Question Period Note: Attawapiskat First Nation

Canada is committed to closing the housing and infrastructure
gap for Indigenous people, and supports construction,
renovation and capacity development for First Nations.
• Officials are working closely with Attawapiskat First Nation
leadership to develop creative, Indigenous-led solutions that
address community housing and infrastructure needs.
• On June 9, ISC provided the community with a $33 million
funding commitment letter that supports priority infrastructure
projects as identified by the First Nation.

On March 30, 2023, Attawapiskat First Nation provided a list of requirements needed to address
issues in the community. ISC held a Community Centered Approach meeting with the First
Nation from June 7-8 in Toronto. On June 9, ISC provided Chief Sylvia with a funding
commitment letter for $33 million to support immediate priority areas identified by the First
Nation.
On June 13, 2023, Chief Sylvia issued a letter to the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada
and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada requesting a
meeting and commitment of funds totaling $258 million to support housing and infrastructure
needs. ISC has prepared a response letter.
Attawapiskat First Nation has requested the airport be relocated in order for the community to
grow. During the June 7-8 meeting, the First Nation requested a legally binding agreement with
ISC on timelines and confirmed funds for these intermediate needs total $258 million for
servicing lots and new housing, renovations to existing homes, community drinking water
upgrades, wastewater system upgrades and expansion, transportation upgrades, solid waste
management improvements, and flood protection. ISC has advised it is unable to sign a legally
binding agreement of this amount for infrastructure and housing needs at this time, but advised
the Department will be able to look at approaching this in phases.
The First Nation has been approved to complete a Comprehensive Community Plan. The
Department will work with the First Nation in determining status of Comprehensive Community
Plan and funding requirements. ISC has confirmed that they will work with the Province of
Ontario in determining funding source for the Airport Relocation Plan, subject to a reasonable
scope of work. The First Nation will provide a scope of work to the Department for this activity.
The Province of Ontario advised they will work with the Ministry of Transportation to discuss
options for the Airport Relocation Plan.
The First Nation has received for capacity building in the amount of $203,333 for fiscal 2023-24.
ISC will continue to work with First Nation leadership on housing and infrastructure needs

If pressed on funding commitment
• On June 9, ISC provided Attawapiskat First Nation with a
funding commitment letter for $33 million to support projects
identified as Immediate Requirements by the community. The
funding will support the construction of Tiny Homes (12 units),
Airport Heights Subdivision Servicing (28 lots), Airport Heights
Housing (28 units), Healing Lodge Rehabilitation, Primary East
Lift Station Rehabilitation, and a Water Feasibility Study.
• ISC officials will work with First Nation leadership, technicians
and representatives to co-develop funding submissions and
advance these projects on a priority basis.

If pressed on additional support
• Attawapiskat First Nation has been approved to complete a
Comprehensive Community Plan. The Department will work with
the First Nation in determining status of the Comprehensive
Community Plan and funding requirements.
• The First Nation has received $203,333 in capacity funding for
fiscal 2023-24.