Asset Management

Most First Nations have no asset management systems in place to better plan for their short- and long-term infrastructure needs. These factors have caused the true capital and operations costs of existing and needed infrastructure assets to be unknown to both First Nations and ISC.

The federal government must deliver on their commitments by providing First Nations autonomy and self-governance to administer and manage a comprehensive and valuable infrastructure asset portfolio. Sustainable operations and maintenance funding is also absent, which has resulted in an inability for First Nations to implement a First Nations-led asset management framework.

First Nations Water Commission

Building on the last four years of work since 2018 dedicated to the repeal and replacement legislation for the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act (SDWFNA) the AFN and federal partners have entered the next phase of this project.

The Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) made up of AFN and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) representatives and other federal partners have been moving forward to co-develop the draft framework for new legislation and the framework for a First Nations Water Commission.

The Class Action Lawsuit settlement agreement committed the Federal government to introduce replacement legislation by December 31, 2022. It is hoped that during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Canada will commit to true consultation on a draft replacement legislation and accommodate First Nations to provide meaningful input supported by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Closing the Infrastructure Gap

The federal funding required to Close the Infrastructure Gap by 2030 represents a critical step towards urgently needed economic reconciliation between First Nations and the Government of Canada. Limited access to essential infrastructure including housing, education, healthcare, connectivity, and other capital buildings and services across First Nations communities has resulted in long-standing intergenerational inequality, especially when compared to the social infrastructure services that are regularly and consistently provided to most Canadians.

Presently, year-to-year infrastructure planning between ISC and First Nations via the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan(s) has led to the wide infrastructure gap due to a lack of strategic long-term community planning. An In-depth costing was carried out by ISC and experts in the field of infrastructure costing . AFN provided the project management function, provided liaison amongst all parties, and significant review of the narrative of the study. The final draft identified significant funding needs that will inform Budget 2023 and beyond including provision to meet NetZero 2050.

• Closing the Infrastructure Gap by 2030 – A Collaborative and Comprehensive Cost Estimate – 1st report