Our Work We advocate for federal funding to achieve equity and equality for First Nations.
Each year, the Assembly of First Nations advocates for funding for First Nations through the federal budget process, the government’s yearly financial plan which sets out the federal government’s overall taxation and spending priorities. Through several opportunities annually, the AFN undertakes research and advocacy for the purposes of ensuring sufficient, predictable, and sustainable funding for First Nations that supports implementation of inherent and Treaty rights, title, and jurisdiction.
The federal budget for 2022 commits to $11B for Indigenous priorities, a sizable reduction from the previous rate of investment.
This 6-year investment falls short in addressing the urgent and long-term needs identified by First Nations.
The government has committed to a housing investment of only 13% of the $44B identified by AFN.
First Nations have been living with the impacts of a housing shortage for generations. Appropriate investment will allow for improved outcomes in health, education and economic.
A lack of federal investment in First Nations’ priorities stalls recovery and participation in the economy.
Many of the priorities identified by the AFN, such as governance, implementing the MMIWG Calls to Justice, and post-secondary education, saw no new investments in the 2022 Budget.
Initiatives & Priorities The policies and initiatives driving fiscal improvements to promote quality of life for First Nations.
AFN Budget Advocacy
Each year, the Assembly of First Nations advocates for funding for First Nations through the federal budget process, the government’s yearly financial plan which sets out the federal government’s overall taxation and spending priorities. Through several opportunities annually, the AFN undertakes research and advocacy for the purposes of ensuring sufficient, predictable, and sustainable funding for First Nations that supports the implementation of inherent and Treaty rights, title, and jurisdiction.
The AFN has provided the following budget submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) and the Minister of Finance in recent years.
- AFN Pre-Budget Submission 2025 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-Budget Submission 2024 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2023 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2022 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2021 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2020 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2019 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2018 (pdf)
- AFN Pre-budget Submission 2017 (pdf)
Budget Monitoring
The AFN monitors federal budgets, supplementary estimates, and other funding announcements to ensure adequate funding for First Nations priorities.
The AFN produces summaries of funding investments and other products to support investments for First Nations.
- Assembly of First Nations Bulletin – Federal Budget 2022
- Analysis: First Nations Housing, Federal Budget 2022 (Draft)
- National Chief Welcomes Federal Investments in Budget 2021
- Assembly of First Nations Bulletin – Federal Budget 2019
- 2019 Federal Budget Provides Sustained Investments for Continued Momentum and Progress for First Nations
- National Chief Perry Bellegarde Bulletin – Federal Budget and Comprehensive Claims Funding
- Budget 2018 Makes Essential Investments in First Nations Children and Investments to Strengthen First Nations Governments
- AFN Bulletin – 2018 Federal Budget
- National Chief Bulletin – Federal Budget 2017
- 2016 Federal Budget Overview
- 7/4/16 National Chief Outlines Priorities for First Nations in Pre-budget Speech “Closing the Gap: a New Era for First Nations in Canada”
- 16/3/22 AFN National Chief Says Federal Budget a Significant Step in Closing the Gap for First Nations
- 16/3/10 AFN National Chief Says Federal Budget is Canada’s Next Opportunity to Address Human Rights Issues Noted in UN Report
- 04/21/15 Assembly of First Nations National Chief Says 2015 Federal Budget a “Missed Opportunity” for First Nations and Canada
Documents The latest resources on this topic.
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Assembly of First Nations
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