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 ...