Thank you, Madam Chair.
I also thank our guests for coming here today to speak on behalf of the National Association of Friendship Centres.
In the context of these studies on poverty, we note that a number of factors impact importantly on the conditions which underlie poverty. Among these factors, there is of course employment—you have raised the issue of access to employment and job retention—and affordable housing.
In 2007, a special rapporteur of the United Nations came to Canada to study the issue of affordable housing among Aboriginal peoples. In addition to other observations, he noted overcrowding and the lack of housing and raised the issue of water and sanitation services. He recommended to the government that it: “Intensify measures to close the human development indicator gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.”
In regards to housing, he added this: “That adequate housing in a large number of Aboriginal communities be declared a priority objective Make adequate housing a priority in many Aboriginal communities and that adequate credits, investment and other resources be appropriated to solve this urgent problem within the shortest possible time frame.”
Since these recommendations were made, have you noticed any changes? If so, which ones?
At this time, are there significant projects that are likely to improve the housing situation?