Engagement Sessions on the New Approach to Fiscal Arrangements with Aboriginal Self-Government

Overview

The Government of Canada is developing a new, national approach to fiscal arrangements with self-governing Aboriginal groups to support delivery of governance, education, social services, land management and other services. The new approach will bring greater consistency, timeliness, transparency and fairness to the process of implementing fiscal arrangements with self-governing Aboriginal groups.

As part of developing the new approach, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) committed to engage with Aboriginal governments and groups negotiating self-government, as well as provincial and territorial governments.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada officials recently completed the first round of the engagement process on this initiative. Meetings were held in Vancouver and Toronto in March, and in Quebec City, Halifax, Yellowknife, Saskatoon and Whitehorse through May and June. There was broad participation across the country with over 160 participants from outside the Department representing 17 Aboriginal self governments, over 50 negotiating groups, six provinces and two territories.

These meetings provided an opportunity for a discussion of the issues and principles that should guide the fiscal arrangements, both from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's perspective and the perspective of Aboriginal groups. The feedback received will provide a solid basis for continuing discussions in support of more transparent fiscal arrangements.

Status

Round 1 of the engagement process is now complete. A second round of engagement sessions is planned for early 2012 with discussions centered on the details of the federal proposal (to be distributed in advance of the sessions).

What information is available?

• Fiscal Arrangements for Aboriginal Self-Government in Canada - Issues & Principles
• Backgrounder on the New Approach to Fiscal Arrangements with Aboriginal Self-Government
• Frequently Asked Questions - A New Approach to Fiscal Arrangements with Aboriginal Self-Government
• Backgrounder - Canada takes action to support progress in the BC Treaty Process