It’s time to close the infrastructure gap for Indigenous communities

As chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in Lake Simcoe, Ont., I see every day how poor infrastructure hurts our community. Our ferry, the vital link to the mainland, is nearing the end of its useful life—a stark reminder of the infrastructure gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and a significant barrier to equity and justice. For us, the ferry is more than transportation; it’s a lifeline that affects every aspect of our daily lives. From accessing health care, going to work, and ensuring our children can attend school—everything depends on this connection. When the ferry fails, it doesn’t just cause delays, it cuts us off from essential services. Emergency services are delayed, sometimes with tragic consequences. In winter, the ferry becomes even more unreliable, and the ice roads we’re forced to use are increasingly dangerous due to climate change. We have seen lives lost on these unsafe roads. This is not just dangerous, it’s unacceptable. Donna Big Canoe is chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. Photograph courtesy of Donna Big Canoe This is why we are advocating for a fixed link between Georgina Island and the mainland—a permanent, safe, reliable connection that our community desperately needs. This link would guarantee consistent, year-round access to health care, education, and employment opportunities—things that many Canadians take for granted, but are critical challenges for Indigenous communities like ours. But the infrastructure gap isn’t just a Georgina Island problem. It’s a nationwide issue in Indigenous communities where projects take too long, cost too much, and often miss the mark due to chronic underfunding and poor planning. Despite federal commitments to close this gap by 2030, current investments fall far short. The 2024 budget allocated $918-million for Indigenous housing and infrastructure over the next five years, but the Assembly of First Nations estimates that the infrastructure gap for First Nations alone is nearly $350-billion, potentially reaching $530-billion by 2040. With the fall economic statement approaching, there’s an opportunity for meaningful progress. This mid-year fiscal update must go beyond minor adjustments and deliver real commitments to closing this gap. The government has promised to close it by 2030, but without significantly increased funding and a clear plan for implementation, these goals will remain out of reach. These figures aren’t just numbers—they represent real lives stuck in crisis. One in six Indigenous people live in homes that need major repairs. Overcrowding is twice as common as in non-Indigenous communities, leading to worse health outcomes and higher risks of violence. Many Indigenous communities still don’t have safe drinking water, and limited access to high-speed internet makes education and employment harder, keeping inequality alive. The minister of Indigenous services’ 2021 mandate letter calls for "immediate and long-term investments to close the infrastructure gap by 2030," and to "eliminate all remaining long-term drinking water advisories" on reserves. If Canada truly wants to achieve its Infrastructure 2030 goals, it needs to do more. It needs to work with Indigenous communities not just as beneficiaries of its plans, but also as partners in the process. Solutions must be community driven. For the Georgina Island Community, this means reliable and safer transportation to the mainland year-round. Canada must step up, look toward long-term solutions, and recognize that community-driven efforts can be more cost-effective, improve community well-being, and support reconciliation. First Nations communities—including ours—are ready to drive this process, but we need real support: real advocacy, allies, and partners committed to making this happen. Indigenous communities have the knowledge, insights, and willingness to lead these efforts, and current and future governments must work with us to close the gap. This isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a moral obligation. Lives depend on real progress. Reconciliation isn’t just about acknowledging past mistakes, it’s about taking real action to ensure Indigenous communities have the same opportunities and resources as other Canadians. Investing in Indigenous infrastructure is an investment in Canada’s future. It’s about creating a country where Indigenous children can grow up safe, healthy, and with the same chances for success as any other Canadian. This government has made commitments that it must now uphold. The fall economic statement can’t be another instance of vague promises or minor adjustments—it must deliver real action. Donna Big Canoe is chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. The Hill Times

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