Indigenous Services Canada has made unsatisfactory progress in improving critical First Nations programs

Press Release

Ottawa, October 21, 2025—A follow-up report from Auditor General Karen Hogan tabled today in the House of Commons concluded that Indigenous Services Canada has made unsatisfactory progress in addressing long-standing issues related to drinking water, emergency services, and a range of other programs important to the health and well‑being of First Nations communities.

The department agreed to implement 34 recommendations in 6 audits completed from 2015 to 2022 on topics that also included access to primary health care, the provision of personal protective equipment, and information to address socio‑economic gaps. Overall, today’s follow-up report concluded that the department had made unsatisfactory progress in implementing the actions to address 53% of the recommendations.

For instance, as early as 2005, the Auditor General identified concerns with drinking water quality in First Nations communities. Then in 2011 and most recently in 2021, the Auditor General issued additional recommendations to help resolve the challenges. While the number of drinking water advisories has diminished, the department has not fully implemented the actions they committed to in response to our recommendations. Overall, 35 long‑term drinking water advisories remain in effect, of which 9 have been in place for a decade or longer.

In 2013 and again in 2022, the Auditor General recommended that the department establish agreements to ensure that all First Nations communities have access to emergency services. Timely, coordinated responses to events such as wildfires and floods are essential to mitigate disruption to peoples’ lives and damage to critical infrastructure. In this follow-up audit, however, the Auditor General found that even fewer emergency service agreements were in place than in 2022.

“Sustained focus from Indigenous Services Canada to redesign how it delivers programs and collaborating with First Nations to improve their capacity are important steps for resolving these persistent issues, improving outcomes, and advancing reconciliation,” Ms. Hogan said.

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The 2025 Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Follow‑up on Programs for First Nations, is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

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