AFN Chiefs’ Committees and the Economic Portfolio
- Chiefs’ Committee on Economic Development (CCED)
- Chiefs’ Committee on Human Resources Development (CCHRD)
- Chiefs’ Committee on Gaming
- Chiefs’ Task Force on Cannabis
Technical Committees
- First Nations Technical Working Group on Human Resources Development
- Technical Expert Meetings on specific economic issues, as required
AFN Economic Portfolio Activity
The Economic Sector’s activity over the past twelve months notably included:
- Trade
- Energy and Resource Development
- Procurement
- Agriculture
- Cyber-community and Connectivity
- The Labour Market and Human Resources Development, with an increased focus on Persons with Disabilities.
- Social Innovation and Social Finance
- Economic Relations and Reconciliation, specifically the preparation of leaders for participation in Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) tables and advocacy for new investments in First Nations economic programs.
Economic Reconciliation
- Request for advice from the Chiefs’ Committees on the following matters:
- Exploring new or additional sectors of support to enhance First Nations’ economic capacity.
- First Nations Economic Relations and Networks
- Inclusion of First Nations in Trade Agreements
- New investments in First Nations programs, services, and economic incentives.
- Participation or opportunities in all sectors of the economy.
Commerce
- Since 2017, the Chiefs-in-Assembly have adopted three resolutions on trade and investment; the necessity of protecting inherent rights is specifically mentioned in these resolutions.
- Canada has introduced Bill C-100 to implement the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- The AFN continues to advocate for Canada to prioritize provisions and exceptions aimed at protecting First Nations rights and their inclusion in other trade negotiations, such as the Pacific Alliance, negotiations with Mercosur, and other international trade negotiations or agreements.
Guidance Documents (2018-2019):
- First Nations and access to procurement.
- Reflections on the Cannabis Economy
- Consultation document on First Nations involvement in natural resource development.
- First Nations and energy development.
- Working document for a trade strategy.
Upcoming year:
- Continue the dialogue on trade.
- Advocate for new provisions in procurement policies.
- Exploring ways to close economic capacity gaps.
- Inventorying investment gaps and examining current and future needs.
- Gathering information from First Nations to identify the needs of their agricultural businesses and the barriers to achieving their agricultural goals.
- Social finance recommendations to address issues supported by few, if any, funding programs, which constitute a barrier to accessing employment, training, or business opportunities.