Published plans and annual reports 2023-2024: Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

Ministry overview

Ministry's vision

Supported ministry partners on key provincial economic priorities, including the Ministry of Mines The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ (IAO) works to ensure a better future for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Ontario. The ministry does this by:

• Leading strategic Indigenous policy for Ontario by coordinating cross-government initiatives that improve outcomes for Indigenous people;
• Leading provincial negotiations of Indigenous land claims; and,
• Supporting economic and community development for Indigenous partners.

Ministry contribution to priority outcomes

The ministry's strategic direction is focused on three areas:

• Promoting Indigenous employment, and economic and community development:
  • Lead and support the development of the government’s policy agenda for Indigenous people and communities.
  • Provide funding to directly support economic development, jobs and prosperity for Indigenous people and communities, including Indigenous community participation in land and resource consultation and engagement.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of operational strategies and options for critical infrastructure development.
  • Inform policy and program development through data, research, and outcomes assessment.
  • Improve Indigenous people’s access to Ontario government programs, services and information by working with other ministries and Indigenous organizations.
• Make meaningful health and social improvements in the lives of Indigenous people:
  • Facilitate and support the design, delivery and evaluation of a range of health, education and social programs and services across ministries that support Indigenous communities and organizations, including addressing systemic racism in provincial institutions, addressing the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, improving the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous women and girls, the child welfare system and beyond.
  • Maintain bilateral Relationship Tables with representatives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Ontario and with Indigenous service providers to support their priorities across government.
  • Support partner ministries that are engaging, or designing engagements, with Indigenous partners on policy, programs or legislation.
  • Coordinate cross-ministry supports to respond to Indian Residential School (IRS) burial investigations.
  • Provide funding to support Indigenous communities and organizations to improve social conditions on- and off- reserve including community capital projects, and work with Indigenous partners and partner ministries to respond to community needs.
  • Assist in the response to social emergencies in First Nation communities through formalized processes.
  • Coordinate mandatory Indigenous Cultural Competency Training for all OPS employees to help public servants develop more inclusive policies and programs that consider the distinct needs of Indigenous people.
• Address Ontario's legal obligations on treaties, land claims, land related matters, and the Duty to Consult:
  • Lead the resolution and implementation of land and land-related claims with First Nations and other Indigenous communities in Ontario, which includes administering funding to Indigenous communities to meaningfully participate in negotiations on claims.
  • Enhance awareness and best practices for consulting or engaging with Indigenous people, including the development and sharing of tools and guidance to support consistent and coordinated approaches across government.
  • Support ministries in the development of policy/program proposals by applying an Indigenous lens, which includes identifying potential risks/impacts to Indigenous communities and the Crown’s relationships with those communities as well as Duty to Consult obligations.

Ministry programs

IAO works to create lasting wellness and prosperity with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across through the delivery of its own programming, but also by working with ministry partners to deliver provincial programs or services that directly impact Indigenous communities in Ontario. In 2023-24, IAO anticipates undertaking the following activities to support its strategic priorities:

• Promoting economic opportunities for Indigenous employment, economic and community development
  • Supporting leadership meetings between the Premier's Office, provincial ministers and the leadership of Indigenous communities and Provincial-Territorial Organizations.
  • Working with partner ministries and Indigenous organizations to support and enhance Indigenous economic development, including continued support for the First Nations’ Economic Growth and Prosperity Table to provide input and perspectives on how government can best support prosperity for Indigenous communities and businesses.
  • Continuing to support the delivery of $25 million in Indigenous economic development funding over 3 years from 2022-2025, including:
    • Partnerships with Aboriginal Financial Institutes to deliver low-interest loans and grants and a new e-commerce program,
    • Working with Ontario First Nations Economic Developers Association on delivery of Indigenous training opportunities and capacity supports for First Nations economic development officers and departments,
    • Partnering with the Chiefs of Ontario to better understand and map the First Nations’ supply chain, and
    • Work with Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to support Indigenous apprentices and skills trades.
  • Leading the enhancement of the government procurement process to increase procurement opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
  • Working with the Ministry of Mines (MINES) to engage First Nations’ leadership in a refocus of the Far North Act as well as support the development of operations and strategies related to the Ring of Fire area, including implementation of an MOU with supportive First Nations and supporting the identification of communities for consultation and engagement.
  • Working with MINES and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to move forward with resource revenue sharing from mining, forestry, and aggregates to help Indigenous communities share in benefits from resource development.
  • Working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to engage Indigenous communities and leadership on aspects of the Environmental Assessment Modernization initiatives.
  • Working with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Ministry of Northern Development (MND) to develop a cross-government strategy to address roads and related infrastructure in the North and remote North, including all-season roads, highway safety as well as airport infrastructure and operations.
  • Working with MTO to support consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities on the Twinning of Highway 17, a strategic link in the Trans-Canada highway system. Widening the highway is expected to improve safety, reduce travel time and bring economic opportunity to the communities through inclusion in the construction project.
  • Working with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) in implementing Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan to improve and expand broadband, digital services, and cellular access in unserved and underserved areas, including remote and rural First Nations.
  • Working with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to engage First Nation communities and leaders on tobacco and potential new partnerships regarding on-reserve approaches to tobacco regulation, community safety, economic development, and business regulation.
  • Working with MOF to support the administration of the First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement. The Agreement is to provide First Nations with long-term, stable financial support to improve the quality of life in First Nation communities.
  • Working with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (MHSTCI) to support the growth and promotion of the Indigenous tourism industry in Ontario.
  • Through IAO's New Relationship Fund, the ministry is:
    • Supporting the participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in meaningful consultation and engagement with government and the private sector on land and resource matters; and,
    • Increasing economic development and skills training opportunities and enabling long-term lands and resource planning in participating Indigenous communities.
  • Through the Indigenous Economic Development Fund Transfer Payment Program, IAO's partners with Aboriginal Financial Institutions to deliver:
    • The Economic Diversification Grant, which provides funding for projects to enable the recipients to undertake strategic economic planning to assist them in expanding their economic base and to explore opportunities for job creation in response to the impacts of the pandemic.
    • The Business and Community Fund, which provides funding to address the ongoing needs of small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, including the start-up and expansion of Indigenous businesses to stimulate the Indigenous economy.
    • The Regional Partnerships Grant, which provides funding to increase access for Indigenous people to accredited training programs.
  • Through IAO's Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program, the ministry is:
    • Supporting the construction, renovation and/or retrofit of Indigenous community infrastructure projects (on-and off-reserve) that contribute to economic development, job creation, and create positive social benefits for the community.
• Make meaningful health and social improvements in the lives of Indigenous People
  • Engaging federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners on practical opportunities that will improve socio-economic conditions for First Nations in the North, including water quality, energy transmission, Ring of Fire, infrastructure, employment development, and health and mental health.
  • Continuing to assess and review implications and opportunities of federal legislation, policies and commitments for Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario, including in the areas of child and family services, health, languages, and policing, as well as Canada's United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
  • Coordinate and/or support government response to social emergencies, natural disasters, and critical infrastructure failures in First Nations communities by working with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC), other Ontario ministries, Indigenous partners, and federal government departments. Additionally, lead the development and implementation of protocols and supporting guides, tools, and training which improve government response to emergencies.
  • Continue to deliver the Regional Social Emergency Managers (RSEM) program. Since 2021, the RSEM program has funded 11 full-time positions across Nishnawbe Aski Nation tribal councils and Grand Council Treaty #3 regional organizations.
  • Working across ministries and with Indigenous and federal partners to support the identification, investigation, and commemoration of IRS burials across Ontario, including delivering funding and in-kind support and exploring policy, regulatory and legislative vehicles that are responsive to IRS work.
  • Continuing to work across ministries, with the federal government and First Nation partners to address the recommendations from the Seven Youth Inquest to support the safety and wellbeing of First Nation students attending schools away from their home communities, including in Thunder Bay.
  • Collaborating with ministries and Indigenous partners to inform policies, legislation and programs that improve the quality of life for Indigenous people in Ontario in the areas of child and family services, social assistance, health, mental health and addictions, food security, former Indian Residential Schools (IRS) investigations, systemic racism, emergency response, education, and justice. This includes:
    • Working with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skilled Development (MLTSD) to continue supporting the funding relationship with Right to Play’s Indigenous Programs (PLAY), which supports programming for at-risk youth and supports the development of leaders within 40 First Nation communities.
    • Co-leading with MCCSS the work across provincial ministries and with federal and Indigenous partners to design and implement Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Women and Girls.
      • As part of this strategy, Ontario’s “2022-2023 Pathways to Safety Progress Report” (Year Two) is expected to be released in Summer 2023 and will include steps taken towards development of an Indigenous-led performance measurement framework that is aligned with the Pathways to Safety Strategy.
    • Supporting Ontario’s Anti-Hate Plan to implement Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ people anti-hate and discrimination initiatives to address intersectional hate and promote greater understanding and inclusion.
  • Supporting the implementation of 51 recommendations from the Expert Panel report for the modernization of the Mercury Disability Board's (MDB) claims assessments and processes. The MDB provides benefit payments to members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and Grassy Narrows First Nation (Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek) who demonstrate qualifying medical symptoms or conditions consistent with mercury poisoning.
  • Through IAO's Participation Fund Program, the ministry builds collaborative and meaningful relationships through the Leadership and Relationship Tables with:
    • First Nations Provincial Territorial Organizations to support organizational capacity, issues resolution and to address priorities impacting the member communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty #3, Independent First Nations, and the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.
    • The Métis Nation of Ontario to support the increased participation of Métis communities and individuals in Ontario society.
    • The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres to support urban Indigenous people in Ontario.
    • Tungasuvvingut Inuit to support the unique needs of Inuit people in Ontario.
• Addressing Ontario’s legal obligations on treaties, land claims, land related matters, and the Duty to Consult
  • Working across government, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and industry to work towards ensuring that consultation obligations are understood and met, including the development of operational guidance, tools, training, and other supports to address the day-to-day needs of all Ontario ministries in meeting the duty to consult and other consultation matters.
  • Researching and assessing land claim assertions, continuing to make progress on the claims accepted for negotiation and on land-related matters and issues, such as transfers of lands pursuant to a policy-based agreement.
  • Working to carry out Ontario’s commitments in implementing several claim settlements that have been successfully negotiated.
  • Working with Ministry partners, where possible, to seek negotiated solutions to issues currently under litigation.
  • Continuing to implement the framework for identifying Métis communities that can credibly assert Aboriginal rights as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Powley.
  • Through IAO's Support for Community Negotiations, the ministry will continue to deliver funding to enable Indigenous communities to meaningful participate in negotiations with the province regarding land and land related claims to build stronger relationships and mitigate litigation.

2023-24 strategic plan

• Over the 2023-24 fiscal year, the ministry aims to continue delivering on its vision to create lasting wellness and prosperity with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Ontario to help make reconciliation meaningful to people.
• The ministry will continue to deliver on its Key Performance Indicators, which includes:
  • Resolving Outstanding Land Claim and Land Related Issues;
  • Policies & Programs Reflecting Indigenous Interests and Perspectives;
  • Increasing Administrative Efficiencies;
  • Creating Jobs in Ontario for Indigenous People;
  • Increasing Economic Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples; as well as
  • Collecting and reporting on the horizontal indicator to track progress across government – Improving Social Outcomes for Indigenous People.
• Key Priorities for the Ministry in 2023-24 include:
  • Working in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations to deliver $10.1 million in operational funding for the identification, investigation, protection, and commemoration of burial sites at former Indian Residential Schools (IRS) schools across the province, while also delivering the $15 million in IRS-related mental health and trauma support to Indigenous communities, Regional Indigenous Organizations (RIOs), families and communities.
  • Continuing to support the delivery of $25 million in Indigenous economic recovery and development funding over 3 years from 2022-2025, including: partnering with Aboriginal Financial Institutes (AFIs) to deliver an e-commerce grant program, increasing training opportunities and capacity supports for First Nations communities, undertaking work to better understand the First Nations’ supply chains with Chiefs of Ontario (COO), and working with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to support Indigenous apprentices and skills trades.
  • Continuing to address legal obligations related to Treaties, Land, Claims, and Land Related Matters on behalf of Ontario by:
    • Researching and Assessing 9 Land Claim Assertions;
    • Progressing on the 53 claims accepted for negotiation, as well as any new claims that may be accepted;
    • Advance the 16 land-related matters and issues, such as transfer of lands pursuant to a policy-based agreement;
    • Carrying-out Ontario’s commitments in implementing 20 claim settlements that have been successfully negotiate.
  • Providing advice and support to ministries, along with the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG), regarding recognition of Aboriginal rights, assertions of jurisdiction, governance matters, as well as general consultation engagement and relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations.
  • Encourage diversity and inclusion, especially representation of Indigenous people in the Ontario Public service, through supporting the coordination and development of National Truth and Reconciliation Day and supporting the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) with engagement and advice with the implementation of commitments under Ontario’s current (2017-2022), as well as forthcoming five-year (2023-2027), Anti-Racism Strategic Plan.
  • Advising related to federal rights-related policies, and technical support in federally led self-government discussions or negotiations regarding provincial responsibilities and interests.
  • Continuing to work in partnership with First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples and with Indigenous service providers in Ontario, to maintain bilateral Relationship Tables to support their priorities across government.
  • Working with First Nation leadership through the First Nation Leadership Advocacy Strategy for quarterly meetings with the Premier, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Cabinet Ministers, on joint First Nation and provincial priorities.
  • Advancing work related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit data governance through relationship building with partners, including empowering the control over their data and for their own purposes, such as informing decision-making, advancing research, and promoting cultural revitalization and self determination.
  • Partnering with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) on several key priorities regarding community welfare, including:
    • Reforming child welfare as it relates to Indigenous youth and families, as well as the facilitation of community control of child and family services in First Nation communities;
    • Implementing the co-developed Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy (OICYS), including in respect to the ministry’s discussions and negotiations with Indigenous partners on Indigenous systems building and self-governance;
    • Supporting the review of the Children, Youth and Family Services Act, including legislative amendments to the Act to distinguish customary care from residential care, establish circles of supportive persons, increase access to updated complementary services, and enhance the role of community-based, prevention-focused Indigenous service providers within Ontario’s child and family services system;
    • Supporting the implementation of Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) units as part of the Anti-Human Trafficking strategy to proactively identify, locate and engage with children and youth who are at high risk of being sex trafficked and to connect them with community-based and culturally specific services; and
    • Advising MCCSS along with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) in housing priorities, such as engagement with Indigenous partners on Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan and to support Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate, housing solutions and services for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness.
  • Supporting government commitments that address community safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples, including:
    • The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) and other ministries, in addressing long-standing and systemic issues in the long-term care sector, including by drawing attention to the challenges impacting Indigenous and First Nations homes.
    • Supporting the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) in their efforts to make Ontario more inclusive for all, including older Indigenous adults and Indigenous persons with disabilities.
    • The Ministry of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN) in the implementation of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 to ensure that First Nation communities and Indigenous peoples living in urban centres receive sustainable, accountable, equitable and culturally responsive policing, including through providing a legislative basis for First Nation police services.
    • SOLGEN and MAG to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Ontario’s correctional institutions as well as support these ministries as they work with First Nations leadership and the federal government to address barriers related to the enforcement and prosecution of First Nation Laws.
    • Continuing to work with the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) and MMAH along with other ministries to ensure Indigenous interests related to heritage and burials and archaeology are meaningfully considered.
  • Working to promote prosperity and economic community development by:
    • Partnering with MAG and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to negotiate mutually beneficial agreements with interested Indigenous communities on the regulation of cannabis on-reserve;
    • Supporting the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) to enhance opportunities for Indigenous people around job creation and employment, entrepreneurship, economic development, research, and innovation; and
    • Collaborating with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) on engaging Indigenous partners in the province’s approach to employment services integration and supporting employment and skills development opportunities for Indigenous people.
• Partnering with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) to create the conditions that make it easier for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit learners to have choices and opportunities for a high-quality postsecondary education.

Detailed financial information

Note: *Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.

Ministry 2023-24 Allocation by Standard Account ($133.2M)

Ministry 2023-24 Allocation by Vote-Item ($133.2M)

On behalf of Ontario, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is responsible for settling land and land-related claims brought against the province. As the ministry does not receive a budget allocation for this activity, there may be significant variances between the ministry’s estimated versus actual expenditures due to the recognition of contingent liabilities associated with these claims or settlement payments that occurred over the course of the fiscal year. For this reason, Actuals 2020-21 and 2021-22 are significantly higher when compared to Estimates 2022-23 and 2023-24.

For Estimates 2023-24, the ministry has a budget that is 13% greater than 2022-23 mainly due to an additional $10.1 million in funding for investigations of burial sites at former Indian Residential Schools (IRS) across the province and a commitment of $15 million for IRS related mental health and trauma support.

Ministry organization chart

Effective March 31, 2022

• Minister
  • Deputy Minister
    • Legal Services Branch
    • Corporate Management Division
      • Corporate Management Branch
      • Strategic Human Resources Business Branch
    • Indigenous Relations and Programs Division
      • Indigenous Relations and Ministry Partnerships Branch
      • Programs and Services Branch
    • Negotiations and Reconciliation Division
      • Divisional Services Unit
      • Negotiations Branch — Northeast and South
      • Negotiations Branch — Northwest
    • Strategic Policy and Planning Division
      • Performance Measures and Data Unit
      • Residential Schools Unit
      • Strategic Initiatives Social Policy Branch
      • Strategic Planning and Economic Policy Branch
    • Communications Services Branch
    • Land and Resources I & IT Cluster ^{footnote 3[3]} 

Part I appendix: 2022-23 annual report

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs overview

In 2022-23, the ministry played a leading role in strategic Indigenous policy for Ontario, leading cross-government initiatives that improved outcomes for Indigenous people, led the provincial negotiation of Indigenous land claims, and supported economic development for Indigenous partners.

The ministry achieved the following key results:

• Regularly supported meetings between the Premier’s Office and Provincial Territorial Organizations (PTOs), provided advice and support materials to numerous meetings between government Ministers and Indigenous leadership, and maintained strong collaborative working relationships with representatives of Indigenous organizations, communities, and urban Indigenous service organizations at Relationship Table meetings held virtually throughout the fiscal year.
• Advised ministries on engagement and consultation with Indigenous communities for a range of provincial policy initiatives and legislation.
• Through ongoing Relationship Tables with representatives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Ontario, the ministry supported partner priorities across government, established meetings to address priority issues and maintained technical and leadership meeting schedules as identified by each partner.
• Promoted awareness and understanding of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Treaties Recognition Week, providing online resources to support learning and reflection, and implementing the return of in-person Living Library events in schools.

IAO also delivered on it’s strategic priorities by undertaking the following activities:

• Promoting Indigenous employment, and economic and community development:
  • Ongoing support for the First Nations’ Economic Growth and Prosperity Table, providing an opportunity for First Nation’s leadership to provide advice directly to government on economic and community development priorities.
  • Delivered the first year of funding for the ministry’s three-year $25 million in economic development and training supports as announced through the 2022 Budget, which includes:
    • $10 million for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs to increase access to low-interest loans and grants;
    • $2.5 million to support digitization and e-commerce for Indigenous businesses;
    • $6.8 million for Indigenous training and capacity building for economic development officers in First Nation communities;
    • $800,000 to better understand issues within Ontario's First Nation supply chain and grow First Nation businesses;
    • $4 million to support skills training and Indigenous apprentices to be delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD);
    • $900,000 to support the work of the Economic Growth and Prosperity Table for economic advancement initiatives and for the well-being of First Nations communities
  • Through the New Relationship Fund, the ministry provided $12.5 million to Indigenous communities and organizations to support their participation in meaningful consultation and engagement with government and the private sector in lands and resources matters.
  • Through the Indigenous Economic Development Fund, IAO provided up to $5.8 million to Indigenous-owned small and medium-sized businesses and $1.2 million to support the recovery of Indigenous communities through strategic planning.
  • Through the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program, the ministry provided $6 million to support the construction, renovation and/or retrofit of Indigenous community infrastructure projects (on- and off-reserve) that contribute to economic development, job creation and social benefits to the community, through the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program.
  • Through the Ontario Indigenous Representative Organization Fund the ministry provided $1.7 million in funding through the to support Indigenous organizational capacity and development.
  • Through the Métis Economic Development Fund, IAO provided a total of $3 million in support for economic development within the Métis Nation of Ontario and Red Sky Métis Independent Nation communities.
  • Increased procurement opportunities with the provincial government for Indigenous businesses through the Indigenous Procurement Program. The Program has directly supported over 250 new procurements valued at over $94 million for Indigenous businesses in Ontario since 2015.
  • Supported ministry partners on key provincial economic priorities, including the Ministry of Mines (MINES) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to help fulfill the government’s mandate to expand resource revenue sharing as well as to provide guidance related to consultation and community identification for work related to the Ring of Fire.
• Make meaningful health and social improvements in the lives of Indigenous People
  • Worked with provincial ministries, the federal government, and First Nations partners to coordinate the response to four critical infrastructure failures and/or natural disasters, two declarations of a social emergency, three declarations of an emergency for enhanced supports due to COVID-19 outbreaks, and two requests for emergency assistance by First Nation communities due to social crises.
  • Led the continued implementation of the Indigenous Cultural Competency Training for the Ontario Public Service (OPS) using the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program to address the pervasive effects of colonization and ensure that public servants have improved knowledge to work with Indigenous communities and leaders when developing and delivering policies, programs, and services.
    • As of January 2022, the OPS has registered 42,866 employees for Indigenous Cultural Competency Training. This comprises an estimated 73 percent of the total workforce based on the 2022 OPS headcount.
  • Worked across ministries and with First Nation partners to continue to address the recommendations of the Seven First Nations Youth Inquest and submitted Ontario’s sixth annual progress report to the Office of the Chief Coroner. To date, of the 61 recommendations directed to the province, Ontario has completed 41 recommendations, with 20 recommendations in progress.
  • Ontario supported Nishnawbe Aski Nation to host identification clinics in several remote communities where a significant number of foundational government-issued identity documents were completed, including birth certificates, delayed birth registrations, adult and children health cards and complex applications. IAO continues to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation to find solutions to address the barriers in accessing government-issued identification.
  • Provided significant support to ministries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Attorney General (MAG), in assessing and reviewing implications of federal legislation, policies and commitments on Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario, including:
    • An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families (Bill C-92).
    • Canada’s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and federal actions to implement the Declaration.
  • Worked with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) to incorporate Indigenous considerations into the refreshed Poverty Reduction Strategy, to implementation of child welfare redesign, including the implementation of the co-developed Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy (OICYS), and to negotiate with Indigenous partners on implementing their own child and family services systems.
  • Worked with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide $10.6M in COVID-19 vaccination funding to support urban Indigenous-led clinics to address vaccine hesitancy and administer vaccines to children, youth and priority populations.
• Address legal obligations on treaties, land claims, land related claims, and the Duty to Consult 
  • The ministry continued to address Ontario’s outstanding legal obligations on land claims and land-related disputes with Indigenous people with the goal of achieving lasting settlements through negotiation process, which in 2022-23 included:
    • Delivering $12.6 million in funding through the Support for Community Negotiations Fund to support Indigenous communities’ meaningful participation in the negotiations process.
    • On behalf of the province, signed Flooding Claim Settlements with 8 First Nation communities, while also finalizing settlement agreement with another First Nation community.
    • On behalf of the province, signed two Treaty Land Entitlement Claim Settlement Agreements.
    • Accepted the Nipissing First Nation boundary claim for negotiation and accomplished the first key milestone of signing a protocol agreement that outlines the First Nation Boundary Claim negotiation process.
    • Recommended the approval and signing of four Orders-in-Council for two Treaty Land Entitlement Claim Settlement Agreements, one Final Agreement and one Lands and Larger Base Final Agreement.
    • Support the signing of an out-of-court settlement agreement releasing Ontario from any claims related to the specified portion of land that will be transferred to Canada to set as reserve.
    • Obtained a revised negotiation mandate for a joint Treaty Land Entitlement Claim to allow for greater flexibility to address divisive issues.

Part II: 2023–24 detailed financials

Ministry summary information

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ (IAO) mandate is to: lead strategic Indigenous policy for Ontario by coordinating cross-government initiatives that improve outcomes for Indigenous people; lead provincial negotiations of Indigenous land claims; and support economic and community development for Indigenous partners.

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.

On behalf of Ontario, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is responsible for settling land and land-related claims brought against the province. As the ministry does not receive a budget allocation for this activity, there may be significant variances between the ministry’s estimated versus actual expenditures due to the recognition of contingent liabilities associated with these claims or settlement payments that occurred over the course of the fiscal year. For this reason, Actuals 2020-21 and 2021-22 are significantly higher when compared to Estimates 2022-23 and 2023-24.

For Estimates 2023-24, the ministry has a budget that is 13% greater than 2022-23 mainly due to an additional $10.1 million in funding for investigations of burial sites at former Indian Residential Schools (IRS) across the province and a commitment of $15 million for IRS related mental health and trauma support.

Note: * Including Statutory Appropriations
** Percentage of ministry total excludes Recoveries

Note: ** Percentage of ministry total excludes Recoveries

Note: * Total Operating Expense includes Statutory Appropriations and total operating expense to be voted

Vote summary information

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs — Vote 2001

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ (IAO) mandate is to: lead strategic Indigenous policy for Ontario by coordinating cross-government initiatives that improve outcomes for Indigenous people; lead provincial negotiations of Indigenous land claims; and support economic and community development for Indigenous partners.

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances

Item/sub-term summary information

Table C1: Comparative Details - Operating Expense

Vote/Item: 2001 - 01
Vote: Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
Item: Indigenous Affairs
Type: Operating Expense

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.

Table C2: Comparative Details - Operating Expense

Vote/Item: 2001 - 04
Vote: Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
Item: Ministry Administration
Type: Operating Expense

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances

Table C3: Comparative Details - Operating Expense

Vote/item: 2001 - 02
Vote: Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
Item: Land Claims and Self-Government Initiatives
Type: Operating Expense

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.

Table C4: Comparative Details - Capital Expense
Vote/Item: 2001 - 03
Vote: Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
Item: Indigenous Affairs Capital Program
Type: Capital Expense

Note: * Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2022-23 Third Quarter Finances.