SCO Joins in the Call for Overdue Infrastructure Investments in our Nations

November 29, 2024

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is adding its’ support behind an important report released by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Conference Board of Canada. Benefits for All Canadians: Economic Impact of Closing the Infrastructure Gap, clearly outlines the critical need to address the gap experienced by First Nations when it comes to accessing essential infrastructure.

“This report corroborates what we have been saying for years,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “The current per capita formula that is used by our Treaty partners to address critical infrastructure is discriminatory and as such the needs of our Nations have been neglected and insufficiently funded for decades.”

The report identifies the need for a $349.2 billion investment over seven years to close the infrastructure gap for First Nations. Those investments would generate $308.9 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That boost would propel Canada from last to first among G7 countries in average annual GDP per capita growth by 2030.

Without immediate action, the cost to address critical infrastructure needs such as housing, clean water, broadband connectivity, all season roads, and transportation will rise to more than $527 billion by 2040.

“Closing this gap will not only address human rights issues, it will be good for First Nations, Manitoba and Canada’s economies,” said Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine. “This report clearly demonstrates that investments in First Nations make good socio-economic sense for everyone.”

When it comes to First Nations in southern Manitoba, SCO continues to address the chronic infrastructure gap in delivering clean and reliable water to our communities. The report’s findings support our own publication Decolonization: Recognizing First Nations Sovereignty 2024 which addresses the colonial systems currently in place and the funding resources that have been denied to First Nations to live healthy lives.

The report also shows the infrastructure spending to close the First Nations infrastructure gap would create significant employment opportunities. It is estimated that the spending would support nearly 2.4 million full-time, full-year jobs nationwide over the next seven years. Many of those jobs would be filled by First Nations people.

“More than anything, this report clearly outlines the incredible potential these investments hold when it comes to all aspects of life for our citizens,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “Along with increased employment, they will result in better access to education, improved health outcomes, enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities, and preservation of our communities and cultures. I call on the federal government to act immediately on the report’s findings to close the infrastructure gap by 2030 and to create a bright and prosperous future for all Canadians.”

SCO will be hosting a second infrastructure meeting with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and all First Nations in Manitoba early in 2025. This will build on the February 2024 meeting SCO held over two days to discuss infrastructure modernization, tendering policy, and the drinking water protocol. The event was attended by 163 representatives from southern and northern First Nations, First Nation organizations and Tribal Councils, and regional and national staff from ISC.

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 88,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

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