Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, everyone, for the opportunity to come here with my officials to talk about what I think is a very important conversation, which is housing on first nations communities.
I'd first like to thank the Algonquin Anishinabe for allowing us to gather on this traditional and unceded territory.
This report of the Auditor General's, I think, underscores the importance of continuing to work with first nations in addressing the socio-economic gaps. This issue of housing, as you would know, Mr. Chair, isn't a recent issue. It's the product of decades of underfunding and a colonial system designed to exclude indigenous peoples from lands and from the economy. Therefore, it does take time to rectify and create the systemic changes that are needed to ensure that every first nations person has a safe place to rest their head, that communities have the autonomy they need to proceed in ways that make sense to them, and that their houses are able to host children and have families reach their full potential.
As we continue this work together to repair the deep harms of ongoing colonialism and to implement the Auditor General's recommendations, I'd like to make the point very clear that the issues pointed out in the report can be resolved only through the work of true partnership with indigenous people and the full self-determination of first nations. These are things that the federal government for a very long time has actually worked to undermine. That's why this government has been working hand in hand with first nations to close the housing gap referenced in the Auditor General's report, which the Assembly of First Nations estimated at $44 billion in 2021.
I thank the AFN for its important work in quantifying the gap and providing us with a starting point. We've used this gap analysis to inform our path forward. Together with the AFN, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and first nations across Canada, we've co-developed the national first nations housing and related infrastructure strategy, which provides us with a path forward to transferring the control and management of housing to first nations.
I see the job of the Indigenous Services minister and the Government of Canada as one that makes sure that communities have the support they need to do the work outlined in this strategy. I can say that last year, Indigenous Services Canada spent a historic amount on infrastructure. In fact, it was the most the department had ever spent, and we're on track to spend even more. Budget 2024 recently proposed $426 million over five years for first nations housing and related infrastructure on reserve, starting this year, on top of the amounts that are already allocated.
The work that we're undertaking is not just about numbers and increased investments. It's about the capacity building to support self-determination and continued work to transfer the care and control of housing to first nations, because, as I've said, they know best how to meet their housing needs.
For example, since 2020, Indigenous Services Canada has provided over $3 million to the First Nations Housing Professionals Association. This money is training community members on project management, construction planning, tenant relations, and renovation and repair coordination. They've certified 48 housing professionals. There are an additional 151 people in training. This will build housing capacity in first nations communities across the country.
Another example is in my own hometown of Thunder Bay, where Indigenous Services Canada supports the indigenous skilled trades training program in its partnership with Hammarskjold High School, where students learn construction skills and build tiny homes that are then donated to Matawa First Nations.
I had an opportunity to visit Hammarskjold and meet with some of the students involved in that project. In fact, one of those students is now on my youth council. It's truly an inspirational project. This program not only helps students build new skills but also connects them to a career in the skilled trades, which is something that, as many of us know from other committees and work, we desperately need.
We're also supporting the transfer of housing and infrastructure services at a pace that is set by first nations-led organizations. For example, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq signed a framework agreement with Indigenous Services Canada in October 2023 to assume control of the design, management, provision and delivery of their housing and infrastructure programs.
I believe, Mr. Chair, that this is the path we need to maintain. In the spirit of reconciliation, the time has passed when the Government of Canada tells first nations what to do. Rather, it works with first nations communities not only to build homes, but to build the capacity and transfer services to help communities move on to other economic development opportunities that can meet the needs of their growing populations.
Thank you for having me today, Mr. Chair.
I'm very happy to take your questions.
