BUDGET 2023 AT A GLANCE

In this issue of CRE Explains, we break down some of the Budget 2023 investments that will impact Indigenous youth and their communities the most.

With the cost of everything soaring, this budget was expected to include ways to bring down the cost of living while also spending big chunks of money on things like the national dentalcare program to secure NDP support for the budget (and avoid an early election).

UNDRIP implementation, housing for Indigenous communities, and continuing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic were also expected to take up budget funds.

In its report summarizing what it heard from 32 witnesses and 706 written briefs, the Standing Committee on Finance drafted 9 recommendations specifically related to funding for Indigenous communities and for addressing Indigenous issues. These include: funding for the Indigenous Guardians program (rec. 61) and other Indigenous-led conservation projects (rec 62), funding to create a national Indigenous youth program (rec. 96), and funding to address the backlog of land claim and self-government negotiations with Indigenous nations (rec. 228).

The Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, and Pauktuutit all submitted public briefs with their budget recommendations.

Funding Set Aside For Indigenous Communities

$811 million for medical travel, mental health, dental, vision and medication for Indigenous peoples over five years

$16 million for reducing tuberculosis rates in Inuit communities

$76 million to advance selfgovernment initiatives

$35 million for a First Nations lands advisory board

$125 million envelope of funding for measures related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, LGBTQQIA+ and Two-Spirit people

$4 billion over seven years for a co-developed urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing strategy that will help Indigenous people living outside their home communities.