Call to Action # 7

We call upon the federal government to develop with Aboriginal groups a joint strategy to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

Why “In Progress”

April 7, 2022: Budget 2022 invests $310.6M over 5 years to better support on-reserve student outcomes through a regional Education Agreement with the First Nations Education Council.

Budget 2021 invests $1,188M over 5 years with $181.8M ongoing funding across three priority areas: COVID-19 support, funding mechanisms and First Nations control over education and adult education.

This expands upon Budget 2018 investments of:

  • $1.1 billion over five years, and $235.7 million per year ongoing, for a First Nations stream
  • $325 million over five years, and $67 million per year ongoing, for a Métis Nation stream 
  • $161.2 million over five years, and $32.6 million per year ongoing, for an Inuit stream 
  • $213.4 million over five years, and $45.2 million per year ongoing, for an urban/non-affiliated stream

April 1, 2019: Indigenous Services Canada began implementing their new approach to funding Indigenous elementary and post-secondary education using formula-based regional models that are more comparable to provincial funding models. The distinctions-based approach is designed to address the unique needs of each Indigenous group to decrease the gaps in education and ultimately in employment.

Jan. 21, 2019 – Official government response is primarily focused on education funding but does announce a distinctions-based funding approach to strategy development specific to First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Current Status

April 1, 2023

In Progress

Previous Status

March 1, 2023

In Progress

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Auditor-General Spring Report: 2018

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Quality Education Backgrounder

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