The First Nations Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) Initiative
An Atlantic CCP Initiative grew out of the First Nations' determination to control its own community development agenda. Instead of planning based on the availability of federal program funding, Atlantic First Nations were seeking a model that would be responsive to individual First Nations' visions for their communities and their planning requirements. The model enables First Nation communities, Band Councils and the federal government to work cooperatively toward addressing the development of communities as determined by First Nations.
Support for community planning in Aboriginal communities is not a new concept to federal government; however in the last decade, INAC has recognized that past planning initiatives were rarely complementary within communities or across government departments, reducing their effectiveness at community-wide planning.[1] As a result, the department has increasingly emphasized comprehensive community planning in its strategic plans.[2]
The First Nations Comprehensive Community Planning Program is now being used as a resource to help establish a national mandate for First Nations community-based planning. Representatives from the Atlantic region are included in INAC's National Working Group for Comprehensive Community Planning, as well as the Canadian Institute of Planners' First Nations Planning Committee.
