A New Fiscal Relationship Backgrounder: Ministry of Indigenous Services

Current Challenges

• Government funding is often short-term, proposal and program-based, and prevents planning and flexibility to respond to local needs
• Reporting burden; a former Auditor General has reported that communities can be required to file more than 100 reports annually to fulfill funding obligations
• The Default Prevention and Management Policy is punitive and counterproductive.

The Path Forward

• Predictable, long-term funding through fair transfers
• New fiscal relationship based on mutual accountability
• Different visions of and paths to self-determination respected
• Indigenous-led programs and services supported by strong Indigenous institutions and governments
• Flexibility in government responses to meet specific needs