Northerners and Canadians will benefit from economic opportunities and sustainable development.

Program 4.2: Northern Governance and People

This Program strengthens the North's communities and people by: devolving responsibilities for lands and natural resources to territorial governments; fostering effective intergovernmental relations with territorial and Inuit governments; collaborating with Inuit organizations and providing support to Territorial Commissioners; subsidizing the costs of nutritious perishable foods and other essential items in isolated northern communities; providing grants for hospital and physician services in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories; working with northern communities, governments, and organizations to address the risks and challenges posed by climate change; and advancing Canadian and northern interests through circumpolar forums such as the international Arctic Council. Canadians and Northerners will benefit from territorial governments ultimately having more control over their own affairs.

Program 4.3: Northern Science and Technology

This Program supports scientific research and technology in the North through programs and infrastructure to ensure domestic and international policy on key northern issues is better informed by a scientific knowledge base. The focus of this Program is to: research and monitor contaminants and their impacts on the ecosystem and human health through the Northern Contaminants sub-program; assess, manage and communicate scientific data and results, and contribute expertise to help inform public policy making and international controls on certain contaminants; and support the construction of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. Northerners and all Canadians will benefit from a knowledge base that supports health and sustainable development and the positioning of Canada as an international leader in Arctic science and technology.

Strategic outcome 5

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 5.1: Internal Services

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the Federal Government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refer to the activities and resources of ten distinct services that support program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are: Acquisition Management Services, Communications Services, Financial Management Services, Human Resources Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Legal Services, Materiel Management Services, Management and Oversight Services, Real Property Management Services.

Canadian High Arctic Research Station

Strategic outcome 1

Canada has world-class Arctic science and technology to support the development and stewardship of Canada's North and is recognized as a leader on circumpolar research issues.

Program 1.1: Science and Technology for the North

This program aims to create the conditions to anchor a strong research presence in Canada's Arctic. Through both partnering and internal science and technology, POLAR will acquire the wide range of information needed for effective solutions to Arctic issues, policy and research program development in the North, and to advance Canada's position as a leading Arctic nation. The depth of knowledge gained through scientific and technological research and training supports greater sustainable use of the North's land and natural resources.

Program 1.2: Polar Knowledge Application

This program aims to lead the mobilization of polar science and technology into action. POLAR will: analyse and disseminate polar knowledge from its Science and Technology Program, as well as that from current federal, territorial and other stakeholders, and investments to inform management, programming, and policies; promote Arctic science and technology nationally and internationally; and build capacity through training, outreach, and learning opportunities. This will ensure polar knowledge is relevant to stakeholders and builds a science culture in Canada.

Strategic outcome 2

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 2.1: Internal Services

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the Federal Government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refer to the activities and resources of ten distinct services that support program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are: Acquisition Management Services, Communications Services, Financial Management Services, Human Resources Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Legal Services, Materiel Management Services, Management and Oversight Services, Real Property Management Services.

Public Accounts of Canada 2018 Volume II—Bottom of the page Navigation

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