Over the past few months, we've announced renewed funding for key sectors so that proven programs can continue to deliver results.
In February, I confirmed an investment of $1.55 billion to support requests, through Jordan's principle, from April 2026 to March 31, 2027. This includes $775 million in new funding. I also announced $115 million to extend the Inuit child first initiative through March 31, 2027. These investments provide immediate stability for families and allow communities to continue delivering essential supports for children, without interruption.
As the wildfire season begins, our government understands that supporting communities on the front lines of natural disasters and extreme weather events is a critical priority. This is why Indigenous Services Canada is allocating an additional $55.6 million to the emergency management assistance program in 2026-27. This funding is going to support community capacity, preparedness and mitigation, and that includes initiatives like FireSmart and emergency management coordination. We know that, during wildfires, flooding and other events, there can be devastating impacts on communities, and this is why we continue our support in this space.
We've also renewed $283 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, to support indigenous governance and capacity programs. This investment supports first nations governments with the resources to build governance structures, plan for the future and strengthen their communities.
I would now like to take a moment to discuss the priorities for the coming year.
One of my top priorities is really to support indigenous children and youth. I've heard the service needs expressed by families across the country. I've really understood that we need to work together to ensure that children can grow up safely, receive support and maintain strong ties with their culture.
In addition to the investments already mentioned in Jordan's principle and the Inuit child first initiative, I've also proposed a new path forward for long-term reform of the first nations child and family services program. The Government of Canada is committing $35.5 billion starting in 2027, for seven years, and an additional $4.4 billion annually after that to advance first nations-led approaches.
This funding will support first nations in exercising their right to care for their own children. It will do so by strengthening prevention-focused services, supporting families and enabling communities to design and deliver programs that are rooted in their own law, cultures, priorities and languages.
The coming into force of the Ontario final agreement at the end of last month has been something that is truly transformative. It is change in a space that is critical. I'd like to thank Regional Chief Benedict and Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler for their hard work and collaboration, as well as the many members and participants who were with us on the historic day as we welcomed this working relationship through ceremony.
One of my other top priorities is based on water. Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for health and dignity.
In budget 2025, we've continued to build on progress, committing $2.3 billion over three years, starting in 2026-27, to renew the first nations water and waste-water enhancement program.
These investments will support over 800 projects, help communities modernize their systems and train more water system operators. The investments will help build local capacity and prevent the need to issue new drinking water advisories.
Our shared goal remains unchanged, which is ending long-term water advisories. We've also made real progress in this space, lifting 156 long-term drinking water advisories since 2015. There is more work to do in this space.
Most recently, on May 27, Okanese First Nation lifted its drinking water advisory. I'd like to congratulate Chief Stonechild on this important step forward for his community.
However, as I mentioned, we know that every community needs to ensure that they have lasting access to safe drinking water. Passing the first nations clean drinking water legislation is a crucial step in achieving this. Our goal for our government is a commitment to introducing water legislation before the end of spring. This is a commitment that I intend to keep.
I will have more information to share with the committee members about this very soon.
A key factor in all this work is the importance of the partnership. As minister, I've built relationships with communities across the country. I'm encouraged by our joint progress in finding solutions that respect indigenous people's contributions and leadership and that enable communities to shape their own future.
Projects are being carried out. However, we know that they aren't enough on their own. We need to make real and lasting changes. This means continuing to listen, fulfilling our commitments and improving Indigenous Services Canada's way of working in partnership with communities on a daily basis.
Meegwetch, tshinashkumitinau, qujannamiik, marsi, merci, thank you.