This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning Indigenous communities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, reserve lands, traditional territories, treaty rights and implementations, self-determination, truth and reconciliation, impact benefit agreements and boil water advisories on reserves. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Indigenous Affairs? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Social Issues and Environment. Also consider subscribing to our Indigenous Affairs - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons INAN Committee: Bill S-228 (Sterilization Procedures): The Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee will hold hearings on Bill S-228, amending the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures, on March 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Witnesses include Hon. Yvonne Boyer, Jamie Schmale, medical and advocacy representatives, and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
• House of Commons SECU Committee: Review of Supplementary Estimates (C) for 2025-26 Impacting Indigenous Services: On March 24, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Public Safety and National Security committee will review multiple votes, including those for the Correctional Service of Canada and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with Minister Gary Anandasangaree and senior officials appearing as witnesses.
• House of Commons FOPO Committee: Traditional and Recreational Softshell Clam Fishing – Indigenous Participation: On March 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will study traditional and recreational fishing for softshell clams, with participation from Mi’gmaq Wolastoqey Indigenous Fisheries Management Association and other experts.
• Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Government Response on Truth and Reconciliation: On March 25 at 6:45 p.m., the Senate committee will examine and report on the government’s response to its report on residential schools and reconciliation, with testimony from Assembly of First Nations and residential school advisory experts.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry: Impact of Wildfires on Indigenous and Rural Communities: A session on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. (in camera) will discuss the growing issue of wildfires and effects on agriculture, forestry, and Indigenous and rural communities as part of a draft report.

Federal Government News

CRTC Opens Indigenous Stream for Broadband Fund to Improve Internet Access

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has initiated the development of a dedicated Indigenous stream under the Broadband Fund. The new application process aims to address barriers faced by Indigenous communities when securing high-speed Internet and cellphone service funding, including simplified reporting and upfront funding for Indigenous-led projects. Since its introduction, the Broadband Fund has connected 135 Indigenous communities. The CRTC's ongoing consultation, open until September 18, 2026, incorporates feedback from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations, with a draft process to be circulated for final comments before launch. As per the 2024 CRTC Facilities Survey, only 65.7% of households on First Nations reserves and 69.6% across the Territories have access to high-quality Internet, compared to 96.4% of households nationally. Interested parties can comment via online submission, written correspondence, or oral interventions.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Government Invests $17.2 Million to Support Indigenous Broadcasting in the North

On March 20, Minister Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, announced the allocation of $17.2 million over two years for Indigenous audio and video content production through the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Indigenous Languages Program. Among the recipients, the Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories will receive $872,262 to support broadcasting in Dene languages on CKLB 101.9 FM. This funding expands the production of news, weather, and culturally relevant programming, supporting the preservation of Indigenous languages and stories.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Provides $4.8 Million for Indigenous Language Revitalization in Northwest Territories

The Government of Canada, through Canadian Heritage, has committed $4.8 million in new funding for five Indigenous language revitalization projects in the Northwest Territories via the Indigenous Languages Program’s First Nations Call for Applications 2025–2026. Minister Marc Miller met with community organizations in Yellowknife on March 20 to announce the support. This investment forms part of the federal commitment—over $1.4 billion from 2019–20 to 2028–29—for the Indigenous Languages Act and related initiatives, including the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support Announced for Indigenous Women’s Reintegration Initiatives

Announced on March 20, the Thunder Women Healing Lodge Society will receive $4.7 million over five years under the Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program. Ministers Evan Solomon and Gary Anandasangaree stated the Maashkaawizii Kwe "Woman of Inner Strength" project will operate in Toronto, supporting Indigenous women reintegrating after incarceration. The initiative provides accommodation, culturally appropriate counseling, and skill-building workshops that integrate elements of the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism, adapted to Indigenous cultural contexts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Targets Indigenous and Northern Women Entrepreneurs

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) announced up to $1.8 million over three years for Ampere—the Pinnguaq Association's new iteration—to deliver the Northern Horizons entrepreneurship program. Minister Rebecca Chartrand, on March 18, detailed that up to 1,200 Indigenous and northern women across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon will receive digital and entrepreneurship training. The program aims to facilitate 30 new business launches and improve employment outcomes among participants, of whom 80% are expected to be Indigenous.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding of $6 Million Advances Indigenous Tourism Infrastructure and Experiences

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, announced $6 million in new funding for the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream under Budget 2025. Funds will support construction and expansion projects in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, including a new Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, airport franchise expansion of Restaurant Sagamité in Quebec, new welcome centre for Six Nations of the Grand River, and upgrades at Enoch Cree Nation and Spo7ez Cultural Centre. The projects are intended to expand tourism capacity, enhance visitor experiences, and support economic opportunities in Indigenous communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Elder Sheila De Corte Receives 2025 Canadian River Heritage Award

Elder Sheila De Corte was awarded the 2025 Canadian River Heritage Award for her dedication to water stewardship and cultural education. Her work includes founding 'For the Love of the Rivers' and organizing ceremonial water walks that promote ecological and cultural awareness. The award, presented by the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and the Canadian Canoe Museum, recognizes De Corte’s efforts to involve youth and schools in water stewardship and showcases Indigenous leadership in environmental advocacy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Commits $34 Million to Strengthen Indigenous Health through Budget 2026

Alberta's government announced over $34 million for primary care programs targeting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations, including compensation for more than 95 physicians, patient navigators, Indigenous-led prevention, and early detection initiatives such as cancer screening and virtual diabetes care.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Supports Indigenous Infant Care with New Funding

The Manitoba government has allocated $300,000 to Harvest Manitoba’s First Steps Infant Care Program, supporting Indigenous families and delivering essential infant nutrition and care items to up to 2,000 babies monthly, including outreach to remote communities.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Quebec Budget Introduces New Loan Guarantee Fund to Enhance Indigenous Participation in Major Projects

Quebec’s 2026-2027 budget provides for a $500 million fund delivering loan guarantees to enable Indigenous communities’ financial participation in strategic economic projects, alongside $1.7 billion in broader economic transformation initiatives.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Impacts of Indigenous identity defamation decision open to debate: Media covers debate surrounding repercussions of a recent court decision on Indigenous identity defamation.
• New Indigenous bison seminar aims to help Prairie First Nations successfully sustain reintegration: Seminar in the Prairies discusses sustainable bison reintegration for First Nations.
• Alberta promises primary care access funding for Indigenous communities: Alberta government announces new funding for Indigenous primary care programs.
• New Brunswick First Nation asks Supreme Court to hear case on Aboriginal title, private land: Wolastoqey First Nation seeks Supreme Court hearing to address Aboriginal title over private lands.
• Ottawa announces $17M for production and broadcasting of Indigenous content: National media report examines recent federal broadcast funding for Indigenous content.
• Alberta’s 'Peterson law' leads lawyers' regulator to stop mandating Indigenous education course: Alberta Law Society suspends requirement for Indigenous education in response to provincial legislation.
• Why it could take years to trace the Indigenous artifacts returned by the Vatican: Analysis of the challenges facing artifact repatriation after Vatican returns items to Canada.
• Indigenous identity researcher loses defamation case in Sask.: Reporting on the Saskatchewan defamation case outcome involving Indigenous identity claims.
• 'From Oil to Energy Justice: A Community Conversation to Build an Equitable Energy Transition': Interview and community discussion addresses energy transition in the context of Indigenous equity.

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