Thank you.
Kwe kakina. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for having me here today.
I would first like to recognize the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation where I'm currently situated. I would also like to recognize the traditional territories from which you are participating.
I'm pleased to represent Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, which is responsible for overseeing some of the Government of Canada's initiatives related to Inuit and Métis Nation housing.
Safe, healthy and affordable housing provides the foundation for individuals and families to achieve better health and socio-economic outcomes. For indigenous peoples, it's also a way to live their culture, stay connected to their communities and be able to participate in society and the economy.
These are the reasons that, in 2017, through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and through the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, federal and indigenous leadership committed to working together to take important steps to address the significant housing needs.
Today, I am happy to speak in particular about our work with Inuit and the Métis Nation.
I would like to start my remarks by giving you a few of the current statistics. According to the 2017 report from the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, over 50% of Inuit in Inuit Nunangat, the traditional homeland of Inuit, live in crowded homes. We have heard stories of 15 people sharing a three-bedroom home, of entranceways and boiler rooms being turned into sleeping areas, and of children taking turns sleeping because there is just not enough room.
Over 30% of Inuit live in homes needing major repairs. Overcrowding contributes to the rate of tuberculosis in Inuit communities, and that rate is about 300 times higher than the rate among non-indigenous Canadians. Métis people experience core housing need at a rate 25% higher than non-indigenous Canadians.
Therefore, in budget 2016 and budget 2018, Canada invested a combined $980 million in distinctions-based funding to address Inuit and Métis housing needs. This includes $80 million in 2016 over two years and $400 million in 2018 over 10 years to support the Inuit-led housing strategy with direct investments in Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and the Inuvialuit regions. It also includes $500 million in 2018 over 10 years to support the Métis Nation housing strategy.
This was the first time that investments in indigenous housing by design took a distinctions-based, indigenous-led approach and delivery.
The co-developed Inuit Nunangat housing strategy, which was released in April 2019, and the Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord signed in 2018 were designed by indigenous partners and will be delivered by indigenous partners.
The strategies recognize the importance of long-term planning, direct investments provided to indigenous partners, and the need for innovation and experimentation and for taking into consideration the housing development challenges.
Here are a few of the results to date.
Since 2016, Inuit housing authorities have overseen the construction of approximately 480 housing units, with an estimated 550 more to be completed by the end of budget 2018. Since 2018, Métis Nation housing authorities have overseen the construction or purchase of nearly 200 units while renovating nearly 1,000 and subsidizing rents for nearly 1,200 Métis citizens.
These approaches directly lead to employment and business opportunities because of indigenous leadership's strong commitments to ensure that maximum benefits remain in their communities. These strategies are being delivered in flexible and innovative ways, reflecting indigenous lifestyles, traditions and culture.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, indigenous partners have directed some of their housing investments to deliver short-term emergency rental subsidies and temporary shelters for people living in unsuitable conditions.
As you can see, some progress has been made in addressing Métis and Inuit housing needs, but there remain significant challenges. Some of these challenges relate solely to geography. Of particular significance for Inuit is that housing construction in remote locations is characterized by a short construction season and by high costs of construction materials and labour.
Enhanced coordination among programs and services offered from federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments is also required. There is a complex patchwork of programs, services and funding opportunities available from different levels of government.
Inuit and Métis Nation partners have also identified the need to build capacity in their regions to take on greater roles and responsibilities in housing development and management, and to promote innovation and experimentation in housing.
We also know that funding is not consistent or sufficient to address the degree of housing gap, and long-term planning is required.
What are the next steps?
The 2020 Speech from the Throne recognized the need for continued attention to housing in indigenous communities, and committed to making ongoing progress to increase safe and affordable housing for indigenous people.
We have taken important steps with Inuit and Métis Nation partners, and these are guided by Canada's commitment to reconciliation with indigenous people, but also to self-determination. Results of the current strategies so far indicate that we're on the right path, that distinctions-based, self-determined approaches lead to more effective results, but a lot more needs to be done.
Together, we can ensure that the most immediate housing needs are addressed, while establishing a strong and equal foundation for Inuit and Métis Nation housing.
Meegwetch.