Indigenous Services Canada’s headquarters takes on average more than a year to process applications for Indian status, according to a new report by Canada’s auditor general.
The audit found that over a period from 2019-2024, although there is a service standard to make a decision within six months, over 80 per cent of applications processed by Indigenous Services Canada headquarters exceeded this.
The average processing time was just under 16 months. The report notes the long wait times are a barrier to accessing vital services such as on-reserve housing, health benefits and financial aid for post-secondary schooling.
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