Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has planned spending of approximately $24.1 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year (including internal services).

https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html

This comes directly from ISC’s official 2026-2027 Departmental Plan. It breaks down as roughly $23.79 billion for the core responsibility (Indigenous Well-Being and Self-Determination) plus internal services.

Recent Context and Trends

• 2025-26 forecast: Around $27.1 billion (or ~$25 billion in some earlier plans).
• ISC (and the related Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, or CIRNAC) saw significant growth in prior years, with combined spending reaching ~$63 billion in FY 2024 (about 12% of the federal budget in some reports). Much of this consists of transfer payments, grants/contributions for services like health, education, housing, social programs, and infrastructure on reserves.
• Budget 2025 adjustments: ISC faces ~2% reductions (around $494 million annually starting 2026-27, alongside CIRNAC), which is lighter than broader government cuts. This contributes to multi-year savings targets, though the departmental plan figures above do not yet fully reflect finalized implementation of those cuts.

These funds primarily support services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including health care, education, child/family services, housing, water infrastructure, governance, and economic development. A large portion flows as transfers to communities or organizations rather than direct federal administration.

Notes on “Cost to Taxpayers”

• This is direct federal departmental spending funded by Canadian taxpayers via the federal budget.
• Total broader federal Indigenous-related spending (including CIRNAC, other departments, settlements, etc.) is higher and has grown substantially in recent years (e.g., nearly tripling from ~$11B in 2015 to over $32B by some 2025 estimates).
• Figures can vary between Main Estimates, actual expenditures, forecasts, and supplementary estimates due to one-time items, statutory spending, or adjustments (e.g., Jordan’s Principle, settlements).

For the most precise/current details, check the full ISC 2026-27 Departmental Plan on the linked Canada.ca site or the latest Public Accounts of Canada. Spending is transparent but complex due to distinctions-based (First Nations/Inuit/Métis) and transfer-heavy nature.