Closing the First Nations Infrastructure and Housing Gap

Press Release

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) collaborated with industry experts and over 400 First Nations to co-develop a landmark report with Indigenous Services Canada titled “Closing the Infrastructure Gap by 2030: A Collaborative and Comprehensive Cost Estimate Identifying the Infrastructure Investment Needs of First Nations in Canada“.

This unique and groundbreaking report estimates the national capital and operational investments needed from the Government of Canada to fulfill its mandate to Close the First Nation Infrastructure Gap by 2030.

From 2020 to 2030, the population of First Nations people on-reserve is expected to grow at an average rate of 1.7% per year compared with only 1% for the rest of Canada.

This growth requires immediate investments, upgrades and long-term planning of community building, utilities, transportation, and housing infrastructure to ensure First Nations communities can thrive.

The Report estimates that based on the Government of Canada’s Budget 2021 commitments, First Nations are only being funded 23% of their educational capital needs.

202 First Nations schools are overcrowded and require additions; 56 First Nations schools require immediate replacement based on reported poor conditions.

Closing the Gap will help reduce the impacts of colonialism and improve First Nation communities.

Closing the infrastructure gap in First Nations communities is key to fostering sustainable economic growth, enhancing social outcomes and building stronger, healthier communities for all.

This report quantifies the capital and operational investments needed for the government to fulfill their public — and federally mandated — commitments to First Nations:

• To bring comparable community infrastructure — $208.9 billion
• To address the housing and overcrowding crisis — $135.1 billion
• To make high-speed internet available to 457 communities — $5.2 billion ¹

This economic investment can generate approximately 150,000 jobs in its first year, benefiting both the First Nations and non-First Nations private sectors. It will also unlock First Nations’ potential to create new trade corridors and commerce centres that will transform this country’s economic landscape.

¹ Please note that all estimates are accurate as of November 2023, and are subject to inflationary changes

“At its core, Bell Canada is an infrastructure builder. We recognize the critical role leading-edge fibre optic and cellular networks play in economic development, education, healthcare and the preservation and promotion of Indigenous heritage and culture.

Bell fully supports the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) goal of closing the digital infrastructure gap in First Nation communities. Extending quality, high-speed digital infrastructure into First Nation communities is key to fulfilling our collective goals of equity, inclusion, and reconciliation. But, to close this gap, we need stable, long-term public policy that enables private sector investment in networks.

We look forward to working with the AFN and, together with the AFN, call upon all levels of government to support continued investment to advance how First Nations across Canada connect with each other and the world.”

— Robert Malcolmson, EVP & Chief Legal Regulatory Officer, Bell Canada

Assembly of First Nations
50 O’Connor Street, Suite 200
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2

Tel: +1 (613) 241-6789
Toll-free: +1 (866) 869-6789
Fax: +1 (613) 241-5808

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