NDP MPs call out Liberal government for their failure to address housing crisis in Indigenous communities

OTTAWA – In many Indigenous communities across Canada people are living in overcrowded, mouldy and generally unsuitable housing. Four years after the Prime Minister promised to deliver an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, people are still waiting. Today, the NDP’s Critic for Indigenous Services, Lori Idlout, and the Deputy Critic for Indigenous Services, Niki Ashton, sent a letter to the Minister calling on the Liberal government to keep their promise and address this housing crisis immediately.

“In Nunavut, one of the biggest problems people face is the lack of housing and the poor quality of housing that is available. Many houses are in desperate need of repair, are infested with mould and some have dozens of people living in them,” said Idlout. “These conditions mean that illnesses like COVID-19, Tuberculosis and other infections can spread more easily. The Liberal government needs to step up now and work with Indigenous leaders and communities to address this crisis.”

Indigenous Services Canada estimates an immediate on reserve need of 21,000 homes while another 50,000 homes require major repairs. The Liberal government have been promising a ‘For Indigenous, By Indigenous’ housing strategy for years to address the disproportionately high number of unhoused Indigenous people but, so far, they have nothing to show for it. In last month’s Throne Speech the Liberals failed to mention the long-promised strategy. Indigenous people can’t wait any longer for this government to back up their empty word with action.

New Democrats are calling for the Liberal work with Indigenous communities to address their specific needs in terms of new homes and necessary repairs. The NDP is also urging the Liberal government to keep their promise to deliver a ‘For Indigenous, By Indigenous’ housing strategy and improve the current rapid housing initiative program by increasing funding and making it more accessible to remote communities. Finally, NDP MPs are urging the government to establish an all-weather road system so that building materials can be shipped into communities on a regular basis to help with housing maintenance.

“This Liberal government has failed to take any concrete steps to address the housing crisis in Indigenous communities, including First Nations in northern Manitoba, for six years. The Prime Minister loves to talk about reconciliation while all the while letting Indigenous people live in deplorable conditions,” said Ashton. “Indigenous people deserve action now. This new Parliament must be an opportunity to work toward real, meaningful reconciliation and that means urgent action to end the housing crisis in Indigenous communities.”