SCO Calls on Province to Ensure First Nations Benefit from 2026 Manitoba Budget

Press Release

March 25, 2026

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is responding to the 2026 Manitoba Budget, tabled March 24. While SCO acknowledges new investments in health care, community safety, and wildfire response, the budget’s reductions to housing, addictions, and homelessness funding raise serious concerns for First Nations already facing critical shortfalls in these areas.

“Major concerns for First Nations include the ongoing threat of wildfire, a lack of affordable housing, safety, and the ongoing fight against substance misuse. SCO Nations also continue to consider health care as an essential priority — with a need to receive services closer to home in a culturally safe way.”

— Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

Health Care: Investment Must Reach First Nations Communities

The budget commits nearly $1 billion in new health care spending, including major infrastructure investments in Winnipeg. SCO welcomes this commitment but is calling on the province to clearly identify what portion of these investments will directly support on-reserve or Nation-based care. The budget provides limited detail on how First Nations citizens living on reserve will benefit from these rebuilding efforts.

Manitoba Crown-Indigenous Corporation: Nations Must Be Full Partners

The province is creating a new Manitoba Crown Indigenous Corporation (MCIC)—the first of its kind in Canada. SCO Chiefs have already passed Resolution #4 (January 21, 2026) establishing SCO’s next steps, including forming a task force and appointing Chief Derek Nepinak of Minegoziibe Anishinabe as interim member of the MCIC. SCO is calling on the province to establish a clear, Nation-to-Nation consultation process to ensure First Nations are full partners in the MCIC’s design and implementation.

Economic Development: A Start, But More Is Needed

SCO is pleased to see Budget 2026 invest $4 million in the Indigenous Economic Development Fund. Grand Chief Daniels emphasized the importance of economic development and quality jobs as Manitoba residents—First Nations and non-First Nations alike—continue to confront rising costs of living, high food prices, and unpredictable fuel costs.

Cost of Living: Urban Benefits Don’t Reach Remote Nations

The budget removes Provincial Sales Tax from prepared grocery store foods and offers free transit rides for children. While SCO acknowledges these measures as positive steps, they provide limited relief to First Nations in remote communities. Many remote Nations have no access to qualifying grocery stores and no public transit infrastructure. SCO is calling on the province to invest in equivalent solutions for First Nations, including subsidized medical travel and Nation-based transportation options.

Wildfire Response: First Nations Must Be at the Table

The budget includes a new fire base in Thompson, additional firefighters, and enhanced fire mapping. SCO recognizes these investments but stresses that First Nations—who are disproportionately displaced by wildfires—must be co-developers of emergency response plans and evacuation protocols. SCO is calling on the province to resource these plans adequately alongside SCO Nations.

Housing and Affordability: Cuts Cannot Fall Hardest on First Nations

The budget introduces positive affordability measures: 5000 new free child care spaces, a renter’s tax credit of $675 (up from $625), and a homeowner affordability tax credit of $1700 per year (up from $1600, effective 2027). However, SCO is calling on the province to clearly explain how reductions to housing, addictions, and homelessness funding will not disproportionately impact First Nations, where housing needs remain urgent and critical.

“As we live through challenging economic times, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the province to ensure that its programs and services are impacting SCO Nations in a positive, enduring way.”

— Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 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.

Media inquiries:

media@scoinc.mb.ca

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