Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Comité permanent des ressources humaines, du développement des compétences, du développement social et de la condition des personnes handicapées

For immediate release

Ottawa, May 26, 2021 -

Today, Sean Casey, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities presented the Committee’s fifth report in the House of Commons. The study, co-sponsored by London West MP Kate Young and Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan focused on the need for housing for Indigenous people living in urban, rural and northern communities. “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and this study underscores that Indigenous people living off reserve require access to safe, affordable housing that is consistent with their needs and culture and is led by their own communities. This report serves as a roadmap to show how a “by Indigenous - for Indigenous” housing strategy can be created to continue our efforts to ensure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.” said Kate Young, London West M.P.

Entitled Indigenous Housing: The Direction Home, the report follows a motion adopted by the Committee on 9 October 2020 to “investigate and make recommendations on the challenges and systemic barriers facing Indigenous People and Indigenous housing providers in northern, urban, and rural communities across Canada.” The motion further outlined the focus of the study on “urban, northern and rural providers” with a view to “identify the gaps” in the federal government’s “current policies in addressing homelessness and the precarious housing crisis facing Indigenous People in urban, rural and northern communities across Canada.” The study primarily focused on Indigenous peoples living off-reserve, although the Committee did hear about the housing challenges on-reserve from some organizations and First Nations communities.

The Committee’s report is based on oral and written testimony provided by a variety of witnesses between November 2020 and February 2021, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, First Nations communities, academics, and federal government representatives. As part of its study, the Committee adopted a motion requesting the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) to prepare a report that included the cost of addressing Indigenous housing needs and homelessness through different policy options. The PBO’s report was released on 11 February 2021.

The Committee’s report notes that many Indigenous peoples living off reserve lack access to safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing which impacts their health and well-being. The Committee finds that Indigenous peoples living off-reserve are best placed to address the housing needs and priorities of their people and communities. Effective housing initiatives are Indigenous-led and support wrap-around services in areas such as health and employment. However, the Committee finds that Indigenous service providers in urban, rural, and northern areas often lack adequate, long-term, and sustainable funding. The report makes nine recommendations to support Indigenous-led housing initiatives, including the co-development of an urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing strategy and an Urban, Rural, and Northern Housing Centre with a mandate, role and responsibilities developed by Indigenous peoples, communities and organizations.

The Committee is composed of 12 Members of Parliament. It is chaired by Sean Casey (Charlottetown) and its vice-chairs are Louise Chabot (Thérèse-De Blainville) and Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul). The other committee members are: Han Dong (Don Valley North); Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords—Lloydminster); Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre); Wayne Long (Saint John—Rothesay); Corey Tochor (Saskatoon—University); Ryan Turnbull (Whitby); Adam Vaughan (Spadina—Fort York); Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon); and Kate Young (London West).