New digital pilot aims to make it easier to register under the Indian Act

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is trying something new to speed up how people register their children under the Indian Act. ISC is conducting a pilot project that will allow parents to apply for their child’s registration using an online form. That might sound small, but it will be a big change, once it is fully up and running. For now the system is not available to anyone outside the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Until now, the only way to apply for registration under the Indian Act was by filling out paper forms and gathering supporting documents, then either mailing them in or dropping them off in person. The process to apply for a status card—or treaty card—was moved online years ago. But the registration process itself stayed stuck in the world of hard copies. “Up until the introduction of these digital tools, the application process was completely paper-based,” said Lori Duncan, director general for Individual Affairs at ISC. “And we had a problem where, depending on where you filed your application, you might experience a slightly different wait time or have a slightly different client service experience.” This digital version is meant to fix that. It cuts down on paperwork, catches mistakes before the application is submitted and saves time for both families and staff, according to the government. Duncan said it is hoped people will get an appointment in about half the time compared to the old method. “Because the information is entered into the system automatically, and because it checks for errors at the time of entry, we can guarantee at the end of the experience that the application is complete, which will in and of itself facilitate processing,” she said. Right now, as the new system is being tested, it is only available for a small group, including children aged 15 or under, at the Gatineau service centre near Ottawa —and only if both parents are listed on the child’s birth certificate. Both parents must attend the appointment with a valid ID to input their information into the system. But that’s just the first phase. In the coming weeks, ISC said it will expand the program to allow more types of applications, including children with one parent listed, applications from guardians or child welfare agencies, and eventually adults applying on their own. It will also expand to other regions. Appointments for the digital application can be booked online. Read More: Ottawa failing to meet timelines for First Nations registration: Auditor General Senator proposes major amendments to end second-generation cutoff Mandy Gull-Masty calls Senate’s push to end the second-generation cutoff ‘racism ISC is making efforts to address wait times Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan speaks at a press conference after tabling performance audit reports in Parliament, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Photo: Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press. The move comes at a time when the registration system has been under heavy scrutiny. A report from the Auditor General earlier this year found that more than 80 per cent of applications took longer than the government’s target of six months. Some files had been stuck in the system for years—including urgent cases involving elders or people with health issues. “Our government is focused on offering modernized, more effective services that better meet the needs of First Nations communities,” said ISC Minister Mandy Gull-Masty in a news release. “By making in-person registration applications under the Indian Act faster and easier, we are reducing barriers and improving access. “I look forward to expanding this innovative service so more people benefit from a streamlined experience.” The audit also found problems with training and oversight. In many cases, staff making the final decision on applications weren’t certified, and nearly half the department’s promised quality checks never happened. “In our response to the recommendations of the auditor general, we commit to further work to improve processing times, reduce wait times,” said Duncan. “And a digital tool is… part of our efforts in that regard.” She added that the pilot is part of a broader effort to make the whole system better. “We have taken measures over the years to find more efficient ways of intake applications and processing them,” said Duncan. “So we have done that through policy changes, through the introduction of digital tools, through training of staff and other measures… “The introduction of a digital application tool is very much in scope of those efforts.” Continue Reading