Housing on First Nation Reserves: Challenges and Successes

February 17, 2015

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples tabled its interim report today entitled Housing on First Nation Reserves: Challenges and Successes. The interim report provides an overview of what senators heard and saw during the first phase of a two-part study of on-reserve infrastructure. The report identifies the many challenges faced by communities and highlights innovative practices that have helped some First Nations meet the housing needs of their communities in exemplary ways.

The committee is currently in the second phase of its study focusing on community infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and sewer systems. The committee is exploring innovative financing options to meet housing and infrastructure needs. At the conclusion of phase two, the committee will table a report with recommendations.

Quick Facts

• During the housing phase of the study, the committee held 21 meetings in Ottawa and a day of public hearings in Thunder Bay.
• The committee travelled to 16 First Nations communities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia to conduct fact-finding activities.

“This report documents what we heard, and identifies the important issues that witnesses raised with us. What we heard and saw in communities will inform our continued deliberation. In our final report, we intend to propose significant recommendations rooted in an accurate understanding of the housing and infrastructure challenges facing First Nations communities.”

Chair
Dennis Patterson

“Our committee extends sincere thanks to all the witnesses, community members and leaders who took the time to share their stories, challenges and innovative ideas during hearings and site visits. And to all those people who opened the doors of their homes to us so that we might see first-hand the challenges faced, we are grateful for the welcome we received.”

Deputy Chair
Lillian Eva Dyck

Associated Links

5 Things Canadians Should Know About Senate Committees
Learn more about the Senate Aboriginal Peoples Committee and its work.
Follow the work of the Senate of Canada on Twitter @SenateCA or use the hashtag #SenCA.
For committee updates on Twitter use the hashtag #APPA .

SK5