{"id":14378,"date":"2026-04-01T02:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fnfa.ca\/?p=14378"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:28:15","slug":"two-decades-of-fnfma-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fnfa.ca\/en\/two-decades-of-fnfma-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"TWO DECADES OF FNFMA LEADERSHIP DRIVING ECONOMIC RECONCILIATION IN CANADA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

April 1, 2026 \u2014 British Columbia, Canada \u2014 First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Infrastructure Institute<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today marks 20 years since the First Nations Fiscal Management Act<\/em> (2005) (the Act or FMA) came into force (2006) enabling the First Nation-led institutions under the Act to support First Nations in Canada with a similar fiscal framework and access to financing and investment opportunities as other forms of government. This enabled the development of real property taxation systems, increased financial capacity, access to affordable capital and investment services, and improved infrastructure project outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Act established the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority, and the First Nations Infrastructure Institute as a part of a comprehensive fiscal framework. Recognized as one of the most fundamental and successful pieces of legislation for First Nations in history, and receiving all-party support, the Act is part of Canada\u2019s commitment to level the playing field between First Nations and the rest of Canada with equitable participation in economic reconciliation opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Nations can choose to become scheduled to the Act enabling access to support and services of all the institutions. To date almost 70 per cent of First Nations in Canada, have become scheduled demonstrating a growing commitment to economic growth and self-determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor 20 years, the First Nations Fiscal Management Act has provided communities with the tools they need to grow their economies on their own terms. The First Nations-led institutions created by the Act are helping communities build infrastructure, attract investment, and create new opportunities for their people. Our government is proud to mark this anniversary and will continue to support this work and the Indigenous Partners leading it in the years ahead.\u201d ~ The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Government of Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the time of Royal Assent, I called the passage of the FMA a triumph for First Nations and Canada that would usher in a new era of economic development, job growth and improved infrastructure. Over the past twenty years, First Nations have collected more than $1 billion in local revenues to support community development and build more sustainable economies across Canada. While there is much to celebrate from our past, I am enthusiastic and optimistic about our future. We have been joined by a new generation of First Nation leadership who share our vision of true and full self-determination. With the North Star as our guide, we will walk and work together to clear the path for fiscal jurisdiction, strengthen community development, improve infrastructure and help First Nations advance self-determination as they build strong economies.\u201d ~ C.T. Manny Jules, Chief Commissioner, First Nations Tax Commission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis milestone celebrates the choice of First Nations leadership to deliver real results for their communities, with 67% of eligible First Nations now scheduled to the FMA. Good financial management equips First Nations to achieve their goals for the future, and the FMB will continue to adapt and create new tools as needed to meet the challenges ahead.\u201d ~ Harold Calla, Executive Chair, First Nations Financial Management Board<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo date, FNFA has raised more than $4.2 billion for First Nations contributing to the creation of an estimated 40,000 jobs and almost $9 billion to Canada\u2019s economy. Further amendments to the Act, such as enabling FNFA to lend to Special Purpose Vehicles, will only increase Indigenous economic participation and further drive growth and prosperity for generations to come.\u201d ~ Ernie Daniels, President and CEO of First Nations Finance Authority<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the 20th anniversary of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, we celebrate the many First Nations that have worked with the FMA institutions to strengthen their economies and advance their right to self\u2011determination. Building on this success, FNII looks forward to working alongside these institutions and participating First Nations to extend that progress into infrastructure, which is at the heart of every First Nation community\u2014supporting communities as they plan, build, and manage projects that reflect their own priorities for generations to come.\u201d – Allan Claxton, First Nations Infrastructure Institute Development Board Chair<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-30-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FNTC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FNTC undertakes a comprehensive range of functions and services designed to meet the evolving interests, needs and circumstances of First Nations and their taxpayers. The aim of these functions and services is to ensure the integrity of the system of First Nation real property taxation, and to promote a common approach to First Nation real property taxation nationwide, having regard to variations in provincial real property taxation systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FMB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Nations Financial Management Board is a First Nations-led non-profit organization that supports First Nations in developing sound financial and administrative governance practices. The FMB was created under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA) in 2006. Services offered are at no cost to First Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FNFA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FNFA is a First Nations-led non-profit, financial services corporation mandated under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act<\/em> (2005)<\/a> providing cost-effective financing, investment management, and capital advisory services to First Nations governments in Canada. FNFA does not rely on federal government funding and is self-sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About FNII<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FNII is a centre of excellence that helps First Nations and Indigenous organizations plan, design, and deliver infrastructure projects that reflect their priorities and support long-term community wellbeing. It offers flexible, optional supports\u2014from advisory services to workshops and tools\u2014that help Nations lead their own innovative infrastructure solutions and close the infrastructure gap on their own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n