“As First Nations, we have always been builders, and if Canada truly wants to be strong, it must be built on partnership—with our Nations leading the way.”
– Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is responding to the federal government’s Canada Strong Budget 2025, tabled by Prime Minister Mark Carney on
November 4, 2025.
“We acknowledge and appreciate that this budget touches on Indigenous housing, infrastructure, and economic participation,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Our Nations need real, immediate action to address inadequate housing, gaps in health care, and limited opportunities within our communities. Canada must move beyond promises and work with us to improve the lives of our Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens.”
Budget 2025 projects a $78.3 billion deficit while promising over $280 billion in new capital investments over five years. The government has paired this with a Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) that will cut $60 billion in operational spending, including $494 million annually from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and $69 million from Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) starting in 2026–27.
The budget includes funding announcements for Indigenous communities including $2.8 billion for housing in urban, rural, and northern Indigenous communities. It also promises $2.3 billion over 3 years, starting in 2026, to renew the First Nations Water and Wastewater Enhanced Program. In addition, the government plans to increase the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Indigenous Fund from $1 billion to $3 billion to support infrastructure projects.
The government also plans to explore new financing tools for First Nations infrastructure and to develop a cross-government Indigenous Housing Strategy, led by the new Build Canada Homes Agency. Unfortunately, these announcements mostly repeat earlier promises and lack immediate action or dedicated funding for on-reserve housing, where needs are most severe.
“Every year we hear billions are being ‘confirmed’ or ‘targeted,’ but our citizens continue to live in overcrowded, unsafe, and inadequate homes,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “The housing crisis in First Nations demands urgent, shovel-ready investment, not recycled promises.”
While the Budget highlights investments in housing and infrastructure, it provides little clarity on how those funds will reach First Nations communities or support Indigenous-led solutions. SCO’s own projects, such as Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, show the potential of First Nation-led, Nation-designed solutions that integrate housing, culture, and First-Nation entrepreneurship in one transformative space. SCO is calling for priority investment in affordable and sustainable housing both on-reserve and in urban centres.
SCO is also deeply concerned by the lack of investment in First Nations health care. While the budget highlights support for northern and Arctic health services, it fails to address the severe gaps in care for southern First Nations, where many citizens still struggle to access culturally safe and equitable health services.
“A so-called ‘transformative’ budget cannot ignore the health needs of southern First Nations,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “A 15 per cent cut to Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will only make it harder for our citizens to access care. True transformation means supporting First Nations-controlled health systems, not leaving us behind once again.”
The government’s decision to limit Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada budget reductions to 2 per cent—compared to 15 per cent for most departments—acknowledges the need to protect essential services. However, the government did not include any new investments in health, child and family services, or core community infrastructure, continuing a troubling pattern of chronic underfunding.
SCO recognizes positive steps toward strengthening Indigenous rights and governance. Budget 2025 includes $10.1 million over three years for Indigenous-led consultation resource centres; $40 million over 2 years to support capacity building for Nation-building projects, and commitments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including free, prior, and informed consent. While these are important, SCO emphasizes that meaningful reconciliation requires more than administrative funding—it requires real power-sharing and sustained investment.
SCO also notes the budget’s focus on Indigenous economic participation through measures like the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which is being doubled to $10 billion. While these tools may help larger First Nations or projects, there is no clear support for small and medium-sized First Nations-owned businesses—especially in Manitoba.
“When local Indigenous businesses are left out of federal contracts, our Nations lose out on jobs, training, and opportunities,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “Economic reconciliation means creating space for our people to lead and succeed in their own territories.”
SCO is disappointed that few federal contracts go to First Nations-owned businesses in Manitoba, with most under the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business continuing to benefit large firms in the Ottawa area rather than an inclusive nation-wide First Nation procurement target.
Making the National School Food Program permanent is a welcome portion of the budget, with proposed annual funding of $216.6 million starting in 2029–30. This program can help more children access healthy meals at school. However, food security is just one part of what’s needed to improve overall health in First Nations.
Despite the lack of strong commitments in this year’s budget, SCO remains committed to working in partnership with the federal government.
“Budget 2025 may be branded as ‘Building Canada Strong,’ but true strength comes from partnership,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “We need a federal government that is ready to truly listen, invest, and act in partnership with us—for our youth, our Elders, and the future of our First Nations. As First Nations, we have always been builders, and if Canada truly wants to be strong, it must be built on partnership—with our Nations leading the way.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca