Indigenous Services Canada is under fire from the federal auditor general for failing to improve essential services for First Nations communities. In a report released on Tuesday, Auditor General Karen Hogan highlighted significant shortcomings in the department's efforts to address health and infrastructure issues. Despite an 84 percent increase in funding since 2019, the department has struggled to enhance access to clean drinking water and emergency services.

The report indicates that Indigenous Services Canada has not implemented approximately half of the recommendations made by the auditor general between 2015 and 2022. Hogan noted that 35 long-term drinking water advisories remain in effect, with nine of those advisories lasting a decade or more. This situation persists even after two decades of concerns raised by the auditor general regarding access to clean drinking water for First Nations.

Hogan's report emphasizes the need for a sustained focus from Indigenous Services Canada to redesign its program delivery. She stated that collaboration with First Nations is crucial to improve their capacity and advance reconciliation efforts. The report also aligns many of its recommendations with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and the final report on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The audit found that Indigenous Services Canada has made unsatisfactory progress in implementing six previous audits conducted between 2015 and 2022. This lack of progress is concerning, especially given the nearly doubled spending on Indigenous services over the past five years, which increased from $13 billion to $24 billion.

Hogan pointed out several areas where the department has fallen short, including ongoing challenges in accessing health services, gaps in evaluating oral health programs, and critical deficiencies in emergency management amid increasing threats. She stressed that without significant improvements, the federal government may struggle to enhance services and outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty is expected to address the audit findings alongside other Liberal cabinet ministers later today. The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by First Nations and the urgent need for effective action from the federal government.