AFN chiefs warn federal budget cuts will hurt First Nations

By Canadian Press on September 16, 2025.

OTTAWA — First Nations chiefs are warning Ottawa that any cuts to federal funding for their communities will only make it harder for them to move Ottawa’s major projects agenda forward.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says several outstanding issues in First Nations communities still require federal attention and money, including a lack of infrastructure and clean drinking water.

She says that while she wants Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize those issues in his upcoming fall budget and in Parliament, she fears they will be sidelined in favour of economic interests.

Carney has asked his ministers to find savings in their departments and has said the upcoming fall budget will rein in operational spending while investing more in growing the economy.

New Brunswick Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says cutting programs and funding for First Nations will only make their situations worse, since the funding they currently receive is already well below what they need.

She says that unless those funding levels are increased or at least maintained, First Nations shouldn’t be expected to help the government move its major projects agenda forward.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press