Question Period Note: Supports for Indigenous Women

• We are making investments to address the social determinants of health, including housing, economic opportunities, and Indigenous-led healthcare systems.

• For example, in May 2020, we announced funding to build and operate 10 new shelters on reserve and two in the territories to help support Indigenous women and children escaping domestic violence.

• The 2020 Fall Economic Statement announced additional investments for new Indigenous shelters and transitional housing across the country.

• This funding is in addition to the $10 million previously announced in COVID-19 supports for 46 First Nations shelters.

The Family Violence Prevention Program

The goal of the Family Violence Prevention Program is to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children and families. It provides funding for the following components: day-to-day operations of emergency shelters that provide services for women and children living on reserve in provinces, and in the territories; community-driven prevention projects; reimbursement of Alberta and the Yukon for Indigenous women and families accessing shelters off reserve; support for shelter capacity; and, engagement and community prevention projects to raise awareness and target Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ2 people.

On May 29, 2020, funding of $44.8 million over five years was announced to build 12 new shelters: 10 shelters in First Nations communities on reserve across the country, and two in the territories. The government will also provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and then $10.2 million annually ongoing.

In response to the Expression of Interest for the Shelter Initiative, 68 proposals were received by the deadline of January 15, 2021. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous Services Canada have completed the initial round of the feasibility assessment and are currently working with the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACAFV) and the Selection Committee for the on-reserve component to further assess the proposals. A national ranking of the proposals is expected by early April 2021.

This funding is in addition to the $10 million previously announced in COVID-19 supports for First Nations shelters and to the $1 million per year ongoing to engage Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, LGBTQ, and Two-Spirit People.

On November 30, 2020, the Fall Economic Statement announced $724.1 million to launch a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy to expand access to a continuum of culturally relevant supports for Indigenous women, children and LGBTQ and two-spirit people facing gender based violence. This strategy will support new shelters and transitional housing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country, including on reserve, and in the North and in urban areas.

On January 26, 2021 the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, the Honourable Marc Miller along with Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, committed to fund the construction and operations of shelters for Inuit women and children across Inuit Nunangat as well as in urban centres. The funding for the new shelters is part of the funding announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement for the comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy.

Indigenous Services Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will continue to work with Pauktuutit and other Inuit partners to determine the locations and define the details of this project to best meet the needs of women and families seeking shelter.

Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples

More than half of the Indigenous population in Canada lives in an urban centre. Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples is designed to assist First Nations, Inuit, and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centres, and aims to address challenges faced by some of the most at-risk community members, including Indigenous women. Funding is provided through five streams: Organizational Capacity, Programs and Services, Coalitions, Research and Innovation, and Infrastructure. One of the key priority areas under Programs and Services is Women and this supports projects such as women-only day programs, self empowerment and self care programs, healing programs for women that have escaped family violence, etc. Distinctions-based funding includes allocations for friendship centres, the Métis Nation, and the Inuit.

To address the immediate needs in First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation communities due to COVID-19, the Indigenous Community Support Fund was created in March 2020. Between March and May 2020, $90 million was allocated to address needs of First Nations off reserve and Indigenous peoples in urban centres. A further $305 million was announced for the Fund in August 2020 which included $160 million in needs-based funding and is being distributed to communities and organizations. Funding is being provided to applicants through an application process with a portion of this funding going to urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations. Another $380 million was announced through the Fall Economic Statement for the third phase of this Fund, $75 million for communities and organizations supporting Indigenous peoples living in urban areas or off reserve. Finally, Budget 2021 announced a further $760.8 million for a fourth round of this Fund. This will bring the total investment in the Fund to approximately $1.8 billion.

If pressed on the comprehensive violence prevention strategy

• $724.1 million was announced to launch a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy, a key component of the Government of Canada’s National Action Plan on the Final Report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

• This strategy will help improve the safety of Indigenous women, children, LGBTQ and two-spirit people facing gender-based violence across the country.

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will support the construction of new shelters and transition housing, and Indigenous Services Canada will provide operational funding.

If pressed on supports & services for Indigenous women in urban centres

• Through Budget 2019, $60 million was dedicated to providing safe and accessible spaces for urban Indigenous peoples to receive culturally relevant services.
• In response to COVID-19, approximately $1.8 billion will be provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund. Urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations have access to a portion of this funding.

• $724.1 million was announced to launch a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy. This strategy will expand access to culturally relevant supports for Indigenous peoples, and will support new Indigenous shelters and transitional housing, including in urban centres.

If pressed on shelter shortages in Indigenous communities

• Shelters in First Nations communities provide a vital place of refuge for women and children escaping violence.

• In May 2020, we announced funding to build 10 new shelters in First Nations communities and two in the territories to help protect Indigenous women and children fleeing domestic violence.

• The 2020 Fall Economic Statement announced $724.1 million to launch a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy, this strategy will support new shelters and transitional housing for Indigenous Peoples across the country.

If pressed on shelter shortages for Inuit women

• On January 26, 2021 our government committed to fund the construction and operations of shelters for Inuit women and children across Inuit Nunangat as well as in urban centres.

• These shelters will be funded via the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.

• My department and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are working with Pauktuutit and other Inuit partners to determine the locations and define the details of this project to best meet the needs of women and families seeking shelter.