“The housing in the Atikamekw community of Manawan is crowded, dirty, and making people sick. Why does the government keep underfunding Indigenous housing?”

“Mr. Speaker, Amnesty International has denounced the inhumane housing crisis that the Atikamekw nation of Manawan is experiencing. In Manawan, as many as 23 people may be crammed into housing that is often unsanitary. These conditions contribute to the spread of respiratory illnesses. They hinder children’s development, their academic success, and even their basic needs. They exacerbate domestic violence. In short, these are unacceptable living conditions that would never be tolerated anywhere else. Why does the government continue to allow the underfunding of indigenous housing to leave communities in these conditions?”

“Indigenous communities still do not have enough safe housing. In Quebec alone, they need ten thousand new homes and thousands of repairs. The government promised to fix this by 2030. I want to know when the government will work with communities on a real plan to get it done.”

“Mr. Speaker, the indigenous housing crisis has been denounced for decades by every community. It is not just a matter of housing. It is also a matter of human rights, education, health, safety and dignity. It has been five years since the government took on an obligation under international law to address this crisis. The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador has already calculated that there is a shortage of 10,000 housing units in Quebec alone, not to mention the fact that 8,000 housing units need to be renovated and 4,000 others need to be decontaminated. The federal government promised that this would be fixed by 2030. When will they work with communities to come up with a predictable and achievable plan?”