The Government of Canada has announced $738.9 million in new investments over five years to strengthen health services, governance, and emergency management for First Nations communities across the country. The funding was announced by Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty at the Spring Chiefs Assembly of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and is intended to improve access to essential services in communities that often face unique challenges due to remoteness, limited infrastructure, and increasing climate-related emergencies.
A major portion of the package, $400 million over five years starting in 2026–27, will be used to maintain access to health services and digital health tools in remote and isolated First Nations communities. This includes support for nurses and other health professionals, with $41.17 million specifically allocated to frontline health workers employed by First Nations in 29 communities where nursing stations have been transferred to local control. An additional $84.38 million will fund contracted community paramedics to strengthen the existing health workforce. The government says these investments will help ensure communities can access quality, culturally safe, and trauma-informed healthcare where provincial or territorial services are limited or unavailable.
To strengthen First Nations governance and administration, the government is also investing $283.3 million over two years. This funding will support programs such as Band Support Funding, Employee Benefits, Professional and Institutional Development, and Tribal Council Funding. The goal is to help First Nations build stronger governance structures, improve public administration, plan for long-term development, and enhance community leadership capacity, all of which are considered essential to sustainable community well-being and self-determination.
The remaining $55.6 million, to be provided in 2026–27 through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP), will support First Nations in preparing for and reducing risks from natural hazards and health emergencies. The funding will strengthen community capacity for preparedness and mitigation, including FireSmart initiatives and emergency management coordination. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the disproportionate impact of disasters on Indigenous communities, which have accounted for 42 per cent of wildland fire evacuations over the past four decades. In 2025 alone, more than 45,000 people from 73 First Nations were displaced by wildfire. The government said response and recovery support will continue to be delivered urgently, with EMAP covering 100 per cent of eligible emergency-related costs.
