I Y R E X P L A I N S :
O R F E D E R A L
P A R T I E S
CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS POLICY AND RESEARCH
MARCH 2025
VOTING IN THE 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION
The Canadian electoral system is inherently colonial and voting laws have historically been used to marginalize and exclude many communities, especially Indigenous, Black, and immigrant peoples. We appreciate the range of opinions that exist on voting and respect that many Indigenous community members believe that voting validates this system, undermines Indigenous sovereignty and traditional governance systems, and instead choose not to exercise their right to vote. We hope that this information helps youth navigate those conversations as they decide whether and who to vote for!
When election time comes, you can visit Elections.ca to see who’s running in your riding. You can also check to see if you ’ re registered to vote!
DISCLAIMER: AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS DOCUMENT, CAMPAIGN PLATFORMS FOR THE 2025 ELECTIONS HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED, SO THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF PAST COMMITMENTS UP TO MARCH 2025.
FEDERAL POLITICAL PARTIES QUICK FACTS
The next federal election will be taking place by October 2025 In we will break down each major federal party’s overall stances and commitments on Indigenous rights.
The last federal election was held in September 2021, with the Liberal Party securing power with 160 seats. Since they won less than half of the total seats in Parliament, but more seats than any other party, they formed a minority government.
In March 2022, the NDP and the Liberals formed a supply and confidence agreement that helped keep the minority Liberal government in power. On September 4, 2024, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced that his party was ending this agreement. The agreement was a promise made by the NDP that they would support the minority Liberal government in key votes, like passing the budget, to help them stay in power. In return, the Liberals agreed to work on things the NDP prioritizes, like dental care and affordable housing.
To form a majority government, a party must win at least 170 seats out of the 338 total. The number of seats a party holds in parliament translates to
FEDERAL POLITICAL PARTIE
In the 2021 election, five parties secured seats in Parliament: the Liberal Party, th Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Green Party, and the B Québécois. While we will focus on the five major parties currently elected to Parliament, it’s worth noting that there are currently 18 nationally registered political parties in Canada
INDIGENOUS REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT
Throughout this IYR Explains, we ’ ve highlighted the members of parliament (MPs) for each party that identify as Indigenous. The 2021 federal election saw the highest number of Indigenousidentifying representatives elected to parliament with 11 elected between all parties. The party with the most Indigenous-identifying MPs is the Liberals, with six total, while the NDPs have the highest proportion of Indigenous-identifying MPs, with 3/24 (or 12 5%) Of the parties with Indigenous MPs, the Conservative party has the lowest proportion at 2 out of 120 MPs, and the Green Party and Bloc Québécois (BQ) have no Indigenous MPs.
THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA
The Liberal Party of Canada was formed in 1867 shortly after Canada became independent from Great Britain It was founded by politicians who wanted to promote their ideas of personal freedom, free trade, and unity across the new colonial state.
The contemporary values of the Liberal Party centre around democratic governance, equality, and balancing economic prosperity with social justice.
The Liberal Party currently governs the country and has been in power since 2015
Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney (2025-present)
Current leader: Following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, the Liberal party elected Mark Carney as their new leader. Carney will serve as prime minister-designate until sworn in, at which time he’ll become official prime minister Carney will then need to win a seat in the House of Commons during the next federal election in order to secure his role as leader.
There are currently 153 Liberal representatives (MPs) in the House of Commons. Six of these MPs identify as Indigenous:
MP Jaime Battiste, Sydney—Victoria, Nova Scotia
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Saint Boniface Saint Vital, Manitoba
MP Marc G. Serré, Nickel Belt, Ontario
MP Michael V. McLeod, Northwest Territories
MP Vance Badawey, Niagara Centre, Ontario
MP Yvonne Jones, Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador
THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
What funding have they contributed or promised to Indigenous communities?
In the 2024 Budget, the Liberals committed about $9 billion overall to Indigenous communities, including:
Child and Family Services: $1.5 billion
K-12 Education: $1.2 billion
Health: $1 billion
Housing and Community Infrastructure: $918 million
Mental Health: $640 million
Policing (First Nations and Inuit-led): $467 million
Income Supports on Reserve: $927 million
Mercury Poisoning Care (Grassy Narrows): $57.5 million
Loan Guarantees for Natural Resource Projects: $5 billion
In April 2024, we published an IYR Explains breaking down the federal government’s 2024 budget, where you can learn more.
What commitments have the Liberals made on key Indigenous policy matters?
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+):
The Liberal government has committed to addressing the MMIWG2S+ crisis through the Federal Pathway, with recent funding being allocated for initiatives like a Red Dress Alert System.
After decades of Indigenous advocacy, the Government of Canada announced the launch of a national Inquiry into MMIWG2S+ in 2015 The inquiry concluded in 2019, but the federal government has made little progress toward completing the 231 Calls to Justice, five years since they were first issued.
Child Welfare:
The Liberal government has pledged to continue supporting Indigenous children and families by implementing Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth and Families. Recent budget allocations include $1.3 billion over five years to work with Indigenous communities to implement the Act. First Nations leaders and child welfare advocates continue to criticize the implementation of the bill for its lack of attached funding.
Truth and Reconciliation:
The Liberal government has committed to implementing the TRC 94 Calls to Action; however, as of 2024, only 13 of them have been completed.
Recent allocations made in the 2024 Budget include $91 million over two years to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) to support communities in documenting, locating, and memorializing Residential School burial sites, and an additional $5 million over three years to establish a program aimed at combating Residential School denialism.
Self-Government, Land and Water:
The Liberal Party has committed to advancing reconciliation and self-determination by supporting Indigenous-led treaty implementation. This includes resolving outstanding land claims and moving away from the Indian Act Recent funding commitments in the 2024 Budget included $96.4 million for Section 35 rights negotiations.
The Liberal Party has recently committed to investing $1.6 billion over two years (20242025) to improve First Nations communities’ drinking water and wastewater systems.
Education:
The Liberal Party recently committed $649.4 million over two years to elementary and secondary education on reserves, $545.1 million over three years to K-12 infrastructure, and $242.7 million over three years to improve post-secondary access for Indigenous students.
Housing:
Since 2015, the Liberal Party has made commitments to address the housing challenges faced by Indigenous communities across the country. In their 2021 election campaign, the Liberals pledged to co-develop an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy and a National Indigenous Housing Centre with Indigenous partners.
Healthcare:
The Liberal Party has pledged to implement Joyce’s Principle and co-develop Indigenous Health legislation. Recent funding commitments include $562.5 million for the NonInsured Health Benefits Program (NIHB) and $630.2 million for mental health services. The Liberal Party has committed to combating anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare by pledging $167 6 million over five years in the 2024 Budget This funding will support initiatives to foster cultural safety, increase Indigenous representation in healthcare, and provide anti-racism training for health professionals.
Quotes from Liberal Party Leadership
“Reconciliation is not just a matter of looking back and understanding the mistakes of the past. It is also about understanding that those mistakes are still shaping us today. The Government of Canada is dedicated to walking alongside Indigenous communities on their healing journeys, making it a top priority to support them every step of the way. ”
-Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“Reconciliation requires lasting trust, transparency, and accountability, which means honouring the commitments we have made.”
-Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Crown-Indigenous Relations
“Indigenous Peoples have been guardians of the land and water since time immemorial yet are often on the front lines of climate impacts. Their knowledge is invaluable in addressing the climate crisis. Canada is listening to and standing with Indigenous communities across continents to protect the land and build resilience in communities.”
-Minister Patty Hadju, Indigenous Services
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre (2022-present)
What funding have they contributed or promised to Indigenous communities?
What commitments have the Conservatives made on key Indigenous policy matters?
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+):
During the 2019 federal election, the Party’s platform included a pledge “to develop a National Action Plan to address the MMIWG2S+ crisis ”
Truth and Reconciliation:
During the 2021 election, then-party leader Erin O’Toole pledged to make progress on all of the TRC Calls to action.
During the 2021 election, the CPC also pledged to fund an investigation of all former residential schools and outline plans to allocate resources to communities to honour victims and survivors of residential schools by committing resources to educate Canadians on the legacy of residential schools.
In 2008, then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper became the first Canadian Prime Minister to issue a formal apology on behalf of the Government of Canada for the residential school system and its impacts
Healthcare:
The Conservative Party’s stance on healthcare generally centers around relying less on government regulation or federal oversight and letting provinces have more say in healthcare.
In addition, the CPC proposes an Enhanced Canada Health Act that would change the current framework to ensure federal healthcare funding is distributed in a stable and transparent way
In 2012, the Harper government cut funding to the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO), causing it to close. The funding cut amounted to $5 million per year. This was heavily criticized as NAHO had been playing a key role in addressing critical Indigenous health issues.
THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA (NDP)
The New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) was formed in 1961 through merging the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) with the Canadian Labour Congress. The goal was to unify left-leaning and socialist movements nationwide and introduce progressive social-democratic ideals into Canadian politics.
While the NDP never formed a government, they held the position of the official opposition between 2011 and 2015.
Current leader: Jagmeet Singh (since 2017)
The NDP currently has 24 representatives (or MPs) in Parliament. Three of these MPs identify as Indigenous:
MP Leah Gazan, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba
MP Blake Desjarlais, Edmonton Griesbach, Alberta
MP Lori Idlout, Nunavut
NDP Party Leader Jagmeet Singh (2017-present)
Quotes
from NDP Leadership
“I want to build a country where there is more time for joy, less worry. More justice and compassion, less greed. That means working in a true nation-to-nation relationship,”
-Party Leader, Jagmeet Singh
“I look forward to working with families, survivors and advocates to hold the Liberal government to account and to end the ongoing genocide against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people,”
-MP Leah Gazan, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba
“We must come together now and forge a new path of justice and equality We must recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples to these lands and give space for that knowledge and leadership to blossom, grow, and spread. Our very future depends on it,”
-MP Blake Desjarlais, Edmonton Griesbach, Alberta
THE BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS (BQ)
The Bloc Québécois (BQ) was formed in 1991 by Quebec MPs who left the Conservative and Liberal parties after the failure of the Meech Lake Accord (Québec’s Independence from Canada). The party promotes Quebec’s interests in the House of Commons
The BQ has never formed a government in Canada and has never been the Official Opposition.
Current leader: Yves-François Blanchet (since 2019)
Bloc Québécois Party Leader Yves-François Blanchet (2019-present)
The BQ currently has 33 representatives (or MPs) in Parliament. None of these MPs identify as Indigenous.
THE BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
What funding have they contributed or promised to Indigenous communities?
Truth and Reconciliation:
The BQ commits to ensuring the predictability and sustainability of funding for programs supporting the healing of residential school survivors, such as the Health Support Program. They also state that elected BQ MPs would work to pressure the government to implement all of the TRC’s Calls to Action.
Quotes from BQ Party Leadership
at to think, and that people, like there is
s- François Blanchet
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s- François Blanchet
THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
The Green Party of Canada was formed in 1983 in response to growing concerns about environmental issues, social justice, and sustainable development. Inspired by the global green movement, its founders sought to bring environmental awareness into Canadian politics.
The Green Party has never formed a government in Canada and has never been the Official Opposition.
Current leader: In March 2025, the Green Party announced a co-leadership model where Elizabeth May (party leader since 2022) and Jonathan Pedneault would lead the party together. While Pedneault will be taking on duties like entering formal debates during election season, the leaders will make decisions collaboratively.
The Green Party currently has 2 representatives (or MPs) in Parliament. None of these MPs identify as Indigenous.
Green Party Co-Leader
Elizabeth May (2022-present)
Green Party Co-Leader
Jonathan Pedneault (2025-present)
THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
What funding have they contributed or promised to Indigenous communities?
Quotes from Green Party Leadership
“It's time to end the era of colonial oppression and genuinely support Indigenous Peoples' work and efforts towards self-determination so no one is left behind or excluded from their rightful heritage,"
-Party Co-Leader, Elizabeth May
“We must implement the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,”
-Party Co-Leader, Elizabeth May
NEXT STEPS
As we near Election 2025, CIPR will continue to produce content that ensures Indigenous youth have all the information they need to cast their vote in an informed way, if they so choose!
Keep an eye on our online spaces, where we will keep you updated on important Election 2025 news like what the parties are promising this time around!
To check if you are registered to vote ahead of time, you can go to electionscanada.ca!
SOURCES
About the Liberal Party
Bill C-92 receives Royal Assent, Government of Canada (2019)
Budget 2024, Government of Canada (2024)
Budget 2024 promises $9B and loans for resource projects, APTN (2024)
Calls for Justice on MMIWG2S+ still not complete, APTN (2024)
Canada announces funding for Indigenous-led climate projects and partnerships between Latin America and Canada, Save the Children Canada (2024)
The Federal Pathway, CIRNAC (2021)
Liberal Party of Canada, Canadian Encyclopedia (2019)
Liberals pledge $9B in new money for Indigenous communities in 2024 budget, CBC (2024)
Platform 2021: Continuing Progress on Reconciliation and Self-Determination, Liberal Party of Canada (2021)
Platform 2021: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, Liberal Party of Canada (2021)
Platform 2021: Support Indigenous Housing, Liberal Party of Canada (2021)
Request for Proposals Process for an Indigenous-Led National Housing Centre, CMCH (2024)
Statement by Minister Anandasangaree on the Introduction of legislation to establish a new Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, CIRNAC (2024)
Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Prime Minister of Canada (2024)
Statement from Ministers Marc Miller, Patty Hajdu, Dan Vandal and Pablo Rodriguez on National Indigenous History Month, CIRNAC (2023)
Urban, Rural, & Northern Indigenous Housing: The Next Step, Evergreen Resourc
Your Liberal MPs | Liberal Party of Canada (2025)
About the Conservative Party
AFN leader questions if Tories would top $47.8B child welfare reform offer, urges chiefs to back it, CBC News (2024)
Budget 2015, Government of Canada (2015)
Conservative Party, The Canadian Encyclopedia (2020)
Conservative Plan includes affordable housing, Indigenous housing strategy, and pledge to build one million homes, NetNewsLedger (2021)
First Nations Will Bring Home Resource Dollars with Poilievre, Conservative Party of Canada (2024)
Harper’s disregard for aboriginal health, The Globe and Mail (2012)
Harper government defends First Nations housing fund, despite poor results, CBC News (2015)
History, Beliefs, & Values: Conservative Party of Canada, Britannica (2025)
O’Toole promises progress on all Indigenous truth and reconciliation calls to action, Global News (2021)
Poilievre delivers first speech to AFN, chiefs confront him about Harper’s legacy, CTVNews (2024)
Policy Declaration, Conservative Party of Canada (2023)
Statement from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Conservative Party of Canada (2024)
Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools, CIRNAC (2008)
About the NDP
NDP commits to $1.8B for clean drinking water for Indigenous communities, Free Grassy (2024)
NDP MP Leah Gazan’s study on life-saving Red Dress Alert to begin, NDP (2024)
NDP secures major investment in housing for Indigenous peoples, NDP (2023)
New Democratic Party (NDP), The Canadian Encyclopedia (2019)
Press Release on the National Day of Action on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ , Leah Gazan (2024)
Reconciliation is at the heart of what we do, NDP (2025)
About the Bloc Quebecois (BQ)
Bloc Québécois, The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023)
Platform 2021, Bloc Québécois (2021)
About the Green Party
Co-Leadership Announcement, Green Party of Canada (2025
Demand Action on MMIWG report, Green Party of Canada (20
Green Party of Canada, The Canadian Encyclopedia (2021)
May commits to process for First Nations to opt out of Indian A Greens say MMIWG recommendations must be implemented i Canada (2024)
Our History, Green Party of Canada (2025)
Platform 2021, Green Party of Canada (2021)
Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples, Green Party of Canad
We need real reconciliation in Canada, Green Party of Canad
About the Green Party
Co-Leadership Announcement, Green Party of Canada (2025)
Demand Action on MMIWG report, Green Party of Canada (2024)
Green Party of Canada, The Canadian Encyclopedia (2021)
May commits to process for First Nations to opt out of Indian Act, CBC News (2019)
Greens say MMIWG recommendations must be implemented immediately, Green Party of Canada (2024)
Our History, Green Party of Canada (2025)
Platform 2021, Green Party of Canada (2021)
Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples, Green Party of Canada (2021)
We need real reconciliation in Canada, Green Party of Canada (2025)
About the Supply and Confidence Deal
What does the end of the Liberal-NDP agreement mean for Canadians? The Conversation (2024)
NDP tears up supply and confidence deal with Liberals, APTN (2024)
General Sources
Calls to Action, Indigenous Watchdog (n.d)
Current Members of Parliament, House of Commons, (2025)
Registered Political Parties and Parties Eligible for Registration, Elections Canada (2025)
Canada’s 2021 Federal Election Live Results, The Globe and Mail (2021)
Majority and Minority Governments, Parliament of Canada (n d )
Scorecard: Where do the Federal Parties Stand on Indigenous Women’s Issues?, Native Women’s Association of Canada (2021)
Shannen’s Dream, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (2025)
What is the First Nations Land Management Act?, JFK Law (2015)
What the federal party leaders say about reconciliation, Cabin Radio (2021)
What the parties are promising this election about m girls, CBC News (2019)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigeno