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.

• In June 2021, 12 new shelters were announced across Canada with $85 million committed to build and support their operation over five years and $10.2 million annually.

• In July 2021, $724.1 million was announced to support at least 38 emergency shelters and 50 transition homes across Canada over five years. This includes the expansion of culturally relevant violence prevention activities and $96.6 million annually.

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 support new emergency shelters and transitional housing across Canada, including in the North and in urban centres through ISC’s Family Violence Prevention Program.

• This strategy will help improve the safety of Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people facing gender-based violence across the country.

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

• Through Budget 2019, Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples allocated $60 million to provide 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.

If pressed on shelter shortages in Indigenous communities

• Shelters in First Nations communities and across Canada 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 escaping domestic violence. In June 2021, the 12 new shelters were announced.

If pressed on shelter shortages for Inuit women

• In January 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.

• In August 2021, Pauktuutit, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, launched the Call for Proposals for the Shelter Initiative for Inuit Women and Children.

• Both departments are working with Pauktuutit and other Inuit partners to best meet the needs of women and families seeking shelter.
If pressed on the 12 new shelters

• In May 2020, we announced $44.8 million over five years via the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to build 10 new shelters in First Nations communities and two in the territories to help protect Indigenous women and children escaping domestic violence.

• $40.8 million over five years and $10.2 million ongoing is also being provided by my department to support operational costs for these new shelters.

• On June 17, 2021, we announced the locations of the 10 new shelters in seven provinces and two shelters in the territories.

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