Housing and infrastructure service delivery transfer

What we are doing

Since 2017, ISC has supported First Nations partners in developing solutions from the ground up to advance our shared goal of transferring the responsibility for housing and community infrastructure programs to First Nations organizations.

First Nations design service delivery models that meet the needs of rights holders while recognizing and implementing their inherent right to self-determination.

Creating new models for First Nations service delivery

ISC and mandated First Nation-led organizations are in the process of determining new models for the delivery of housing and infrastructure service that meet the diverse needs, priorities and approaches of rights-holders.

ISC support for engagements with communities, operators and leadership helps further to develop and refine these new service delivery models. All models are opt-in and must be supported by leadership. Engagements guide the development of the group or organization and ultimately provides the foundation for First Nations care and control of housing and infrastructure service delivery.

Based on the needs identified through these engagements, First Nations organizations will continue to refine and finalize the scope of services they will be responsible for delivering.

The process will be marked through milestone agreements such as a:

• framework agreement
• agreement in principle or draft service delivery transfer agreement
• final service delivery transfer agreement

Service transfer is an ongoing process with multiple stages, and requires approval and endorsement from First Nations leadership and ISC.

Funding for transfer initiatives

Since 2017 the Government of Canada has provided $108.89 million until 2025 to 2026 to support engagement, capacity and organizational development related to transferring housing and infrastructure services.

Funding Eligibility Requirements:

• Mandate from regional leadership or First Nations communities to demonstrate the support of rightsholders to explore or continue this work
• Serve a group of communities, as this will ensure possible economy of scale for the organization and confirm levels of interest
• Initial scope of infrastructure service delivery, which will serve as the starting point for engagement with communities, technical experts and leadership. The scope will be refined throughout the engagement process

To learn more about the eligibility for ISC Infrastructure funding, see section  4.1 of the Capital and Facilities Maintenance Program.

Eligible First Nations organizations can partner with ISC to determine service delivery models for all housing and infrastructure assets on reserve serviced under ISC's existing Capitals and Facilities Maintenance Program:

• water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure
• education facilities
• housing
• solid waste management
• road and bridge construction
• energy system development
• connectivity
• cultural and recreational facility development
• fire protection
• planning and skills development associated with infrastructure management

The Government of Canada is also providing funding to support the implementation of a service delivery transfer agreement with the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA). Budget 2022 announced $173.2 million over 10 years, 2022 to 2023 to 2031 to 2032 to support the AFNWA as it takes control of operating and maintaining water and wastewater systems on reserve in the Atlantic First Nations that choose to participate and have supported the AFNWA throughout its institution building phase.

This long-term, sustainable funding will support the AFNWA in delivering high-quality water and wastewater services to participating First Nations. This will be the first example of an infrastructure service delivery transfer agreement with a First Nations-led professional water utility in Canada.

Transfer initiatives underway

First Nations communities across Canada are already working towards taking responsibility and control of housing, water and other infrastructure services on reserves. As of 2024 partners include:

British Columbia

The First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Council of British Columbia is currently refining its service delivery model through the implementation of asset condition assessments and pilot projects.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council is conducting initial engagements to develop a model for community infrastructure and education facilities.

Alberta

The Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council is engaging and consulting to develop a model for housing and infrastructure service transfer within the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations.

The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is conducting a feasibility study to establish a water authority for their member communities.

The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is conducting initial engagements to develop a model for emergency management.

Saskatchewan

The First Nations Capital and Infrastructure Agency of Saskatchewan signed a framework agreement with ISC in 2021. They are currently working to finalize a detailed service delivery model and business case with the objective of delivering all technical support to Saskatchewan First Nations under housing and infrastructure.

The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Lands Technicians is engaging to develop a service delivery model to provide support on solid waste management with plans to expand to land management more broadly.

The First Nations Technical Services Alliance is conducting initial engagements to develop a model for housing and infrastructure service delivery.

Manitoba

The Southern Chiefs Organization is currently engaging, gathering data and building a service model and scope for their proposed water service delivery model.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is conducting initial engagements, scoping and modelling the development phase for a housing and community infrastructure model.

Ontario

The Chiefs of Ontario is conducting regional engagements to develop service delivery models that can be implemented by groups of Ontario First Nations to transfer the care, control and management of housing and related infrastructure.

Missanabie Cree First Nation is at the early stages of governance development and scope definition. They are looking at a model to deliver and manage emergency response and management services for Ontario First Nations members.

Atlantic region

The Atlantic First Nations Water Authority and the Minister of Indigenous Services signed a historic final service delivery transfer agreement on November 7, 2022, initiating the transfer of responsibility for the operation, maintenance and capital upgrades of all water and wastewater assets in participating First Nations to the AFNWA.

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq signed a Framework Agreement with ISC in 2023 and is developing a business case to deliver housing and infrastructure services, excluding water and wastewater and education to its member communities.

The Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq is conducting initial engagements to develop a model for housing and infrastructure service delivery.

The North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council is in initial scoping and feasibility phase for the development of a water and wastewater delivery hub.

The Atlantic Policy Congress is engaging First Nations across the Atlantic to gather information on housing needs, to develop strategies and service delivery model options to empower communities.

How to get involved

If you have questions about on this page or want to participate in First Nations service transfer, contact us at infrastructuretransfer-transfertinfrastructure@sac-isc.gc.ca.