Good afternoon.
The lack of housing among First Nations and the resulting overcrowding are long-standing problems. The crisis was there before the pandemic, and the last few months have confirmed once again the urgent need for action.
A study done by the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador reveals a need for more than 10,000 new housing units in Quebec communities, nearly 9,500 lots to be serviced and nearly 7,500 units to be renovated. This catch-up project represents a major economic development opportunity for all.
However, at the last meeting of the Regional Tripartite Housing Committee, the regional office of CMHC, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, informed us of a reduction in the budget for the Section 95 social housing program. This 8% reduction will take effect next year. In Quebec, this translates into a decrease of nearly $1 million, which means that fewer housing units will be built.
In addition, we have seen an increase in construction costs in recent months. The number of housing units that will be built next year will decrease because of the combination of these two realities. This reduction is difficult to justify in the context of a pandemic. The housing crisis places First Nations in a situation of vulnerability exacerbated by the pandemic.
Rather, all avenues must be explored to increase First Nations housing capacity. Funds dedicated to temporary infrastructures, which could serve as places of isolation in times of pandemic and as shelters for the homeless in normal times, would be welcome. Hidden homelessness isn't only an urban phenomenon, it's a phenomenon that has also been revealed in our communities by the pandemic. The rapid housing initiative could be useful, but we feel that it isn't enough. The $500 million envelope for which we will be able to submit applications will be open as much to the 630 indigenous communities as to other communities that are not major cities. An envelope specifically dedicated to the problems of homelessness on reserves is necessary, especially since our communities do not have access to the federal funds for homelessness transferred to the Province of Quebec.
We also recommend that the government emulate Quebec's strategy contained in Bill 66 to accelerate the construction of seniors' homes. Yesterday's announcement is an encouraging first step. Building seniors' residences in our communities would make it possible to house and protect our seniors while freeing up residences for all those on our long waiting lists.
We also need to accelerate the deployment of high-speed Internet access for all our communities. The health of our people depends on it, and future economic development will be facilitated.
Furthermore, in order to include us in the recovery, the government must make its current Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business mandatory—