Question Period Note: Housing

• Since 2016, Indigenous Services Canada and Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation have jointly supported the
construction, renovation and retrofit of 31,707 homes on
reserve.
• Budget 2022 built on recent investments in First Nations
housing, committing $2.4 billion over the next five years to
support closing the housing gap in First Nations.
• We know that more needs to be done. We will work with First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation partners to co-develop and
implement community-led housing strategies.

As of June 30, 2023, ISC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) together reported a
total of 31,707 housing units built, renovated and retrofitted. Of that amount, ISC is responsible for 17,089
housing units divided as follows:
• 5,225 new unit constructions, 2,740 of which are completed,
• 11,864 unit renovations and upgrades, 5,901 of which are completed.
CMHC is responsible for 14,618 homes, of which 12,085 are completed.
ISC has been collaborating with the Assembly of First Nations and its Chief’s Committee on Housing and
Infrastructure and federal partners to co-develop a National First Nation’s Housing and Related
Infrastructure Strategy, supported by $600 million over three years announced in Budget 2017. 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.
Budget 2022 investments will assist ISC in continuing to: address housing gaps with $2.1 billion over five
years for new construction, renovations and adaptions for climate and energy efficiencies; support First
Nation capacity enhancement with $223 million over 5 years to retain existing and train and certify new
housing management; and support the creation of a network of Indigenous housing financial
organizations with $12.1 million over five years.
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 selfdetermination
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. Budget 2022
also provides $845 million over seven years to support Inuit housing and $150 million over 2 years to
support northern housing.
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 and Budget 2022 commits an additional $190
million over 7 years for housing in Métis communities.
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 26
were selected by the Steering Committee as part of the Accelerator process. The Accelerator, launched
January 20, 2020, provided Indigenous Innovators with funding and supports to further develop their idea
into implementable proposals. As of September 2023, the Indigenous Steering Committee has approved
thirteen projects to move to implementation and four projects have been completed. 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 reflect their unique realities
and needs.
Feature Stories:
Daylu Dena Council (YK)
11
The Daylu Dena Council is providing better options for the elderly and people with reduced mobility to
continue living in their home community of Lower Post. Residents in the newly-constructed sixplex share
common living spaces and three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom units. Council members designed
the building with the community’s northern climate in mind and used green standards to ensure energy
efficiency.
Fort Severn First Nation (ON)
The melting of the permafrost as a result of the changing climate has led to structural damage to home
foundations in Fort Severn, the northernmost First Nation community in Ontario. With the support of ISC
funding, the community enhanced capacity and built stable, energy efficient and code compliant homes
using an innovative foundation system that allows the houses to remain stable during the yearly freeze
and thaw cycle.
Mistawasis Nêhiyawak (SK)
To reduce overcrowding, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation constructed three new duplexes in the
community, and renovated ten existing homes to increase their lifespan and address health and safety
concerns caused by overcrowding.
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (BC)
Faced with a growing population and limited housing options, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations in British
Columbia, turned shipping containers into rental homes. The community partnered with Indigenous
Services Canada (ISC) and repurposed several shipping containers, turning them into 21 rental homes
(16 studio suites and five family homes). The new homes will provide housing for First Nations members
and seasonal workers in the community
In addition to housing, this project created jobs and economic development opportunities for the First
Nation. Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations developed its own workforce and trained members through a carpentry
program at North Island College that was sponsored by ISC and the Canada Mortgage Housing
Corporation (CMHC).
Tobique First Nation (ATL)
Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick and the Government of Canada have worked to strengthen the
governance structure of Tobique’s housing program to help develop a healthier and sustainable
Indigenous community. The program included the construction of a triplex housing unit, additions to four
units and a capacity development project.
Housing in the North:
Funding for Northern Indigenous housing is a complex space.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for providing support for Inuit
and northern Métis communities, as well as Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and territorial governments also have responsibilities
with respect to Northern Indigenous housing.

If pressed on funding for Indigenous housing
• Through Budget 2017 and 2018, our Government 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.
• In addition, Budget 2022 committed $4.3 billion over seven years
to support housing in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation
communities.
• We are making necessary investments and will continue to do
the work to support Indigenous housing.

If pressed on funding for First Nations housing
• Through Budgets 2016, 2017 and 2021, our Government
committed approximately $1.7 billion over 8 years for First
Nations housing.
• Through Budget 2022, we increased investments by $2.4 billion
over the next five years to support closing the housing gap in
First Nations.

If pressed on funding sufficiency
• The Assembly of First Nations estimated the 2021 on reserve
housing gap to be about $43.7 billion - $22 billion current onreserve
and $21.7 billion more for First Nations members
seeking to move on-reserve from off-reserve. The scale of need
is tremendous.
• Budget 2021 and 2022 investments will continue to support First
Nations to increase the number of available homes and address
critical housing needs.
• We will continue to work diligently with partners to advance the
First Nations National Housing and Related Infrastructure
Strategy and to ensure that First Nations across the country
have access to affordable housing.

If pressed on examples of First Nations housing projects
• Investments made since 2016 have ensured that many more
First Nations people have a place to call home.
• With support from the Government of Canada, in February 2021,
Pikangikum First Nation in Ontario opened a Bail Bed and
Transition Home. The first of its kind to be built on reserve, the
home will support the transition of individuals in a culturally
appropriate facility rather than in a provincial correctional
setting.
• We will continue to support First Nations to address the housing
needs of their members.

If pressed on the St. Theresa Point Class Action
• The Government of Canada respects the right of Indigenous
groups to seek the Court’s assistance on important issues.
• Indigenous Services Canada continues to work closely with First
Nations toward our shared goal that everyone has access to
safe and adequate housing in First Nations communities.

If pressed on the Distinction-based First Nations Housing Strategy
• First Nations have led the co-development of a National
First Nations Housing Strategy, 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 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 26 Innovators; as
of September 2023, 13 projects are in the implementation phase
and 4 have been completed.
• The Indigenous Taskforce of the Royal Architectural Institute of
Canada served as mentors supporting the innovators
throughout the accelerator period.