Status of Women Committee on Feb. 17th, 2011

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm going to call the meeting to order. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), this committee is doing a study on violence against aboriginal women.

We are looking at the root causes of that violence, the extent of the violence, and the nature of the violence. By that, we mean not just domestic violence but societal violence--if there's any present generic violence of any other kind. The nature of the violence means whether it is psychological, physical, sexual...there are different types of violence. Or is it in fact discrimination, which is in itself a major form of violence against people, especially if it's racism?

Having said that, I'm hoping that we will be able to get our witnesses to speak to some of those issues.

Many of you here know how this works. There's going to be a seven-minute presentation. I will give you a two-minute and a one-minute signal, because if we don't do that, we have so many presenters that we won't have any time for questions. After those presentations there will be a question and answer period in which you can expand on some of the things you may not have been able to say in your seven-minute presentation.

We will begin with the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development and Barbara Lawless.

[Barbara Lawless, Director General, Homelessness Partnering Secretariat, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Good morning.

Thank you for the invitation to speak to this issue. My focus today will be to describe the federal government's homelessness partnering strategy and how it contributes to addressing the needs of aboriginal women off reserve who are homeless or at risk of being homeless due to domestic violence.

Homelessness is a complex and multi-faceted issue with numerous contributing factors, such as low income, mental health and substance abuse challenges, a lack of affordable housing, and family violence and conflict.

Combinations of these factors often lead an individual or family into homelessness, rather than a single trigger. While it is difficult to determine an accurate count of the homeless population across Canada, we do know from homeless counts undertaken in various cities that aboriginal people are overrepresented among the homeless population and that aboriginal women are often overrepresented in the female homeless population.

As well, research indicates that aboriginal women may be at higher risk of homelessness because many of the common risk factors are more prevalent among aboriginal women—factors such as low wages and family violence. We also know that this issue is not exclusive to large urban centres but is also evident in small communities across Canada and in the north.

Because of its complex nature, a collaborative approach involving many different partners is often needed to address the challenge of homelessness. In response to this, the Government of Canada adopted the homelessness partnering strategy in 2007: a community-based approach that brings together a range of partners at the local level to identify issues and find local solutions.

The strategy provides funding directly to communities to support their efforts in working collaboratively with their partners, efforts that will help homeless individuals move toward greater autonomy and self-sufficiency, and to prevent those at risk of homelessness from becoming homeless. This approach recognizes that communities have unique issues and priorities that are best addressed at the local level, with local partners.

The result is a community-based approach that has been successful in strengthening the capacity of communities to address homelessness and leveraging funds and community resources from other key players, such as other levels of government and the private sector.

How does the strategy work? The strategy has seven funding streams, three of which are delivered regionally through Service Canada. I will speak to some of these.

The designated communities funding stream, which is $83.7 million annually, is the main component of the homelessness partnering strategy. This stream funds projects in 61 designated communities, primarily major urban centres identified as having a significant problem with homelessness. The funds are targeted to local priorities identified by the community through a comprehensive community planning process that requires broad consultation and consensus at the local level, involving a range of stakeholders.

This approach is meant to ensure that communities are positioned to leverage resources to the greatest extent possible. It is through this process that local issues related to homelessness resulting from violence against aboriginal women can be raised as funding priorities.

The aboriginal homelessness funding stream, which is $14.3 million annually, recognizes the overrepresentation of aboriginal people among the homeless and at-risk populations. While not required, many aboriginal community partners develop community plans to guide their decision-making and project selection. Similarly, through these processes, issues related to homelessness and violence against women can be raised.

The rural and remote homelessness funding stream, which is $5.6 million annually, is designed to respond to the underserved homelessness needs in non-designated rural and remote communities, including the north. Communities with populations of 25,000 and under are the main priority for funding.

It should be noted that projects funded under the designated communities and the rural and remote communities funding streams often target the needs of aboriginal people living off reserve and experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Let me now speak to some of the results. Since 2007, 57 projects valued at just over $27 million, and funded through the three regionally delivered streams previously mentioned, have targeted aboriginal women exclusively, and a number of these address the needs of aboriginal women who are homeless due to violence.

As well, through national program spending, we have seen the needs of aboriginal women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless being addressed through the transfer of federal properties for projects that support victims of domestic violence, through the funding of research projects related to aboriginal women and/or violence, and through working with other federal departments and agencies to explore new ways to address homelessness.

The homelessness partnering strategy will ensure that the government continues to assist Canadians who are homeless, including aboriginal women, by building on the strengths of a community-based approach that engages a broad spectrum of partners to identify local priorities and leverage resources for local solutions.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Ms. Lawless.

Now I'll go to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

I have Gail Mitchell and Michael Rice.

Will you be sharing your time or will one of you be making the presentation?

[Gail Mitchell, Director General, Community Infrastructure Branch, Regional Operations Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

I'll be making the presentation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Ms. Mitchell, you have seven minutes.

[Gail Mitchell]

Thank you.

Bonjour. I'd like to thank you for inviting me to attend today and speak on the issue of aboriginal housing and first nations women.

Aboriginal women represent a very significant portion of the Canadian population. According to the 2006 census, there are over 100,000 first nations women aged 15 and over living on reserve.

I'll keep my remarks short.

In terms of housing, all Canadians obviously need safe, adequate, and affordable housing, and we recognize that for aboriginal Canadians this is often a challenge. There are aboriginal women and children in need of transition housing, to allow them the opportunity to remove themselves from violence in their homes, as well as permanent housing, which will provide the healthy environment needed to allow them to fulfill their potential.

The federal government's responsibility and involvement in aboriginal housing differ on reserve, off reserve, and in the territories. We've heard a bit already about initiatives related to homelessness, and we'll be hearing from CMHC on their role vis-à-vis aboriginal housing issues.

In short, in terms of overall on-reserve expenditures annually, there are expenditures of $290 million, with $155 million of that coming from Indian and Northern Affairs programming and approximately $135 million from CMHC. This annual contribution supports renovations to approximately 3,600 units out of a total stock of approximately 105,000 on-reserve units, We also support the construction of new units--around 2,300 per year--and other housing-related activities.

To support first nations in need of transitional housing, INAC does support a program to fund shelters on reserve through a family violence prevention program. Currently, the program provides funding to a network of 41 shelters and supports community-based violence prevention projects that contribute to enhanced safety and security of on-reserve residents, particularly women and children.

As part of Canada's economic action plan, the government provided an additional $400 million over two years for social housing, for construction, remediation, and lot servicing and to assist in the transition to market-based housing. Of this $400 million, Indian and Northern Affairs has allocated $150 million for first nations over the two years. In 2009-10, close to 2,000 units were built or renovated, nearly 600 lots were serviced—which means they're prepared for future construction—and close to 825 jobs were created. The remaining $250 million was allocated to CMHC for its programming.

Although the federal government supports housing on reserve, this funding doesn't generally cover the entire cost. First nations do share in the responsibility of providing housing in their communities and are required to identify and obtain necessary additional funding from other sources. Off reserve and in the territories, provincial and territorial governments hold responsibility for housing; however, Canada's economic action plan did dedicate $200 million to the territories for social housing renovation and new construction. This built on a commitment from budget 2006 that had seen $300 million for housing in the north and also established a $300-million fund for aboriginal housing off reserve.

While housing conditions of some aboriginal people have improved in the past decades, others are living in poor conditions such as overcrowded homes and homes needing major repair. This is clearly an issue that affects women and this is particularly true on reserve.

In 2006, 26% of first nations people living on reserve lived in crowded conditions. Overcrowded housing is a serious concern throughout the north and on reserve, especially for Inuit living in the northern regions spanning the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, and Labrador. In that region, more than 15,000 Inuit—38% of the total population—lived in crowded conditions.

But for all the challenges, there have been some housing successes, and aboriginal women have been at the forefront of much of the success. I'd like to take a minute or two, if I have the time, to discuss some of these with you.

One promising development is the emergence in the last decade of several housing associations: aboriginal housing associations that support the delivery and management of housing on reserve. These networks actively support their members and each other. INAC and CMHC have been pleased to assist in funding some of these organizations and their activities.

The First Nations National Housing Managers Association was established in 2007. Its mission is to promote and enhance the professional development of housing managers, to create a central professional network for sharing best practices, and to be a centralized source of information.

Many on-reserve housing managers are aboriginal women, and INAC is providing capacity development workshops and one-on-one coaching to help them manage and develop their housing portfolios. INAC staff have had the opportunity to meet with many of the housing managers, and it's clear that these people are often the housing champions who create community successes.

In 2010-11 INAC provided project funding to Piikani first nation in Alberta to develop a long-term comprehensive housing plan. Working in partnership with federal partners, the primarily female staff of the Piikani Nation Housing Authority has dramatically improved conditions and availability of housing within their community.

Another positive trend is that first nation communities are linking housing renovations and new construction to skills training and job creation. Aboriginal women have participated both as developers of these opportunities and as recipients of the training and jobs. For example, INAC has supported a women-in-trades project in a community called Onion Lake. In 2010, 27 community members received training in carpentry and heavy equipment operation. The program continues to grow.

There are off-reserve success stories as well. Provincial chapters of the Canadian Real Estate Association in Alberta and Manitoba have worked to augment and improve access to home ownership and housing.

In conclusion, aboriginal women should have the same access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing as all Canadian women. We realize there is much left to be done, but we are seeing some promising trends in housing, with aboriginal women playing a key role in meeting this objective.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

Now I'd like to hear from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Ms. Matthews.

[Sharon Matthews, Vice-President, Assisted Housing Sector, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation]

Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the committee.

I'm very pleased to be here on behalf of CMHC to discuss housing as it relates to violence against women.

A key part of CMHC's mandate is to work with our provincial, territorial, and non-governmental partners, as well as the private sector, to help Canadians from all walks of life access quality affordable homes. CMHC's assisted housing initiatives are designed to help some of the most vulnerable in society, including women who are victims of domestic violence.

As we all know, safe, affordable housing is a foundation for healthy living and a building block for success in many other areas, including personal relationships, community engagement, education, and the labour market. The federal government, through CMHC, invested $7 billion annually at one point so that 620,000 low-income households living in existing social housing could continue to live in safe, affordable homes.

I might add that about 60% of those living in the existing social housing stock are estimated to be women and girls.

CMHC also supports the creation of new social housing through the affordable housing initiative. The provinces and territories design and deliver these housing programs and also match the federal investment. We also provide a suite of renovation programs to help lower-income households repair their properties. These programs are directed and delivered by the provinces and territories or occasionally directly delivered by CMHC.

CMHC also has a team of experts dedicated to advancing affordable housing solutions across the country. Through that team, we provide non-profit and church groups, private developers, and others seeking to develop local housing solutions with access to a comprehensive range of affordable housing information, tools, and resources that could help them make their vision a reality. Like all Canadians, aboriginal women and families living off reserve have access to these initiatives.

CMHC, however, also has a specific mandate to work with Indian and Northern Affairs to help address housing needs of first nations people living on reserves. As my colleague has just said, CMHC spends about $135 million annually to support housing on reserve. This includes funding to renovate existing housing units as well as ongoing subsidies under the on-reserve non-profit housing program, which we usually reference as the section 95 program.

Canada's economic action plan also provides for significant investments in social housing, including $400 million over two years for housing on reserve. CMHC is responsible for delivering $250 million of this. As a result of this federal investment, first nations across Canada have been able to significantly improve the housing conditions of their community members.

A further $200 million in economic action plan funding has been earmarked to support renovation and construction of housing in the north, where there are large aboriginal populations. Improving the quality and availability of social housing both on and off reserve can have a direct impact on preventing violence against women.

However, it's also very important to provide safe havens for those in need when family violence does occur. Here, too, CMHC does have a role through our shelter enhancement program, part of our overall suite of renovation programs. This program offers financial assistance for the renovation of existing shelters or for the creation/acquisition of new shelters and second-stage housing for victims of family violence, both on and off reserve. Federal funding under the affordable housing initiative that I previously mentioned can also be used for the development of transitional and second-stage housing.

Federal funding for shelter units has made a difference. One example would be Fort Albany First Nation, located on the west coast of James Bay in northern Ontario and accessible only by air and the winter ice road. In 2008, CMHC provided the band council with funding of just over $800,000 to build five new shelter units. Vulnerable aboriginal women in this isolated community now have a place to go when they have a specific need.

The shelter enhancement program also provides assistance to non-profits or charities that house victims of family violence off reserve. These shelters are also available, as I said, to aboriginal women.

Another example would be the YWCA's residence in Regina that offers safe and affordable housing to women, including aboriginal women. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan jointly provided about $1.8 million in funding through the affordable housing initiative and through the shelter enhancement program to renovate and expand this 53-bed residence.

The federal government is one of many partners working to address this very complex and serious issue. Housing funding from CMHC makes it possible for communities to respond more effectively to the needs of women in crisis. Whether these women are accessing the 620,000 units of existing social housing or living in transitional housing or shelters built or renovated with federal funding, it all makes a difference on the ground and contributes to the broader solution.

Thank you again for this opportunity. I welcome any questions that the committee might have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

Now we'll go to the National Aboriginal Housing Association, with Charles Hill, who is the executive director, and Jim Lanigan.

Mr. Hill.

[Charles Hill, Executive Director, National Aboriginal Housing Association]

Thank you for the invitation to speak. As you can see, we're not women, but half of our people are women.

I'm the executive director for the National Aboriginal Housing Association. With me is Jim Lanigan, who is the treasurer of the association.

NAHA was set up in 1994 in response to the cap that was put on new social housing units by the federal government in 1993-94. We are an advocacy organization. We do not receive any funding from anyone. We've been hobbling along on a small budget derived from our membership and from contracts we've been doing, but we are committed to the ideas of representation and of housing people.

In this—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Excuse me. It's very difficult to hear the witness. Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Hill.

[Charles Hill]

With regard to representation, it's essential that we have aboriginal control over our affairs, and that brings to mind the Native Women's Association of Canada, which is an active participant on behalf of aboriginal women. We do work hand in glove with a number of various organizations such as that, but I think there should be dedicated funding so that the representation can be increased and help us drive forward in a holistic manner.

On the figures that were cited earlier, I just wanted to speak briefly to those. NAHA did a study based on the 2006 census, which we released in 2009. The findings there confirm that three-quarters of the aboriginal people are not on reserve. With regard to the overall figures, the numbers that have been cited, our calculation is that there are some 450,000 aboriginal women in Canada. The figures I have are derived from older censuses, but there were some 800,000 people, and 51% were women. In the 2006 census, there were 1,172,000 people who identified as aboriginal. If 51% of the people are women, that's where I come up with the figure of 450,000.

There are any number of studies that have been conducted with regard to violence towards women, and there are a few that have been directed towards violence towards aboriginal women. Sisters in Spirit is one of the organizations that has been vocal in advocating that greater attention be paid to aboriginal women who are recipients of violence. I want to say that they are doing a very good job, but there is still a lot of resistance.

Part of the paper that I presented to the committee speaks to the reasons for the violence initially, but I think the basic reason is poverty. We have been excluded over the years from participation in the economic industry or whatever of Canada, and until I was 14 years old, legally I was not able to leave the reserve without a pass. So we were confined, we were excluded legally, and now the opposite tack has been taken, where I think there's an effort to assimilate us.

My sister beside me mentions that there are shelters that are available to aboriginal women, but there's the cultural affinity that is absent. This does prevent a lot of our women from participating in the mainstream shelters. I think racism and cultural differentiation continue to exist, so this is why I spoke earlier of aboriginal control over aboriginal housing--and in this case, aboriginal shelters.

I want Mr. Lanigan to speak briefly to the local...but before I do that, I want to go through the recommendations that I attached to the tail end of my report.

There needs to be additional funding: financial resources to help local urban aboriginal housing providers acquire additional housing units--plain and simple. There is a paucity of housing right across Canada, and this affects families, which include, of course, men and women. It also helps to address poverty.

In this regard, in 2006, a couple of years ago, the federal government provided $300 million to the non-reserve population. This was one of the good steps that was put in place. It was very beneficial. In many of the provinces, the funding was turned over to aboriginal organizations for administration, so this is the model I'm suggesting that we pursue going into the future, because it does provide a lot of benefit and also a chance for us, through home ownership, to acquire some wealth.

We need to provide resources to enable aboriginal organizations to establish and operate increased numbers of shelters in a culturally sensitive atmosphere and to enable the establishment and operation of more second-stage housing for those in transition from imprisonment. If I had more time, I'd speak at greater length to second-stage housing. Except on one occasion, I've never heard that mentioned: that we need to pay attention to the people who are being released from prison.

We need to recognize that the most benefit for aboriginal women can be achieved through service provided by aboriginal women. We need to continue to use a holistic approach and sensitivity to enable aboriginal women to retain and maintain custody of their children. This is one of the key elements that has to be addressed.

We need to provide resources for training and life skills, both pre-employment and employment, and general counselling to help aboriginal women become established and regain control over their lives, training and counselling to be given at the local level.

In this context, I'd ask Mr. Lanigan to speak for a minute.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Lanigan, we're now over time, but because some people were under time, I think we've been able to grab an extra minute, so I'll give you an extra minute.

[Jim Lanigan, Treasurer, National Aboriginal Housing Association]

Thank you very much.

First I want to mention that the National Aboriginal Housing Association member corporations administer some 10,000 units of rent-geared-to-income housing across Canada. This housing exists in most major cities.

One always wonders how the work of national associations translates into housing for people at the local level. This is particularly important, so I wanted to briefly mention the work of the Gignul Non-Profit Housing Corporation here in the city of Ottawa as an example of how we operate and of what we do to try to make assisted and affordable housing more accessible to aboriginal women.

Gignul has been in operation since 1985 and administers 162 units of rent-geared-to-income housing in 73 buildings across the former five municipalities that now make up Ottawa. It also administers a seniors' lodge that is home to a number of seniors here in the city.

In looking at our application process, we try to give priority where priority is necessary. Because we have an active waiting list of about 200 people and a period of time of at least a year to wait for housing, we prioritize our housing. Over the last few years, we've prioritized our housing to try to address the needs of single-parent mothers and also the needs of students who are enrolled in advanced education. We do have a point system that prioritizes on the basis of need.

The result of this process is that, of the tenants we now house, 52% are women: single women and/or single women with children. So there is a direct relationship to the effort, and we're trying to make that work for us.

We're very collaborative. We're linked to the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and we work closely with the urban aboriginal strategy to try to ensure that the resources dedicated to and available for the area are used effectively. This has been very useful for us in terms of establishing a type of community governance.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Mr. Lanigan.

If you look at your video conference screens, you will see that we now have with us Mr. Barriault, from the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

[Alain Barriault, President, Nunavut Housing Corporation]

Thank you very much for the opportunity to appear before your committee today.

Are you getting this reception?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Loud and clear.

[Alain Barriault]

Technology is working. That's wonderful.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Absolutely, even in the far north.

[Alain Barriault]

That's great.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation was established pre-division as the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation in approximately 1972 by the territorial government, through recognition that housing was a priority concern and, as such, deserved some undivided attention. The business of the Nunavut Housing Corporation is mainly administered through local housing organizations established in each of the 25 communities that comprise Nunavut. In most cases, these organizations were in place prior to the formation of organized municipal governments, so they are well established as client service providers to address the residential housing needs of Nunavummiut.

Nunavut, to put it in context, comprises roughly 34,000 people in population, spread among 25 isolated communities that have no road or rail access, over a land mass that is 1.9 million square kilometres. That's double the size of Ontario, for 20% of Canada's land mass, and it covers three time zones. So we have some logistical challenges in providing our services.

Populations in these isolated communities range from 140 to 2,310, with the largest community being Iqaluit, the capital city, with a population of 6,740, based on the last census. The Government of Nunavut is the principal supplier of the 9,400 residential dwelling units in the territory. The number of dwellings per community ranges from 60 to 800 in most communities, with the largest number again being in Iqaluit, with 2,560 dwellings.

The Government of Nunavut, through the Nunavut Housing Corporation, currently maintains approximately 4,400 public housing rent-geared-to-income units, of which 4,170 are owned by the Nunavut Housing Corporation and 264 are leased. We also manage 1,350 government staff housing units. Roughly 250 of those are owned by the Nunavut Housing Corporation and 1,100 are leased. As well, we hold mortgages for 500 homeowners through a variety of home ownership support programs.

This represents over 65% of Nunavut's total residential housing stock. That's quite a different picture than you would see in most Canadian jurisdictions. Owner-occupied dwellings represent only approximately 20% of all housing. As well, government staff housing comprises a sizable portion of the housing stock, especially in the regional centres. There is, especially outside the capital city of Iqaluit, practically a non-existent private rental market.

So the numbers I'm presenting to you are in effect demonstrating the lack of housing options in most communities. They're very limited in the capital city, but in the smaller isolated communities there are even fewer housing options besides what is provided by government.

We have benefited greatly from a federal influx of housing dollars to build with and to add to our portfolio and our stock. Through the Northern Housing Trust, $200 million was provided to Nunavut, and we now are at the completion of building 725 new public housing rent-geared-to-income units. Under Canada's economic action plan, another $100 million was made available to Nunavut, and 285 new public housing units are being built as a result of this. So our owned public housing stock will grow to approximately 4,650 as a result of this influx, which comprises basically a 30% increase in our public housing stock.

In partnership with the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics and Statistics Canada, we've just recently completed a Nunavut housing needs survey. This was done on a census basis in 24 of the 25 communities and on a sample basis in Iqaluit. This comprised a total of 75 local interviewers being hired. That way, every building used as a residence was able to be identified and included in the survey.

Of all occupied dwellings, 35% are considered crowded, as per these results. This is compared to 6% when looking at all of Canada, based on the 2006 census. The lowest overcrowding is in Grise Fiord, a community of 140 people, but overcrowding still remains at 15% in these units. The second-lowest overcrowding number is in Iqaluit, at 20%.

The largest problem is among the public housing units: 50% of public housing units are deemed to be overcrowded, based on national housing standards. These public housing units comprise more than 50% of all residential housing in Nunavut. Of the people in public housing who are considered overcrowded, 2,990 family groups indicated that they would move out into another home if alternative housing were available. Again, Nunavut's main problem is one of lack of supply. Based on the 2006 census, compared to 7% for all of Canada, 23% of households indicated a need for major repair.

For homeowners in small communities, one of the mitigating factors is a lack of local contractors.... If the majority of the housing in these communities is comprised of public housing, which is administered and maintained through local housing organizations, then there is a very small pool of homeowners from which a contractor could draw to try to make his business viable. So many community contractors do not see this as being a viable business and they do not establish and continue.

So in looking at the two factors of adequacy and suitability, 49% of housing in Nunavut is either crowded or in need of major repairs. Based on the waiting list, on the public housing waiting list currently there are 3,780 people.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Barriault, can you wrap it up, please? We've gone over time on your presentation. You will get a chance to expand when you are asked questions.

[Alain Barriault]

I'm just about at the end. Okay.

So effectively we have a high waiting list. We have a high construction cost. We have 4% of the population indicating that they are temporary residents without a usual home elsewhere. So people are effectively considered homeless due to lack of alternatives. They may have the means to pay rent, but there are no houses available to rent.

So in Nunavut, affordability of units is not so much the problem as it is a lack of units. Public housing and government staff housing are considered affordable; however, there is just an insufficient quantity. And the lack of a private rental market means there are very few options available, so women in situations of violence cannot move into another unit because they are simply not available. That's where the pressure is coming from.

Thank you very much. I'd be pleased to take your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Mr. Barriault. That was very interesting.

Now we're going to move to the question and answer period. The first round is going to be a seven-minute round, which means the seven minutes are for both questions and answers, so if everyone can be succinct in their questions and succinct in their answers, we'll get to move on. I am going to have to stop you if you go over time.

The first questioner is Ms. Neville for the Liberals.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thanks to all of you for being here this morning.

This is a really important topic. As I'm listening to each of you, from your very different perspectives and communities, what has just struck me, particularly in listening to the presentation from Nunavut, is that there is a real housing crisis, which we've heard about anecdotally as we've travelled the country, but you are confirming it to us here.

I have a lot of questions.

Let me just begin by asking Ms. Mitchell, in terms of INAC, do you have both targets and inventories of housing requirements in different communities across the country?

[Gail Mitchell]

I should point out the role that INAC plays in supporting first nations. We provide funding to enable the communities to deliver housing to their members. So we do maintain an inventory, to the extent that communities report on the data about available housing in communities, and we do try to align the financial support that we provide, to some extent, with the need. But we know that the need is far greater than the financial—