Engagement funding for the Additions to Reserve Policy redesign

“Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs”

$300,000.00

Maximum Eligible Amount

Government Grant

Fund Type

Background

Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada allocated funding to work with Indigenous partners as a first step in redesigning the Additions to Reserve Policy. The objective of this funding is to support engagement activities led by First Nations and Indigenous organizations that result in policy options, considerations and recommendations for the Additions to Reserve redesign.

The Government of Canada is committed to building a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. Recognizing that land is central to First Nation identity and economic resilience, returning lands to First Nations is critical to advancing reconciliation and self-determination.

Since being first introduced in 1972, the Additions to Reserve Policy has been updated in 1991, 2001 and 2016. The Additions to Reserve Policy is due for a significant change to ensure First Nations can create and add to reserves effectively and efficiently. Creating or adding land to reserves enables First Nations to seek strategically located lands to support their community and economic development objectives.

Federal responsibility for Additions to Reserve and Reserve Creation is shared between the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is responsible for the Addition of Lands to Reserves and Reserve Creation Act (ALRRCA) and the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act, including the authority to issue ministerial orders pursuant to these acts to set land apart as reserve. The Minister of ISC is responsible for the administration of the Additions to Reserve process.

Purpose

To align with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the redesign initiative began with seeking guidance from First Nations and Indigenous organizations through preliminary engagement to receive feedback on how to have meaningful engagement grounded in the needs and priorities of First Nations and Indigenous organizations.

In response to direction received and to ensure the Additions to Reserve Policy redesign is informed by lived experiences of Indigenous partners, this funding supports First Nation-led engagement. Supporting First Nation-led engagement is an important first step in co-developing options for the Additions to Reserve redesign.

The purpose of this engagement is to identify considerations and recommendations that will contribute to co-developing options for the Additions to Reserve redesign.

After engagement activities are complete, the next phase of the Additions to Reserve redesign will focus on validating policy options, considerations, and recommendations in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners. This next phase will also include opportunities for broader engagement with provinces and industry and is anticipated to start in the winter of 2024.

Progress Timeline

Summer 2022 to Fall 2022: Preliminary engagement (completed)

Spring 2023 to Spring 2024: Funded First Nation-led engagement

Fall 2024: Internal analysis

Winter 2024: Validation process and co-development of policy options

March 2025: Policy options developed