Question Period Note: Housing

• There are unacceptable and longstanding housing gaps that exist in Indigenous communities.

• In response, our Government has committed over $1.7 billion in funding (in Budgets 2017 and 2018) for distinctions-based housing strategies.

• For First Nations housing on reserve, and in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, we have committed more than $1 billion with 21,429 homes being built, renovated or retrofitted since Budget 2016.

• There is more to do and we continue to work in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation partners to co-develop and implement community-led housing strategies.

As of December 31, 2020 , ISC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) together reported a total of 21,429 housing units built, renovated and retrofitted. Of that amount, ISC is responsible for 9,567 housing units divided as follows:

• 3,067 new unit constructions, 2,020 of which are completed
• 6,500 unit renovations and upgrades, 4,069 of which are completed

CMHC is responsible for 11,862 homes, of which 9,351 are completed.

ISC has been collaborating with the Assembly of First Nations and its Chiefs Committee on Housing and Infrastructure and federal partners to co-develop a National First Nations Housing and Related Infrastructure Strategy, supported by $600 million over three years announced in Budget 2018. The Strategy was endorsed at the December 5, 2018 Special Chiefs Assembly, outlining the path forward to transition the care, control and management of housing to First Nations.

CIRNAC has worked in partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit land claim governments and organizations, CMHC and Employment and Social Development Canada to develop the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, which was made public on April 4, 2019. The Strategy is premised on self-determination with Inuit recipients holding the responsibility, decision making powers and capacity to meet housing needs at the regional level. Budget 2018 allocated $400 million over 10 years to support Inuit-led housing in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit, with an additional $290 million over 10 years for Nunavut from Budget 2017 through CMHC to the Government of Nunavut.

Canada and the Métis Nation signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord in April 2017, with a number of year one priorities that parties agreed to collaborate on, including a Métis Nation Housing Strategy. On July 19, 2018, the Métis Housing Sub-Accord was finalized, outlining the design, delivery and administration of housing services undertaken by the Governing Members of the Métis Nation to address the purchase of new houses, the repair of existing houses and the provision of rent-supplements to families most in need. The Housing Sub-Accord, funded at $500 million over 10 years announced in Budget 2018, reflects a shared commitment to narrow the core housing needs gap and further Indigenous self-determination in this important area of social policy.

The Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative was launched on April 11, 2019, by the Minister of Indigenous Services and co-chairs of the Indigenous Steering Committee. 342 applications were received and 24 were selected by the Steering Committee as part of the Accelerator process. The Accelerator, launched January 20, 2020 provides Indigenous Innovators with funding and supports to further develop their idea into implementable proposals. In November 2020, the Indigenous Steering Committee has approved two projects to move to implementation. The Initiative is being done in partnership with Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge and addresses the Government of Canada’s commitment to a process specific to Indigenous communities that reflects their unique realities and needs.

If pressed on funding

• Through Budget 2018, our Government has invested $600 million over three years for First Nations housing; $500 million over 10 years for Métis Nation housing; and $400 million over 10 years for Inuit-led housing.

• This is in addition to the $290 million over 10 years to support housing in Nunavut announced in Budget 2017.

In addition, Budget 2021 committed $4.3 billion over four years to support infrastructure projects in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities, including housing.

• We are making the necessary investments and will continue to do the work to support Indigenous housing throughout the country.

If pressed on the Distinction-based First Nations Housing Strategy

• First Nations have led the co-development of a National First Nations Housing Strategy to ensure housing reform is reflective of their needs, endorsed by the Special Chiefs Assembly on December 5, 2018.

• The Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous Services Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation meet regularly to advance the national strategy and plan for its implementation.

• This collaboration ensures that housing and infrastructure reforms target a long-term approach to support the transition to First Nations care, control and management of housing, in a way that respects regional differences and First Nations’ readiness.

If pressed on the Distinction-based Inuit Housing Strategy

• Improving Inuit housing is a priority for our Government.

• The Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, which was released in April 2019, was co-developed with Inuit and will be delivered by Inuit.

• The Strategy provides long-term vision and direction for Inuit housing premised on self-determination.

• Work is already well underway to deliver our Government’s Inuit housing investments.

• This includes work facilitated directly by Inuit. We will continue our joint work to implement Inuit-led strategies to further address Inuit housing needs.

If pressed on the Distinction-based Métis Housing Strategy

• Improving Métis housing outcomes is a priority for our Government.

• During summer 2018, leaders from the Métis Nation and Government of Canada signed the Canada-Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord, which will improve Métis access to – and control of – affordable and social housing.

• This Sub-Accord reflects a shared commitment to narrow the core housing need gap and further Indigenous self-determination in this important area of social policy.

• We will continue to close the unacceptable housing gap in a collaborative process that addresses the needs of communities – driven by each Métis Nation Governing Member.

If pressed on Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative

• Our Government knows that supporting Indigenous led solutions is the only way to address the unacceptable socioeconomic gap.

• This $36 million fund is designed to support Indigenous-led, community-driven projects that could serve as blueprints for new approaches.

• The Indigenous Steering Committee selected 24 innovators; two projects received implementation funding and the other 22 projects continue to work towards this goal.

• The Indigenous Taskforce of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is participating as mentors, to support the Innovators throughout the accelerator period.

If pressed on the Insufficient COVID-19 Related Infrastructure

• We recognize that poor housing conditions can contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

• We are working with communities to identify and support local surge health infrastructure needs to screen, triage, and isolate in case of an outbreak.

• Approaches include re-tooling existing community infrastructure, or purchasing and installing mobile structures.

• As of January 31st, 97 community spaces were identified for re-tooling and 389 mobile structures were funded.

• We will continue to work closely with partners to keep communities safe.

Mathias Colomb First Nation

• Indigenous Services Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation work in partnership with First Nations to improve housing conditions and management.

• First Nations have access to a range of programs to assist in improving housing stock.

• Since 2015, Mathias Colomb has accessed or received through Calls for Proposal in excess of $8M to support home repairs, renovations, and construction.