Infrastructure
Summary
While there was an overall agreement that First Nations must stop being a rubber stamp and that they should be intimately involved in every infrastructure project that affects and involves them, there was also a strong message that large infrastructure projects should be pursued in partnerships with governments, funders, First Nations, other service sectors and professionals. There was also widespread agreement that the Authority should move forward on the transfer of housing related infrastructure programs and services (roads, lighting, wastewater, drinking water, etc.) at the same time as it transfers housing programs. The current proposal-driven project funding often finds First Nations in situations such as having housing funds before drainage or road upgrades. Consequently the principle that everything is connected dominated the discussions. The general feedback favoured the Authority taking a central role in the coordination of infrastructure programs and services. The stated goal is to acquire services that are appropriate to First Nations and incorporate local knowledge, but that the transfer of all infrastructure programs and services will be phased in as the Authority builds capacity. The most pressing need being for First Nations to conduct a thorough asset assessment for their community(ies).
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