Government of Canada Partners with First Nation Communities to Create the First Nation Adapt Program

OTTAWA, Jan. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Climate change is one of the greatest collective challenges Canada faces as a nation. The Government of Canada is committed to work in partnership with First Nations communities to tackle climate change, grow the economy, and to ensure a more sustainable, prosperous and cleaner future for Canada.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced an investment of $24.7 million to identify and address climate change related impacts on infrastructure in First Nations communities on reserve. The First Nation Adapt program was created in full partnership with First Nations communities, Tribal Councils, Indigenous organizations, provincial governments and other federal departments.

This new program provides direct funding to First Nations communities that are experiencing repeated and severe climate impacts relating to coastal erosion and sea level rise, flooding, forest fires and winter road conditions. Funded projects help local communities to acquire technical expertise and information that will help them in adapting to potential impacts of climate change on their infrastructure.

The First Nation Adapt program is part of a comprehensive national plan on clean growth and climate change, developed by the Government of Canada in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to address clean growth and climate change issues across the country. It supports the Government's commitment to renew the nation-to-nation relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples, one based on the recognition of rights, respect, trust, co-operation, and partnership.

Quote

"The First Nation Adapt program will help First Nations communities on reserve address some of the impacts of climate change on their infrastructure, environment and health. The Government of Canada will continue working with Indigenous leaders on the important work ahead that will protect their land, air, and water while building a clean growth economy for future generations."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Quick Facts

• The First Nation Adapt Program is part of a Budget 2016 commitment to provide $129.5 million over five years to seven federal departments and agencies to implement programming focused on building the science base to inform decision-making, on protecting the health and well-being of Canadians, on building resilience in the North and Indigenous communities, and on enhancing competitiveness in key economic sectors.
• The First Nation Adapt program is currently supporting ten community projects in 2016-2017. The program will also hold workshops in First Nations communities.
• INAC and Health Canada are holding joint regional workshops with Indigenous partners and First Nations communities to identify priorities in the first year of programming.
• The program will establish an Indigenous Advisory Committee to provide guidance to the development of strategic priorities and implementation of the program. The Indigenous Advisory Committee will be made up of First Nations organizations and will meet once a year.

Associated Links

Link to First Nation Adapt program
Link to Climate Change Preparedness in the North program
Link to Northern REACHE program

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160