Work we did before the release of the national action plan
This page lists the work the Government of Canada did from 2015 to June 3, 2021, to support our commitment to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people. The work is categorized by the 4 themes identified in the national inquiry's final report. The federal component of the national action plan follows these themes below.
On this page
Culture
- Budget 2017 and 2021: Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has received $14.9 million in 2017 and again in 2021 to support Indigenous communities to preserve culture and language recordings and to increase access to Indigenous-related content in LAC's collection. This led to the creation of two Indigenous Documentary Heritage Initiatives: We Are Here: Sharing Stories and Listen, Hear Our Voices.
- From 2017 to 2019: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) renewed and expanded the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, established new Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary education strategies and engaged with First Nations to develop regional post-secondary strategies.
- From 2019 to present: The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund provided funding to build stronger capacity and networks of 2SLGBTQQIA+ community organizations and advance 2SLGBTQQIA+ equality across Canada.
- From 2019 to present: Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) funded the 2 Spirits in Motion Society to expand and grow its capacity by promoting collaborative ideas and sharing among Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and organizations through enhanced governance, networking, collaboration, and advocacy measures.
- 2019: The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commemoration Fund invested $13 million to support Indigenous governments and organizations to work with families, survivors and communities to develop and implement commemoration initiatives to honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
- 2019: WAGE funded the 2 Spirits in Motion Foundation to expand and grow its capacity for services and advocacy by promoting collaborative ideas and sharing among Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and organizations. This contribution is also helping develop a strategic plan to disburse micro grants to strengthen local and regional Two Spirit organizations in Canada.
- Budget 2019: provided $333.7 million over 5 years beginning in 2019-2020 and $115.7 million ongoing, to support Indigenous language revitalization efforts and the creation of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
- April 2019: ISC launched a new policy and funding approach for First Nations kindergarten to grade 12 education developed with the Assembly of First Nations. This new approach supports First Nations control of First Nations education and ensures more predictable and sufficient funding. It ensures base funding is comparable to provincial systems across the country while working towards funding agreements that account for factors such as remoteness, school size, language and socio-economic conditions. It provides First Nations schools with $1,500 per student, per year, to support language and culture programming.
- June 21, 2019: The Indigenous Languages Act received Royal Assent. It was developed with Indigenous peoples and supports the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada. The Act recognizes that the rights of Indigenous peoples include Indigenous language rights.
- 2019 to 2020: the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund invested in the development of the Chesterfield Inlet Community Cultural Interpretative Centre, in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. The centre was constructed by the Kivalliq Inuit Association and serves as a gathering place for Inuit to express, preserve, celebrate and share their culture across generations and with visitors.
- 2020 to 2021: The Canada Arts Training Fund invested in the Qaggiq School of Performing Arts, an Inuit professional arts training school. The Canada Arts Training Fund also co-developed a multi-year initiative to better attract and retain Indigenous professional arts students.
- October 2020: the Anti-Racism Action Program committed $3.3M to support 19 projects focused on addressing systemic barriers to employment, justice and social participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This included $206,970 to the Vancouver-based Justice for Girls Outreach Society for the project "Addressing Barriers to Enhance Access to Employment, Leadership Training, Supports, Resources and Justice for Indigenous Young Women and Teenage Girls."
Health and wellness
- July 2016 and March 31, 2022: more than 1.42 million products, services and supports were approved under Jordan's Principle. These included speech therapy, educational supports, medical equipment, mental health services and more.
- Budget 2017: The Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples received $118.5 million over 5 years to fund organizations and projects that support urban Indigenous peoples, this included projects that support women such as transitioning out of shelters and community wellness projects.
- From 2017 to 2021: ISC supported access to mental health counselling, emotional support, community-based cultural support services and assistance with transportation costs for survivors, family members and those affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
- Since 2018 : ISC continued to support access to:
- community based cultural support, such as Elders and Traditional Healers
- emotional support such as, Indigenous health workers and peer counsellors)
- mental health counselling services, such as psychologists, social workers for Survivors, family members and others affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
- 2019 to 2020: ISC more than doubled funding to child and family services agencies, through the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, from $681 million in 2015 to 2016 to $1.7 billion. This funding supports family needs and ensures children stay with their families and communities.
- January 1, 2020: New legislation to reduce the number of Indigenous children in care came into effect; the legislation was co-developed with Indigenous peoples, provinces and territories. This work was completed as part of an ongoing commitment to reform the Indigenous child and family services system, with goals that are in line with many of the Calls for Justice outlined in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- March 2020: the Government of Canada created the Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs related to COVID-19 in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
- January 2021: the Government of Canada launched distinctions-based engagements with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to determine the path towards co-developing legislative options, the first step in meeting our commitment to co-develop a new distinctions-based health legislation that will improve Indigenous access to high-quality, culturally relevant health services.
- Budget 2021: the Government of Canada committed to provide $126.7 million over 3 years to take action to foster health systems free from racism and discrimination where Indigenous peoples are respected and safe. This included $33.3 million to improve access to culturally safe services, with a focus on services for Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups who may experience intersecting discrimination.
- Since 2016 : The Hope for Wellness Help Line provides 24/7 emotional support and referral services to all Indigenous people in Canada. Trained counsellors can be reached by telephone at 1-855-242-3310 or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca. Services are available in English and French and, upon request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. A national, toll free support line is available to provide emotional support and referrals to any person impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The MMIWG crisis line can be reached 24/7 at 1-844-413-6649
Human security and safety
- Since 2015: Women and Gender Equality Canada provides funding to more than 500 projects in every province and territory to prevent, address and work toward ending gender-based violence.
- Announced in June 2017, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (the federal GBV Strategy) is the Government of Canada’s response to gender-based violence. The Government of Canada is funding Indigenous organizations through the federal GBV Strategy to advance actions to address and work toward ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Since 2015, WAGE has invested more than $147 million in over 352 projects to support Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGTBTQQIA+ individuals.
- December 2018: Chiefs-in-Assembly endorsed The First Nations National Housing and Related Infrastructure Strategy that was co-developed by Indigenous and federal partners. The strategy sets a plan forward to increase the care, control and management of housing and related infrastructure programs and services to First Nations. Budget 2018 also provided an additional $600 million over 3 years in new funding to support new construction, renovations, lot servicing and capacity building projects in First Nation communities.
- Budget 2018: invested $14.51 million over 5 years and $2.89 million per year ongoing announced in to establish the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline which was launched in May 2019 by the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. This non-government organization provides a multi-lingual and confidential service that is operational 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Budget 2018: $327.6 million over 5 years, starting in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, for a multi-pronged approach to tackle gun and gang activity in Canada. Just over $214 million over 5 years is being provided to provinces and territories to support priority areas and fund tailored initiatives in communities to bolster prevention, gang exit, outreach and awareness programming, and enhance intelligence sharing, and law enforcement capacity to combat gun and gang violence. The remaining funding is provided to the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency to support investigations and gather intelligence on the criminal use of firearms and to help stem the flow of illegal firearms from entering Canada at vulnerable points of entry.
- 2018: Through the Canada-Native Women's Association of Canada Accord, Canada and the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) are working together to identify joint priorities and co-develop policy, programs and legislation to include the distinct perspectives of Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. To support the implementation of this accord, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada contributed $7.3 million over 3 years. Each year of funding identified $1.2 million to be allocated to NWAC's provincial and territorial affiliate members to support increasing the capacity of grassroots organizations.
- Since 2018: Enhanced funding is being provided to Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO). This funding empower Métis women to support increased organizational capacity and ensure that LFMO participates in the development of programs, policies and legislation. The goal is that Métis women's voices are heard, Métis women's social and economic conditions improve and Métis women are included in policy development. LFMO has been able to engage Métis women in an annual policy forum that has led to the development of a Métis Gender-Based Analysis+ toolkit and a 5 year strategic plan, and supported the representation of Métis women's perspectives nationally and internationally.
- 2018: As part of the National Housing Strategy, the $13.2 billion National Housing Co-investment Fund supports new construction, repair and renewal of affordable housing, shelters and transitional housing. It promotes mixed-income and mixed-use housing that is well-located and creates safe and inclusive communities. It prioritizes housing for vulnerable populations, including Indigenous peoples and women fleeing domestic violence. The fund will help to build and maintain at least 4,000 shelter spaces across the country for survivors of domestic violence.
- May, 2018: The Indigenous Women's Circle was established to engage with First Nations, Inuit and Métis women leaders and experts in the public and private sectors on the challenges they face and their priorities for the Government of Canada related to advancing gender equality.
- July 2018: The Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord was signed by the Government of Canada and the Governing Members of the Métis National Council. The Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord is funded from Budget 2018, with $500 million over 10 years for Métis Nation.
- April 2019: The Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy was released. It is helping guide Government of Canada's direct investments in Inuit housing of $400 million over 10 years, announced in Budget 2018, for the 3 Inuit regions of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavik (Québec) and Nunatsiavut (Northwest Territories). Direct investments are supporting housing development based on Inuit, self-determined needs.
- September 2019: the Government of Canada announced an investment of $57.22 million over 5 years, starting in 2019-20, and $10.28 million ongoing, in new federal funding to combat human trafficking under a National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking
- 2019: The National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence received core funding for 3 years, through ISC’s Family Violence Prevention Program to act as a national coordinator and support First Nations shelters and their staff through training forums, prevention activities, research and collaboration with key partners.
- May 2020: the Government committed $44.8 million over five years through CMHC to fund the construction of 12 new shelters, which will help protect and support Indigenous women and girls experiencing and fleeing violence. This funding will help build 10 shelters in First Nations communities on reserves across the country, and 2 in the territories, to support Indigenous women and children. The government will also provide $40.8 million through ISC to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and $10.2 million annually ongoing.
- 2020 Fall Economic Statement: The Government of Canada committed $147 million, in addition to $100 million to support shelters and sexual assault centres. This includes funding to support ISC's network of 46 First Nations emergency shelters on reserve and in Yukon and funding to support organizations providing services related to gender-based violence to Indigenous peoples off-reserve.
- January 2021: the Government of Canada and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada signed a renewal of the Canada–Pauktuutit Memorandum of Understanding. Funding was announced to build and operate new shelters to further address the issues that directly affect the well-being and safety of Inuit women and children across Canada.
- January, 2021: The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers for the Status of Women endorsed the Joint Declaration for a Canada free of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), representing an important step in developing a National Action Plan (NAP) to end GBV in Canada. The NAP will touch upon all at -risk populations, including Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people through a dedicated Indigenous-led approaches pillar, in recognition of the importance of preventing and addressing GBV in Indigenous communities. The GBV NAP will align with the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
- 2020 to 2021: As a result of a joint call for proposals the Government of Canada announced $22.4 million over four years for 63 organizations, for projects focused on providing support services for victims and survivors. Of this, Public Safety Canada provided $5.12 million in funding over four years to 14 human trafficking projects through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime. Eleven of these organizations are Indigenous-led or provide support to Indigenous populations.
Justice
- Since 2016: Family Information Liaison Units have been available in every province and territory. They are delivered in collaboration with provinces and territories through victim services and Indigenous community organizations, to help families access available information about their missing and murdered loved ones from multiple government sources. As well, funding has been provided for culturally-responsive and trauma-informed community-based services for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
- December 2018: the government strengthened sexual assault laws in the Criminal Code, directly responding to Calls for Justice 5.17 to 5.19, including clarifying:
- the circumstances where consent cannot be obtained and where the defence of mistaken belief in consent will not available to an accused
- the rules for the admissibility of certain types of evidence
- that the complainant is entitled to be represented by legal counsel at proceedings in relation to the admissibility of certain types of evidence
- June 2018: The Government of Canada announced $9.6 million over 5 years to support the establishment of the RCMP's National Office of Investigative Standards and Practices. This unit provides national expertise and oversight on major case investigations. It has dedicated resources to support work related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The office has taken a lead role in creating and updating national training initiatives, increasing the prospect of successful investigations and criminal prosecutions within RCMP jurisdictions.
- 2018: The Government of Canada announced up to $291.2 million over 5 years, for professional, dedicated and culturally responsive policing services in First Nation and Inuit communities under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
- 2019 to 2020: The RCMP has taken steps to attract Indigenous applicants, deliver new training, strengthen investigations, and collaborate and consult with Indigenous leaders and Elders. This includes both drive-in and fly-in models for policing in northern Manitoba that provide a full-time RCMP presence in remote communities.
- Budget 2019: The Government of Canada launched a fund of $10 million over 5 years to support projects that contribute to the revitalization of Indigenous legal traditions and laws, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #50. This also contributes to addressing Call for Justice 2.1 in respecting and recognizing the Indigenous right to culture and language.
- June 21, 2019: An Act to amend the Divorce Act, the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act and the Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act (Bill C-78) received Royal Assent. The Bill made amendments to the Divorce Act that now require courts to consider family violence during divorce proceedings.
- December 2019: An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (formerly Bill C-75) fully came into effect and implemented several measures to strengthen the criminal justice system's response to protect victims of intimate partner violence and human trafficking, including a number of provisions specifically aimed at protecting Indigenous women. This helps respond to Calls for Justice 5.17 to 5.19.
- February 2020 and January 2021: As part of It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, the RCMP developed 2 courses for RCMP employees on how to use a trauma-informed approach when conducting investigations, and helping employees better understand the impacts of culture and personal identity on actions, perceptions, interactions and experiences. Trauma informed approach was launched in February 2020. Cultural awareness and humility was launched in January 2021. The training was developed in consultation with external experts in the fields of trauma and gender-based violence, an advisory council of Indigenous elders and government stakeholders.
- July 15, 2020: The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and Statistics Canada announced they will work with the policing community and key organizations to enable police to report statistics on Indigenous and racialized groups in police-reported crime statistics on victims and accused persons.
- Between July 2020 and June 2021, Statistics Canada worked with various partners to develop an engagement and outreach process to seek feedback on the collection of Indigenous and racialized identity data through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) survey. This engagement process included people from diverse perspectives, including community organizations, academics, police services, the public and other stakeholders at the national, provincial, territorial, municipal and local government levels.
- October 2020: The RCMP initiated a project to explore the collection of race-based data on police interactions with the public. The project will align with the data standards established through the collaboration with Statistics Canada and the CACP.
- November 2020: The Government of Canada provided funding for restorative justice initiatives across the country, including those supporting Indigenous communities and youth. Of the total funding, $5 million went to research, awareness raising and education activities, including capacity-building training and pilot projects. In addition, over 40 Indigenous organizations received additional support of approximately $500,000 in total to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on restorative justice initiatives in their communities.
- December 3, 2020: The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Introducing legislation to advance full implementation of the declaration is a key step in renewing the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples.
- March 31, 2021: The Department of Justice Canada made seven factsheets on victims’ rights available in 12 Indigenous languages (Atikamekw, Dene, Denesuline, Inuktitut, Micmac, Montagnais, North Slavey, Oji Cree, Ojibway, Plains Cree, Western Swampy Cree, and Woods Cree).
- Budget 2021: Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $24.2 million over 3 years to support engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations on the development of legislation and initiatives that address systemic barriers in the criminal justice system, including collaboration on an Indigenous Justice Strategy.
- Budget 2021: Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $27.1 million over 3 years, through Justice Canada’s Indigenous Courtwork Program and Indigenous Justice Program, to help Indigenous families navigate the family justice system and access community-based family mediation services.
- Budget 2021: Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $18 million over 5 years, and $4 million ongoing to revive the Law Commission of Canada to support, among other things, the work to address these systemic barriers. The Commission will provide independent expertise working to ensure that Canada’s legal system is responsive to complex challenges, such as barriers to justice for Indigenous peoples and racialized communities.
- Budget 2021: Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $6.7 million over 5 years and an ongoing annual investment of $1.4 million to improve the collection and use of data. This is part of ongoing efforts to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and racialized groups in the justice system. This investment will support the use of advanced analytics so that we can better tailor interventions and improve social outcomes for different groups of people. Having a better understanding of those who interact with the justice system will support the Government’s efforts to ensure that more people get the help they need when and where they need it.
- 2021: The Government of Canada announced $43.7 million over 5 years to co-develop a legislative framework for First Nations policing that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service. On March 21, 2022, the Government of Canada launched its engagement process to help inform the co-development of federal First Nations police services legislation.
- 2021: The Government of Canada announced $540.3 million over 5 years, beginning in 2021-2022, and $126.8 million ongoing, to support Indigenous communities currently served under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and expand the program to include more Indigenous communities.