First Nation Infrastructure Funds available to reserves across Canada
GATINEAU, QC (October 3, 2007) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief (Yukon), Rick O'Brien, today announced a simplified process for First Nation communities to access funding to improve infrastructure on reserves.
"Canada's New Government is making it easier and faster for FN's communities in the provinces to access increased funding for infrastructure projects." said Minister Strahl. "I am confident that this simplified approach will increase efficiency and streamline access to infrastructure funding for First Nations governments which will ultimately improve the quality of life in these communities."
The First Nations Infrastructure Fund (FNIF) simplifies access to infrastructure funding by combining three existing funds: the First Nations component of Infrastructure Canada's Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and Gas Tax Fund, as well as contributions from INAC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
The fund will be available for projects aimed at improving solid waste management, energy systems, roads and bridges, and planning and skills development. It builds upon existing INAC infrastructure programs that directly target water and wastewater projects, housing and other infrastructure on reserves.
"Canada's New Government is supporting improvements to public infrastructure in First Nations communities that will ultimately enhance quality of life and protect the environment," said Minister Cannon. "The First Nations Infrastructure Fund complements the infrastructure investments being made in communities across the country through Building Canada, the Government of Canada's new long-term infrastructure plan that provides $33 billion towards infrastructure investments over the next seven years."
"One of the biggest challenges facing First Nations communities is infrastructure so we welcome today's announcement of a streamlined approach to access infrastructure funding," Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief Rick O'Brien said. "First Nations can benefit from these additional resources, we look forward to continuing to work with the federal government to make the fiscal investments that are needed in First Nation communities."
The FNIF is a collaborative initiative that has been developed by Infrastructure Canada and INAC, in discussion with the Assembly of First Nations. It is a project-based proposal driven program aimed at helping First Nations improve infrastructure on reserve. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2007.
The FNIF is open to First Nation communities in the ten provinces. Communities in the three territories have received infrastructure funding through the federal-territorial Gas Tax Fund and Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund agreements, and will continue to receive increased funding under the Building Canada Infrastructure Plan.
Backgrounder - Overview of the First Nations Infrastructure Fund (FNIF)
The proposal-based FNIF will provide First Nations with the opportunity to access funds for community planning and skills development, waste management, roads and bridges and energy systems.
The total program funding of $131M, over five years represents a combination of funds from existing federal funding sources:
- The First Nations component of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (including both Budget 2003 funding and the Budget 2006 top-up)
- The First Nations component of the Gas Tax Fund (announced Budget 2005)
- The Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
The objectives of FNIF are to: improve health and safety of First Nation communities; contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment; improve the delivery of public services; and enhance collaboration between First Nation communities, municipalities, provinces, other federal departments and the private sector.
Communities in the three territories have received funding through the federal-territorial Gas Tax Fund and Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund agreements. The FNIF will supplement the department’s regular capital funding to improve infrastructure on reserves.
Overview of Indian and Northern Affairs Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program (CFMP)
The Capital Facilities and Maintenance (CFM) program supports the provision of funding for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of community facilities, such as water and wastewater systems, education facilities, on-reserve housing, roads and bridges, administration offices, and the remediation of on-reserve contaminated sites.
The program invests approximately $1 billion per annum in First Nation infrastructure, with one-third of this amount allocated for infrastructure operation and maintenance.
Funding is also provided for training and capacity building.
Examples include: training for water and wastewater treatment plant operators, training related to housing, fire protection, physical development plans/capital plans, and infrastructure components of comprehensive community plans.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Long-Term Capital Plan (LCTP) is a 5-year investment plan that accounts for and forecasts the department’s capital and operation and maintenance investments on-reserve. The LTCP further assists First Nations in creating healthy, safe and sustainable living conditions on -reserve by optimizing capital investments in a manner that assigns highest priority to those areas which mitigate the highest health and safety risks to First Nation communities across Canada.
CFM Program priorities are :
- protecting and maintaining the life cycle of existing assets;
- mitigating health and safety risks through existing and new assets;
- addressing the backlog of water and sewer projects under CFM activities; and
- other priorities including investments in sustainable communities (e.g., housing, electrification, roads, educational facilities, and community buildings.)
Source of Information: