(October 21, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – Today, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak raised serious concerns regarding the lack of progress on some of the programs provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) that are critical to the health and well-being of First Nations as set out in the Auditor General of Canada’s report issued today.
“The pace of progress is too slow on critical programs that are essential to the safety and well-being of our people,” said AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Too many of our communities still don’t have safe drinking water – for some, it’s been more than a decade. After consecutive summers of dangerous wildfires, the Auditor General found that fewer First Nations have emergency services agreements in place than in 2022. These are just two examples where we need urgent action. We agree with the Auditor General’s observation that a key to breaking barriers to progress is to bolster support for First Nations capacity. This lack of essential government services is a human rights issue that the Crown is obliged to address. First Nations hold the solutions and are ready to work with government to ensure our citizens are safe and secure.”
The “Follow-up on Programs for First Nations” Report found that ISC had made unsatisfactory progress in implementing actions to address more than half of the Auditor General’s recommendations (18 of 34) in six audits completed from 2015 to 2022. Despite an 84% increase in the department’s spending on programs since the 2019–20 fiscal year, significant challenges remained in improving services and program outcomes for First Nations communities.
“The Government of Canada has legal and moral obligations to First Nations, and we look forward to seeing more involvement of First Nations in the running, planning, and design of programs to avoid the pitfalls of the past,” said the National Chief. “Investing in First Nations is an investment in our shared future. We urge the Government of Canada to ensure that investments for First Nations and initiatives with First Nations are prioritized in the upcoming budget. Together, we can move forward faster.”
The National Chief acknowledged and thanked the Office of the Auditor General for its ongoing, important work in highlighting issues, challenges, and potential paths forward in the priorities for First Nations and government.
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
Contact information:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]