Canada's 2026 federal budget sets out $50 billion for Indigenous communities

Canada’s 2026 federal budget, unveiled last Thursday under Prime Minister Mark Carney, allocates roughly $50 billion over 10 years for Indigenous communities. The largest portion—about $32 billion over a decade—is earmarked for First Nations housing and infrastructure. Other funding supports schools, children’s services, health benefits and policing, with measures meant to renew or extend existing programs to provide longer commitments and more planning flexibility. A new First Nations On-Reserve Infrastructure Program receives $18.5 billion starting in the 2027/2028 fiscal year for facilities and water and wastewater systems. Housing is funded with $11 billion over 10 years, plus $1.7 billion over five years to speed ready-to-build projects, including financing pilots and revolving housing loans.