With Trudeau’s government failing to provide safe housing for First Nations, Métis and Inuit, NDP calls for action

NUNAVUT— On Monday, after federal housing advocate Marie-Josee Houle accused the Trudeau government of failing to uphold Inuit’s right to housing, the NDP’s critic for Indigenous Services Lori Idlout (Nunavut) urged the federal government to take action to fix the housing crisis for First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the country.

Idlout is calling on Trudeau’s government to provide immediate funding to build and repair homes Indigenous communities desperately need.

“Houle has reiterated what Inuit have been saying for years, that they need urgent action to address the housing crisis. People in Nunavut and Labrador are living in overcrowded homes, getting sick with tuberculous, and using duct tape to repair their homes,” said Idlout.

“Housing is a human right, and this Liberal government isn’t providing the funding or the means to build or repair homes, and Indigenous communities across Canada are suffering as a result. Justin Trudeau continues to delay critical help and disappoint. And Pierre Poilievre won’t make matters any better—he will gut and cut the services Indigenous peoples rely on. We need action now, and New Democrats are fighting to fix the housing crisis for Indigenous people.”

Idlout has called on the Liberals to fulfill the government of Nunavut’s request of 250 million dollars for housing but they failed to provide any funding in their fall economic statement. Despite the NDP securing significant funding in the last federal budget for a for-Indigenous, by Indigenous housing strategy, the government did not provide any direct funding to territorial governments for housing, despite the dire situation Nunavummiut has been in.

“New Democrats won’t give up fighting for First Nations, Métis and Inuit. We can’t let this crisis get any worse,” said Idlout. “Where is the leadership from Trudeau to help? His government has made this crisis worse and worse by neglecting requests for action and now is failing to uphold basic human rights. Indigenous communities deserve to live in dignity.

“New Democrats will keep fighting until everyone has a safe, adequate roof over their head.”