(November 18, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement after Budget 2025, Canada Strong, was passed in the House of Commons with an assenting vote of 170 Members of Parliament.
“As we have said since this budget was first unveiled on November 4, Budget 2025 lacks the vision needed to build prosperity for all. This is a missed opportunity to address longstanding socioeconomic inequities—by investing in First Nations to ensure our children and future generations are not left behind,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Many critical programs for First Nations are poised to sunset next year, including in areas that saw no investment through Budget 2025—such as languages and education. Falling short in these crucial social investments is a failure for First Nations youth—the fastest growing demographic in Canada. The proposed 2% cuts to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs will also directly impact our communities by negatively affecting program and service delivery. This is not the path to Canada Strong.”
“This budget also lacks the critical infrastructure investments First Nations have been calling for,” continued National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “The budget has no clear commitments to closing the infrastructure gap, which alone would contribute more than $635 billion to the Canadian economy and create 330,000 jobs. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) provided a roadmap to prosperity for all through it’s pre-budget submission, which clearly spelled out the economic benefits to Canada of investing in crucial areas such as infrastructure. That evidence-based plan has been largely disregarded in this budget.”
The AFN presented a Pre-Budget Submission (PBS) detailing strategic, cost-effective commitments for the federal government. The AFN’s PBS covered critical investments in key areas like Building the Future through Capital Investments, Uplifting Communities through Essential Services, and Growing Self-Determination through Governance.
“It is disappointing to see the majority of Members of Parliament will stand behind this budget despite its clear shortcomings,” concluded National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “We’ll continue to push the government to work with us a on a plan to uphold First Nations right and honour the Prime Minister’s commitments to First Nations.”
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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. Follow AFN on X @AFN_Updates.
Contact information:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]