Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Access to safe and affordable housing is critical to improving health and social outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and to ensuring a strong future for their communities and children.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, announced historic new investments of $34 million over seven years from Budget 2022 that will be distributed to four Métis communities in the Northwest Territories to help respond to urgent housing needs. Specifically, Budget 2022 investments will be allocated as follows:

• $20 million to the Northwest Territories Métis Nation
• $7 million to the North Slave Métis Alliance
• $3.5 million to the Fort Simpson Métis Council
• $3.5 million to the Fort Providence Métis Council

Through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada is investing $4.3 billion over seven years, starting in 2022–2023, to improve and expand Indigenous housing in Canada, including $190 million to Métis. This builds on the $8 million in critical infrastructure and housing for Northwest Territories Métis communities from Budget 2021.

Through Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, Canada is working with Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners to identify immediate and long-term priorities for the North, including the urgent need to address housing gaps in northern and Indigenous communities.

Quotes

“A home is more than just a structure. It’s a place of refuge — of safety — where we gather with friends and family, share a meal, or simply escape the elements. Access to safe, quality, and affordable housing for families builds strong, healthy communities, and our government has been working together with Métis partners to determine how to better respond to their housing needs. This investment is a positive step towards closing the housing gap for Métis in the Northwest Territories, that meets their needs. We are committed to working closely with Métis governments and institutions, provinces and territories, and local governments on innovative, community-led solutions to address housing supply now and in the years to come.”

The Honourable Daniel Vandal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for CanNor, and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan

“Across the Northwest Territories, improving access to housing is a top priority, especially in Indigenous communities. Today’s announcement of targeted funds for Métis in the Northwest Territories shows the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to responding to housing needs as determined by Indigenous partners for their communities.”

Michael McLeod
Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

“This funding is truly a milestone initiative by the Government of Canada in recognition of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation’s status as a self-government body. As a self-governing body, the NWTMN will be making every effort to engage the membership and design programs that truly reflect Métis values and strengthens our distinctiveness as Indigenous Métis of the Northwest Territories.”

Garry Bailey, President
Northwest Territory Métis Nation