Quality of Life

Ontario is working hard to improve the quality of life for First Nation, Métis and Inuit.

Ontario invests about $600 million annually on programs and services for Aboriginal people. About $300 million of this essential funding goes to child and social services, $80 million to justice and policing initiatives and $45 million for educational and training programs.

Learn more about Improving Social Conditions

Gaming Revenue Sharing Agreement

Ontario has signed a Gaming Revenue Sharing Agreement with First Nations across the province to improve the quality of life for First Nation communities.

This agreement provides First Nations with a stable source of funding. First Nation communities received $201 million immediately, and will receive about $3 billion in total over 25 years beginning in 2011, for health and education, as well as cultural, economic and community development projects.

New Relationship Fund

Ontario is helping Aboriginal communities to develop the resources, capacity and skills necessary to effectively represent their interests and work more seamlessly with governments by investing in the New Relationship Fund.

A recommendation of Justice Linden's Ipperwash Inquiry Report, the fund is about building stronger relationships between the Province of Ontario and its Aboriginal partners, as well as encouraging greater coordination amongst government, industry and Aboriginal communities.

The fund will be supported by an initial $25 million commitment. The province consulted extensively with impacted communities over the summer of 2008 on the details of the fund. Implementation of the fund will begin in fall 2008.

Framework Agreement

Ontario is improving the quality of life for Métis people with a new proposed Framework Agreement. The agreement will strengthen the relationship between the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Government of Ontario and make consultation processes more effective.

To support these discussions, the Government of Ontario announced new funding of $200,000 toward development of the framework agreement.

Aboriginal Child Protection Services

The province has provided a total of $99.2 million in 2007-08 for six Aboriginal Children's Aid Societies.

At Risk Children Services

The Akwe:go Urban Aboriginal Children's Program receives $6.19 million in funding annually. Child Well-Being and Protection Services receive $22.6 million annually.

Off Reserve Child Care

Ontario helped to create and sustain more than 300 new licensed off-reserve child care spaces for Aboriginal children by contributing funding of $6.75 million in 2007-08.

Health and Healing Programs

An investment of $49.5 million for programs promoting healthier lifestyles was invested in the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy including $8.5 million for the Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program.

Policing Services

Ontario provided funding to address the infrastructure needs for self-administered police services. This included $3.2 million to Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services since 2003 for rent and minor capital projects impacting on 43 First Nation communities.

Research Chair in Aboriginal and Rural Health

This unique educational initiative provides $1.5 million for studies at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

Education Strategy

Ontario has invested $12.7 million to support the implementation of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework to give Aboriginal children and youth a chance at a brighter and promising future.