Indigenous Infrastructure: Unfit, Unsafe, Unjust

Decades of underfunding have left First Nation communities across Canada grappling with inadequate housing, poor health outcomes, and limited access to essential services. Despite federal promises to close this infrastructure gap by 2030, recent audits indicate little progress, with the true cost, exacerbated by inflation, predicted to reach $528 billion by 2040. This stark reality underscores the ongoing struggles for improved roads, schools, and digital connectivity, as many communities still lack basic infrastructure such as cell service and safe drinking water.

This ongoing disparity perpetuates intergenerational disadvantages, exacerbating social issues like youth incarceration, homelessness, and poor health. Through this series Unfit, Unsafe, Unjust,  the IJB explores the breadth and depth of these infrastructure gaps, shedding light on the daily challenges faced by First Nation communities and the broader implications for Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.