Fraser Institute estimates federal spending on Indigenous issues amid reconciliation talks

Mark Carney led historic reconciliation talks in Ottawa with premiers, territorial leaders, and First Nations representatives to discuss economic partnerships and treaty rights. A report by the Fraser Institute estimated that Ottawa has paid over $110 billion to First Nations for lawsuits and class action settlements over the past 50 years, mainly since 2017. The Fraser Institute also estimated that between 2015 and early 2025, inflation-adjusted federal spending on Indigenous issues increased from $10.3 billion to $40.8 billion annually.

The high level of federal spending on Indigenous issues, as estimated by the Fraser Institute, raises questions about the effectiveness of reconciliation efforts and the fiscal management of the Government of Canada. The report notes that despite this spending, the standard of living for First Nations has only shown a small uptick in recent years.