FMB is excited to announce the release of Chapter 3 of the RoadMap – Closing the Infrastructure Gap

FMB is excited to announce the release of Chapter 3 of the
RoadMap – Closing the Infrastructure Gap

July 26, 2022

VANCOUVER-FMB is excited to announce the release of Chapter 3 of the Road Map – Closing The Infrastructure Gap

The government of Canada faces the staggering challenge of an estimated $30 billion First Nations infrastructure gap – the projected cost of having infrastructure in First Nations communities up to the same levels as non-Indigenous communities. Not only is the current First Nations infrastructure gap unacceptable, but it is likely to become even more severe in future.

This infrastructure gap contributes to the economic, social, health, and education disparities between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Canada. It has also created significant liabilities for the federal government. Without institutional support it currently takes five times longer for an Indigenous infrastructure project to become shovel ready, compared to provincial systems.

The First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) institutions are presenting solutions to address this gap. Chapter 3 of the Road Map – Closing The Infrastructure Gap proposes: the creation of the FMA institution’s First Nations Infrastructure Institute (FNII); support for legislative changes and institutions that promote First Nations’ capacity to manage lands; the monetization of federal transfers, increased fiscal powers, and own-source revenue to create new pathways for infrastructure financing.

“The creation of the FNII would build on the success of the FMA as an optional First Nation-led initiative. It would also provide more tools and capacity development support for First Nation communities and organizations as they work to meet their infrastructure needs,” says Harold Calla, Executive Chair, First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB). “FNII will also provide as a centre of excellence to increase Indigenous capacity and skills in infrastructure management.”

Chapter 3 of the Road Map Project contains further solutions to help address the infrastructure gap. For example, the First Nations Lands Advisory Board is piloting Land Code enforcement models. The Government of Canada should be prepared to support this pilot and implement the lessons learned at scale. Further, the Government of Canada can build on the promise of FNII by providing risk-managed opportunities to monetize federal transfers to finance infrastructure over the lifespan of the assets.

“The FMA institutions will support First Nation governments to overcome this gap through Indigenous led solutions,” says Geordie Hungerford, CEO, FMB. “First Nation governments need access to the same types of tools that other jurisdictions use to address their infrastructure assets.”

We invite First Nations governments, Indigenous organizations, and the Government of Canada to join us in working to bridge the infrastructure gap through the creation of FNII. This will result in the long-term health and well-being of First Nation communities.

Helpful Links:
Chapter 3 of the Road Map – Closing The Infrastructure Gap
Chapter 2 of the Road Map – Closing the Economic Data and Statistics Gap
Chapter 1 Introduction – Creating Paths For Indigenous Prosperity

About the FMB
The FMB is a First Nations-led non-profit organization that supports First Nations in developing sound finance and administrative governance practices. The FMB was created under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act in 2006. Services are optional and offered at no cost to First Nations. For more information on all products and services, visit www.fnfmb.com

About the Road Map Project
Road Map Project will create new, optional paths for First Nations as they move from managing poverty to creating wealth.

It is about developing a practical and optional framework that advances Indigenous economic reconciliation, consistent with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Road Map offers realistic and implementable options to empower First Nations governments to move past the failed one-size-fits-all approach, and will support the implementation of UNDRIP through Indigenous-led initiatives. Over 2022, a series of policy chapters will be released by the Road Map Project to provide the details on how this framework will work.

The First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) institutions – the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), the First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC), and the First Nation Finance Authority (FNFA) – are the driving force behind this project.

Media Contacts:
Jollean Willington
Communications Manager
First Nations Financial Management Board
O 604-925-6665 ext 260
C 604-349-1149
Jollean_Willington@fnfmb.com