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Dear Minister Alty:
Re: Urgent Call to Immediately Increase Specific Claims Research Funding
Spuzzum First Nation is writing to you regarding the crisis-level shortfall in available funding for First Nations to research, develop, and submit their specific claims to the federal government under the Specific Claims Policy. The overall shortfall, coupled with the way Canada has allocated funding to claims research units (“CRUs”) and individual First Nations across the country, will effectively starve the entire claim resolution process.
Spuzzum First Nation is calling on you to provide an immediate, urgently needed top-up of $23 million for 2025-26 and to commit to working with First Nations to co-develop a fair and transparent mechanism for providing stable, equitable, and full funding over the long term. Your government’s failure to act will result in growing mistrust between First Nations and Canada, undermining potential economic partnerships, increasing the likelihood of social and economic instability.
In 2025-26, the $12 million available for specific claims research and development across Canada has been stretched dangerously thin due to a reported increase in applications from individual First Nations. CRUs, which research 80 percent of claims and receive mandates directly from First Nations to do so, have had their budgets cut by up to 83 percent. Individual First Nations applying directly for funding have also received 25 percent less than the $40,000 per claim cap and 50 to 75 percent less than the amounts they requested, based on need. Canada made and implemented these decisions unilaterally, with no warning or communication, despite the existence of a working group established to collaborate and discuss funding issues as they arise. The current situation will be exacerbated exponentially next year if the funding envelope reverts to $4 million as it is scheduled to do.
This is unacceptable and charts a dangerous course. Canada is accountable for its historical failure to uphold its own laws and agreements and has an obligation to provide redress through the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the UN Declaration Act. Failure to resolve specific claims will trigger litigation, loss of credibility with international investors, and escalating political conflict over development proposals. This is an avoidable crisis of Canada’s own making.
Denying access to research funding creates an insurmountable barrier to the entirety of the specific claims process. Spuzzum First Nation urges you to act immediately to ensure First Nations’ access to justice, restore stability to the system, uphold the honour of the Crown, and fulfill Canada’s obligations to justice and reconciliation.
Sincerely,
Janice Kuester
Chief, Spuzzum First Nation