Evidence of meeting #12 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was president.
A video is available from Parliament.
2 p.m.
NDP
Lori Idlout NDP Nunavut, NU
[Member spoke in Inuktitut, interpreted as follows:]
Thank you.
I'd like both of you to reply to this question. The mandate letter for the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion outlines a commitment to create a national indigenous housing centre with indigenous partners. Can you talk more about it? What do you think of it? Do you think a national indigenous housing centre is needed? Should it exist, and if not, why not?
2 p.m.
Councillor, Sechelt Indian Band
Yes. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Lori, for your question. I appreciate the opportunity to comment.
I would definitely need to become knowledgeable about what they would want to provide and how they would provide it, in what fashion, to all nations across Canada. If it's going to be of benefit for the communities, definitely, but if it's going to be just another level of application, I don't think I could support that.
2 p.m.
President, Nisga'a Lisims Government
Thank you for the question.
For me, the creation of a national indigenous housing group would be not very good—I say this with all due respect—because every indigenous nation has their own unique housing needs. When you think about the national housing institution, it would require funding. If it requires funding, you'd be cutting into the housing funds that would go to indigenous people.
2 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.
That concludes our panel today.
President Clayton and Councillor Paul, thank you for your testimony today and for answering our questions. You've provided us with some very important insights. We very much appreciate it.
This concludes the first part of the meeting.
I will now suspend the meeting.
Those attending the meeting virtually have been given the link that will allow them to join us for the second part of the meeting, to be held in camera.
We'll be back in a few minutes.
Thank you again, President Clayton and Councillor Paul.
[Proceedings continue in camera]