New report examines scale, growth, and per-member impact of government transfers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALGARY — A new study released today by the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy examines the scale, growth, and per-member impact of federal and provincial transfers to the Cowichan Tribes since 2001. In light of the 2025 B.C. Supreme Court Cowichan decision recognizing Aboriginal title over certain lands, such analyses are critical to informing public debate.

The report, $1.3 billion in taxpayer funds to the Cowichan Tribes: Federal and provincial funding over 24 years, analyzes publicly available financial data and finds funding accelerating sharply in recent years.

Key Findings

• Despite not having a treaty, since 2001, the Cowichan Tribes have received nearly $1.3 billion in federal and provincial funding.
• Funding rose from $37.4 million in 2001–02 to $103.3 million in 2024–25—up 176 percent.
• Cowichan has 5,627 members, with the on-reserve population at 2,651.
• In other words, since 2001, the Cowichan Tribes have received $227,223 per member, or $9,468 per member annually.
• In 2024–25, per-member annual funding reached $18,359—nearly double the 24-year average.

“These figures do not argue against service funding,” said Mark Milke, lead author of the report and founder and president of the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy. “But when courts and governments discuss reconciliation, it is reasonable to ask how financial transfers factor into that conversation.”

The report notes that taxpayer-funded transfers support important services, such as education, health care, infrastructure, housing, and social programs. However, the cumulative scale of transfers raises broader questions considering ongoing litigation and negotiations that have extended for more than three decades.

The full report is available at aristotlefoundation.org.

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Media Contact

Dami Itabiyi 
Media and Marketing Coordinator 
Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy 
Dami@aristotlefoundation.org | 403-401-3828