Education

Next steps

The Government of Canada continues to explore how best to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 6 to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code.

Education programming

Federal investments in pre-school, head start, school food, early learning and childcare are a crucial step in supporting children entering elementary school ready to learn. The Government of Canada has taken steps toward closing education achievement gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians for elementary and secondary education; and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for post-secondary education.

The Government of Canada has also taken steps towards closing education achievement gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous Canadians in elementary and secondary education, as well as between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in post-secondary education. Investments in pre-school, head start, early learning and childcare are also important in supporting children to enter elementary school ready to learn.

Elementary and secondary education

Between 2016 and 2018, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) supported community-level engagement with First Nations and co-developed a transformed policy and funding approach for First Nations elementary and secondary education to better support the needs of students ordinarily resident on reserve. These engagements, led by First Nations organizations, provided community members with the opportunity to share their views on how to improve First Nations student success.

Implemented as of April 1, 2019, with subsequent investments in 2021, 2022, and 2024 the co-developed framework:

• replaces a number of outdated proposal-based programs with improved access to predictable core funding through regional funding formulas
• provides base funding that is comparable to provincial systems across the country
• includes adaptations and additional national common investments, such as language and culture programming, full-day kindergarten for children aged 4 and 5, before- and after-school programming, and most recently, school food programming
• supports the development of regional education agreements to respond to the education goals and priorities set by participating First Nations communities

This transformed funding approach for elementary and secondary education has resulted in a 112% increase between 2015 to 2016 and 2024 to 2025 in education funding for First Nations on reserve.

Since 2016 and as of June 30, 2025, ISC has invested $2.29 billion of targeted funds (excluding operating expenses) to support 337 school-related infrastructure projects, 214 of which are complete. These projects will result in the construction or renovation of 236 schools, benefitting approximately 40,000 students:

• the construction of 77 new schools (benefitting approximately 19,000 students), 58 of which are complete
• renovations or upgrades to 159 existing schools (benefitting approximately 21,000 students), 113 of which are complete

Additionally, as a result of working with First Nations partners, ISC started implementing First Nations adult education programming, providing both implementation and expansion funding to improve adult education access, support program and curriculum development, fund learner outreach, and contribute to teacher upskilling initiatives, as well as enrollment-driven nstructional support for adults ordinarily resident on reserve to prepare for, upgrade, or complete their secondary education. First Nations in the provinces may choose to flow implementation and expansion funding through the existing Elementary and Secondary Education Program mechanisms, or via the the First Nations Adult Secondary Education program a new mechanism created to respond to First Nations' interest in partnering with post-secondary institutions, including Indigenous Institutes, either on or off reserve. In the territories, similar support is provided through the First Nations Adult Education Program, wherein funding for both direct learner support and for the implementation and expansion of adult education programming is unified in a single program or mechanism.

Post-secondary education

Indigenous Services Canada supports 3 distinctions-based strategies to provide financial assistance to eligible First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation students pursuing post-secondary education.

In accordance with a comprehensive review of federal supports for Indigenous post-secondary education announced in 2017, the Government of Canada worked with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council to develop distinctions-based strategies to help ensure that Indigenous students have better access to post-secondary education opportunities and provide more support so that Indigenous students can succeed during their studies.

These strategies, which were implemented with investments announced through Budget 2019, incorporate student supports, understanding of local needs and community-based programs and services to holistically support Indigenous students to attain a post-secondary credential.

In addition to funding for post-secondary students, ISC also supports the implementation of the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program to provide funding to support First Nations post-secondary institutions and support First Nations-led partnerships with post-secondary institutions to increase the availability of post-secondary education programs tailored to their cultural and educational needs.

Targeted investments are complemented by numerous federal programs of general application created to address barriers to accessing education.

Recent budget investments

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement announced an additional $802.1 million over 3 years starting in 2023 to 2024 for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program. This includes funding for the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy, as well as $100.2 million to continue supporting work placements for First Nations youth through the Income Assistance-First Nations Youth Employment Strategy Pilot, which ended in 2024 to 2025.

Budget 2024 also announced $351.2 million in funding for the YESS in 2025 to 2026 to create 90,000 youth job placements and employment support opportunities. Funds are also being allocated in 2024 to 2025 to continue support for the Student Work Placement program to create quality work-integrated learning opportunities. This funding includes:

• $150.7 million for the YESS program in 2025 to 2026
• $200.5 million for Canada Summer Jobs in 2025 to 2026

Recent progress

National School Food Program

The Government of Canada recognizes that education should not be hindered by a lack of access to healthy and culturally relevant food. School food programs positively impact health and learning and help children to reach their full potential in the classroom, leading to an improved quality of life and stronger communities.

Budget 2024 announced $1 billion over 5 years to implement a National School Food Program, which includes:

• $227 million over 5 years
• $38 million provided by ISC in 2024 to 2025 for First Nations students on reserve
• investments for Inuit and Métis communities, and Self-Governing and Modern Treaty partners, many of whom have some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada

Investments will also support capacity building and engagement with Indigenous partners to co-develop culturally appropriate solutions. These partnerships will aim to tackle food insecurity by advancing reconciliation and Indigenous-led solutions.

Next steps

Employment

Elementary and Secondary Education

Between 2016 and 2018, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) supported community-level engagement with First Nations partners and co-developed a transformed policy and funding approach for First Nations elementary and secondary education to better support the needs of students who reside on reserve. These engagements were led by First Nations organizations, and provided community members with the opportunity to share their views on how to improve First Nations student success.

Implemented on April 1, 2019, with investments in 2021, 2022 and 2024, the co-developed framework:

• replaces a number of outdated proposal-based programs with improved access to predictable core funding through regional funding formulas
• provides base funding that is comparable to provincial systems across the country
• includes adaptations and additional national common investments, such as language and culture programming, full-day kindergarten for children aged 4 and 5, before- and after-school programming, and most recently, school food programming
• supports the development of regional education agreements to respond to the education goals and priorities set by participating First Nations communities

This transformed funding approach for elementary and secondary education has resulted in a 112% increase between 2015 to 2016 and 2024 to 2025 in education funding for First Nations on reserve.

Additionally, since 2016 and as of June 30, 2025, ISC has invested $2.29 billion of targeted funds (excluding operating expenses) to support 337 school-related infrastructure projects, 214 of which are complete. These projects will result in the construction or renovation of 236 schools, benefitting approximately 40,000 students. Additionally:

• the construction of 77 new schools (benefitting approximately 19,000 students), 58 of which are complete
• renovations or upgrades to 159 existing schools (benefitting approximately 21,000 students), 113 of which are complete

Recent budget investments

Budget 2024 included new investments in First Nations' elementary and secondary education programming and infrastructure, including:

• $649.4 million over 2 years, starting in 2024 to 2025, for elementary and secondary education on reserve
• $545.1 million over 3 years, starting in 2024 to 2025, for K-12 infrastructure to build and renovate safe and healthy learning environments for First Nations students

In addition, Budget 2024 invested $1 billion over 5 years to create a National School Food Program, which includes investments in First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, as well as self-governing and modern treaty partners.

Through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada invested $310.6 million over 5 years to better support elementary and secondary student outcomes through a Regional Education Agreement with the Quebec First Nations Education Council (FNEC). FNEC's Regional Education Agreement, developed for 22 Quebec communities, which not only reflects self-determination principles but is also based on over 10 years of work on the part of FNEC and its member communities to design and develop an education funding model that is responsive to the specific needs and priorities of the communities' students. The agreement will provide a total envelope of approximately $1.1 billion over 5 years for these communities to implement education programs that will support the academic success of First Nations students.

The investments in Budgets 2024 and 2022 build on funding announcements in Budget 2021, in which the Government of Canada continued to take steps to close the education gap between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. Budget 2021 invested $1.7 billion over 5 years, and $300 million ongoing in funding and initiatives that respond to the needs of First Nations elementary and secondary students on reserve. This included:

• $726 million over 5 years, and $188 million ongoing, to enhance funding for the co-developed framework for elementary and secondary education in critical areas such as:
  • student transportation
  • ensuring funding for First Nations schools on reserve remains predictable from year to year
  • increasing First Nations control over First Nations education by concluding more regional education agreements
• $515 million over 5 years, and $112 million ongoing, to support before and after-school programming for First Nations children on reserve, which was announced as part of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare System
• $350 million over 5 years to expand access to adult education for First Nations students ordinarily resident on reserve, as well as in Yukon and Northwest Territories, including support for First Nations students wanting to access out-of-community adult education programs
• $112 million in 2021 to 2022, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting First Nations-led community measures so children on reserve could continue to attend school safely

Recent progress

Through the new funding approach, the Government of Canada and interested First Nations partners are developing regional education agreements that respond to the unique needs and priorities of First Nations communities. This approach recognizes that First Nations are best placed to make decisions on their priorities or where they see the greatest need and aligns with the principle of First Nations control of First Nations education.

As of March 31, 2025, 11 regional education agreements have been signed with First Nations partners, with 9 remaining active. In addition, 53 First Nation organizations from across Canada accessed regional education agreement development funding to either participate in a regional technical table or engage in discussions on regional education agreement development.

Next steps

First Nations or mandated First Nation education organizations continue to express interest in the development and renewal of regional education agreements with ISC, which will continue to support First Nations control of First Nations education and a pathway to service transfer.

Recent progress

An overview of expenditures between the 2020 to 2021 and 2023 to 2024 fiscal years can be found within the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Results Report, and details on transfer payments programs of $5 million or more:

• 2023 to 2024 Grants and Contributions to support First Nations Elementary and Secondary Educational Advancement

Recent budget investments

Recent progress

Through the new funding approach, the Government of Canada and interested First Nations partners are developing regional education agreements that respond to the unique needs and priorities of First Nations communities. This approach recognizes that First Nations are best placed to make decisions on their priorities or where they see the greatest need and aligns with the principle of First Nations control of First Nations education.

As of March 31, 2025, 11 regional education agreements have been signed with First Nations partners, with 9 remaining active. In addition, 53 First Nation organizations from across Canada accessed regional education agreement development funding to either participate in a regional technical table or engage in discussions on regional education agreement development.

Next steps

First Nations or mandated First Nation education organizations continue to express interest in the development and renewal of regional education agreements with ISC, which will continue to support First Nations control of First Nations education and a pathway to service transfer.

ISC will continue to work through established Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation to identify education joint priorities, co-develop policy, program and service options, as well as monitor progress honouring commitments to Call To Action 10.

The work of all 3 of these tables has included education as a priority area, and legislative options for education may be discussed in the future should Indigenous partners identify legislation as a priority.

Education

The Government of Canada has taken steps towards closing post-secondary education achievement gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous people.

Indigenous Services Canada supports 3 distinctions-based strategies to provide financial assistance to eligible First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation students pursuing post-secondary education.

In accordance with a comprehensive review of federal supports for Indigenous post-secondary education announced in 2017, the Government of Canada worked with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council to develop distinctions-based strategies to help ensure that Indigenous students have better access to post-secondary education, and provide more support so they can succeed during their studies.

These strategies, which were implemented with investments announced through Budget 2019, incorporate student supports, understanding of local needs and community-based programs and services to holistically support Indigenous students attain a post-secondary credential.

Recent budget investments

Budget 2024 renewed investments in post-secondary education made through Budget 2019, by providing $242.7 million over 3 years, starting in 2024-2025, to support access to post-secondary education for First Nations students through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.

Budget 2019 provided $320 million over 5 years to enhance the First Nations Post-Secondary Student Support Program, in addition to $7.5 million over 3 years to support First Nations-led engagement on the development of First Nations regional post-secondary education models. Budget 2019 also invested $125.5 million over 10 years and $21.8 million ongoing for the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy. Canada also invested $362 million over 10 years and $40 million ongoing for the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy.

Recent progress

The Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous partners in transforming the way the department approaches the review and implementation of policy and program reform.

In 2022 to 2023, ISC launched a formal engagement process with partners to update the terms and conditions under which the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy is administered. The goal of the engagement process was to improve the alignment of the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy with the overall objectives of Employment and Social Development Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The feedback gathered through the engagement process helped to inform recommendations for the forthcoming updates.

In 2024 to 2025, the distinctions-based Post-Secondary Education Strategies provided direct, flexible, and culturally relevant supports to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation students, enabling more eligible learners to access and succeed in post-secondary education. By funding academic and living expenses and supporting community-based and culturally tailored programming, these strategies aim to remove immediate barriers to education and strengthen Indigenous control over education systems.

In January 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada launched a national engagement process gathering input from Indigenous partners, industry, educational institutions, provincial and territorial governments and other federal departments to inform the development of a future policy approach for the Skills and Partnership Fund.

This engagement will inform how the fund can advance federal priorities, support Indigenous peoples to engage in both economic and community opportunities, particularly in the context of COVID-19 economic recovery.

The modernizing of this fund looks to effectively target emerging and priority sectors and explore opportunities with Indigenous-industry partnerships aligned to overarching Indigenous community and government priorities and be more responsive to an evolving labour market context.

Following the completion of this engagement, a "What We Learned" summary report will be developed and shared publicly. A new approach for future SPF investments will be communicated early in the new calendar year.

Next steps

In fiscal year 2025 to 2026, the department will continue to implement co-developed distinctions-based post-secondary education strategies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation recipients.

Continued implementation of these strategies is aligned with the principle of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation control of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary education.

Recent budget investments

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework sets out guiding principles and a shared vision for Indigenous children and families to grow up happy, safe, and connected to their cultures. It supports a coordinated system rooted in self-determination, centred on children, and grounded in Indigenous identity, values and knowledge systems.

To work towards achieving this vision, the Government of Canada has committed $3.7 billion to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families, beginning in 2018 to 2019. Moving forward, the Framework committed an additional $2.0 billion in planned investments from fiscal years 2025 to 2026 through to 2026 to 2027. Starting in 2027 to 2028, $903 million per year has been allocated on an ongoing basis, increasing by 3% each year to account for inflation.

Indigenous ELCC programs are designed by and with Indigenous families and communities to help Indigenous children get the best start in life. For that reason, self-determination and a distinctions-based approach are guiding objectives. This means that the federal government works with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nations in ways that recognizes the specific rights, interests, priorities and concerns of each group.

As a result, the majority of Indigenous ELCC investments are allocated on a distinctions basis. These funds are jointly managed through national and regional partnership tables or bodies with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation governments. This partnership model enables Indigenous-led decision-making and envisions the eventual transfer of high-quality ELCC programs to Indigenous governing bodies or entities at a pace of their own choosing.

Indigenous ELCC funding reaches hundreds of communities across Canada through federal contribution agreements administered by Employment and Social Development Canada, ISC, and the PHAC under the Indigenous ELCC Transformation Initiative. A significant portion of incremental Indigenous ELCC funds are being invested in operating community-based federal day care and head start programs. In addition, funding is supporting governance development and capacity-building to enable Indigenous designed and delivered strategies within a Canada-wide ELCC System. Indigenous partners have prioritized culturally appropriate ELCC with a focus on expansion of culturally appropriate curriculum and learning resources. Incremental funding has been used to recruit, train, and retain Indigenous early childhood educators. Plans are being developed to expand access through existing sites, new sites, or enhanced hours of care. Other funding activities have included minor capital repairs and renovations to sites and playground and equipment purchases to ensure safe, healthy, and enriching learning environments for young children.

Employment and Social Development Canada is the federal focal point guiding this horizontal initiative, with ISC, PHAC, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) as co-signatories to the horizontal terms and conditions of the Indigenous ELCC Transformation Initiative.

To assess the progress made towards achieving the vision and goals of the Indigenous ELCC Framework, the Government of Canada has committed to co-developing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation results frameworks with Indigenous governments. While this co-development work has been underway, Indigenous governments are reporting annually on progress through contribution agreements. The co-developed results frameworks are anticipated to be approved in 2025 to 2026 and implemented over 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027.

Guided by the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, PHAC allocates $29.1 million annually in core program funding. Through incremental investments in Indigenous ELCC provided through Budget 2021, the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities program will receive an additional $122.9 million in Indigenous ELCC funding over 5 years, beginning in 2022 to 2023, with $23.2 million ongoing annually, which will increase by 3% each year beginning in 2027 to 2028.

Recent Progress

On April 1, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) implemented a new administrative approach for the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities program, the result of over 2 years of collaboration to develop new culturally appropriate tools, templates and processes for the administration of the program. This approach emphasizes Indigenous-led administration grounded in relationships and capacity building, ensuring program delivery reflects community priorities.

Through comprehensive engagement sessions with recipients, PHAC has ensured alignment with program needs and partner perspectives to facilitate a more effective implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative. In April 2025, an additional 7 partner organizations opted to renew their funding agreements with PHAC, bringing the total number of agreements under the new administrative approach to 76. By fostering a collaborative approach, this initiative strives to create more equitable and self-determined Indigenous early learning and child care services, benefiting children and families across urban and northern communities.

The Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act received royal assent in 2024. It marks an important milestone in the federal government's commitment to working with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to ensure families across Canada have access to affordable, inclusive and high-quality early learning and child care, no matter where they live. It enshrines in law the federal vision, goals and guiding principles for a Canada-wide system of early learning and child care and commits to maintaining long-term federal funding for ELCC programs and services. It also commits that federal investments for ELCC programs and services for Indigenous peoples would continue to be guided by the co-developed principles set out in the Indigenous ELCC Framework.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous partners to achieve a Canada-wide ELCC system. As such, provinces and territories are engaging with Indigenous partners to implement the commitments outlined in the ELCC agreements.

In British Columbia, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was developed between the First Nations Leadership Council, the Government of Canada, and the province of British Columbia in 2024. This formalized Memorandum of Understanding sets out the parties' mutual commitment to collaborate, engage in dialogue, and jointly enable initiatives related to ELCC as self-determined by First Nations in British Columbia. This collaborative agreement could serve as a model for other jurisdictions to improve relationships between the federal government, provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous Peoples moving forward.

Next steps

The Federal Pathway, released in 2021, was a document intended for renewal. To this end, discussions with Indigenous partners as to the programs, initiatives and work moving forward are a necessary next step to identify priorities, needs and areas of work, including those related to Call to Action 12.

Further, the First Nations Child and Family Services program will continue to fund prevention and well-being initiatives through the Community Well-Being and Jurisdiction Initiatives, to respond to community needs which could include developing and implementing culturally appropriate parenting programming. Canada's reform efforts also include:

• conducting significant engagement with, and seeking feedback from Indigenous partners
• funding studies that provide options and recommendations on FNCFS program reform, such as those conducted by the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy
• having ongoing discussions with parties to achieve resolution of issues

The Government of Canada will also continue to engage with partners through governance mechanisms on The Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (the Act). Further engagement and dialogue could include the participation of national, regional, and community governments and organizations that represent First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation, section 35 right holders, Treaty Nations, self-governing First Nations, plus provincial, and territorial governments, as well as experts and those with lived experience, including Elders, youth and women.

PHAC will continue to support Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities recipients and sites in the Indigenous-led development of parental-related programming and enrichment activities. PHAC will also continue to support Indigenous partners' self-determined vision for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care as part of the new Canada-Wide Child Care Initiative. The Federal Pathway, released in June 2021, also commits to continue the progress towards an early learning and child care system that meets the needs of Indigenous families, wherever they live. This includes establishing before and after-school programming for First Nations children on-reserve, providing additional funding to expand access to culturally appropriate Aboriginal Head Start day care programs and services, repairing and renovating existing Indigenous early learning and child care centres, as well as building and maintaining new centres.

Indigenous specific investments will continue to advance First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation Indigenous ELCC priorities, guided by the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework. In 2024 to 2025, emphasis was placed on advancing the implementation of Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care investments that support minor capital repairs and renovations at existing Aboriginal Head Start and day care sites, as well as major infrastructure investments to replace sites that have reached the end of their useful life.

In addition to this work, the federal government will continue to work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments to co-develop results frameworks that enable the monitoring and assessment of progress towards the vision and priorities identified in the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Originally a 10-year initiative, all funding for the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care framework is permanent and ongoing. This includes dedicated investments for governance, programs and services, repairs and renovations and major capital. Examples of projects include:

• language immersion programs
• culturally appropriate curricula
• construction of new centres
• subsidies
• workforce supports

While Indigenous ELCC is an ongoing program, over time, the goal of the initiative is a full transfer of Indigenous ELCC service delivery to Indigenous entities, where desired and at a pace and scope of their own choosing.

Additionally, PHAC will continue to support the newly launched administrative approach for the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities program and ensure its smooth implementation. This includes providing ongoing assistance and resources to recipients as they navigate the new framework.

Finally, PHAC is working to transition the remaining contribution agreements in Quebec under the new administrative approach by April 1, 2026, which will include 10 sites across 5 recipient organizations. This approach will provide recipients with clearer processes, greater flexibility and strengthened supports to deliver Indigenous ELCCservices that reflect community priorities, while also ensuring Quebec agreements are aligned with those that have already transitioned under the new approach.