Some of the main reasons why not enough houses are being built on First Nations reserves was discussed last night at a Senate committee meeting in Ottawa.
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples heard from Canada’s auditor general.
Michael Ferguson and his team outlined a number of observations and audits his office has performed over the years, and recapped many of the failures of Aboriginal Affairs, Health Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Agency in providing housing for First Nations.
Ferguson said that in 2003, Aboriginal Affairs estimated 8,500 houses were needed while 44% required renovations.
However, by 2008/2009, he noted just 30% of what was needed for new housing had been completed:
“This committee may wish to ask officials at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada whether their views regarding structural impediments remain unchanged and what the government would need to change — including directions, polices, and legislative reforms — in order to address these structural impediments.”
Ferguson says lack of clarity, legislation, an appropriate funding mechanism and organizations to support local service delivery are the impediments he means.
The committee members were also told that using contribution agreements for long-term infrastructure, like housing, is problematic at best.
Some of the suggestions to come out of the session included a proposal to begin looking at the problem on a reserve-by-reserve basis.
Senator Michael Tannas notes the government estimates there is a shortage of 40,000 houses, while the Assembly of First Nations believes it is closer to 80,000.
Tannas says “as depressing as it may be” and even though it may take a few years, it would make sense to try and come up with the actual number of homes that are needed.
Other agreed saying it would make sense to catalogue the situation on each reserve separately in order to come up with the true number.