Ottawa, unceded traditional Algonquin territory, Ontario - Lands Advisory Board and Indigenous Services Canada
Today, Chief Robert Louie, Chairman of the Lands Advisory Board (LAB), Austin Bear, Chair of the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding securing further funding for First Nations land management. With this new five-year funding agreement, part of the $187 million of funding over five years and over $34 million ongoing provided in Budget 2023, the LAB and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre will support First Nations in governing their lands and creating economic and social opportunities for their communities. Communities with operational land codes will receive an increase in funding to govern their lands-up to 21% for most First Nations. Funding to support communities seeking to also opt out of the relevant sections of the Indian Act and develop their own land codes will be increased by 50%. In addition, up to 50 more First Nations will be supported to become signatories to this historic agreement over the next five years.
The new funding formula will significantly increase the core funding for operational First Nations that have resumed jurisdiction over their reserve lands under the Framework Agreement. The new formula will also better support First Nations working together to govern jointly held reserve lands. Budget 2023 also increased funding for First Nations developing or transitioning to a land code. These investments will help more First Nations govern their reserve lands outside of the Indian Act without the involvement of the federal government.
When First Nations are not hindered by the Indian Act, they are better positioned to create new social and economic opportunities. This funding increase signals a strong commitment from the Government of Canada in support of First Nations' inherent right to self-governance over their lands, resources, and environment.
The LAB and the Government of Canada celebrate their continued and strengthened partnership, taking another step toward service transfer and implementing Articles 26 and 29 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which focuses on Indigenous rights to lands and their use, and control and protection of lands.
