Overview of the Promise

During the 2025 federal election campaign, Mark Carney, as Liberal leader, promised to support Indigenous-led processes for advancing self-determination. This included facilitating the exercise of jurisdiction in priority areas such as education, health, child and family services, as well as community safety and policing. The commitment aimed to empower Indigenous communities to lead their own governance in these critical sectors, building on reconciliation efforts.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since assuming office in May 2025 following the Liberal minority government win, Prime Minister Mark Carney has initiated several engagements with Indigenous leaders. Official readouts from the Prime Minister's Office indicate meetings with leaders of National Indigenous Organizations in March 2025, where Carney shared his vision for economic partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Further engagements occurred in July and August 2025, focusing on the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5), with assurances that Indigenous voices would be central to major projects.

In specific outreach, Carney met with First Nations rights holders and Métis leadership to discuss collaboration on infrastructure and economic initiatives. On National Indigenous Peoples Day in June 2025, Carney publicly reaffirmed commitments to reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination. However, these actions have largely centered on economic and project-based partnerships rather than direct advancements in the promised priority areas.

Progress on Indigenous-Led Processes and Self-Determination

The government has emphasized partnership in its communications, with statements highlighting Indigenous involvement in nation-building projects. For instance, engagements related to Bill C-5 included discussions on respecting Indigenous rights, but some First Nations leaders expressed dissatisfaction, leading to walkouts in July 2025 due to perceived inadequate consultation. While these steps show initial support for Indigenous-led input, they do not yet constitute comprehensive processes for advancing broader self-determination.

Exercise of Jurisdiction in Priority Areas

Regarding education, there have been no new initiatives or funding announcements specifically supporting Indigenous jurisdiction since Carney took office. In health, similar gaps persist, with no reported legislation or programs transferring control to Indigenous-led entities.

For child and family services, the government has not introduced measures building on existing frameworks like the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. Community safety and policing also lack new developments, though general commitments to reconciliation mention these areas without concrete actions.

Related Legislation

The primary legislation passed under Carney's tenure is Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, enacted in June 2025. This bill removes barriers to internal trade and expedites major projects, with provisions for cabinet approval. While the government claims it includes Indigenous partnerships, it has faced opposition from Indigenous groups concerned about insufficient consultation and potential infringement on rights. No legislation directly addressing the promise's priority areas has been proposed or passed. Critics, including the NDP, have accused the government of prioritizing economic speed over Indigenous rights, based on Carney's past record at Brookfield.

Challenges and Future Outlook

The promise is currently in progress, with engagements laying groundwork but lacking substantive implementation. To become kept, the government must introduce and pass targeted legislation or agreements that devolve jurisdiction in education, health, child services, and policing to Indigenous communities, potentially through funding or bilateral accords. This could include expanding existing self-government agreements or new federal supports for Indigenous-led initiatives.

However, there is a risk of being broken if the focus remains on economic projects without addressing the specified areas, or if ongoing criticisms about consultation lead to stalled partnerships. Continued opposition from Indigenous leaders, as seen in walkouts and demands for veto rights, could escalate if not resolved, potentially derailing progress.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.