CANPHA postbudget letter PMO - April2021[26]

We are collectively writing you today to express our extreme disappointment that the federal government did not include an urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing strategy in the 2021 federal Budget, and we stand in solidarity with the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Indigenous Caucus in stating our position that such a strategy needs to be introduced as soon as possible. [...] If this relationship is the most important to you and this government, then why, through multiple budgets and fiscal updates, has your government chosen to ignore the very mandate letters that you set for them? In the last two mandate letters, you have given clear direction to multiple ministers that an urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing strategy was a priority for your government. [...] Urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing leaders have worked closely with this government, appearing at committees, participating in roundtables, undertaking surveys, and having MPs from all parties join the CHRA Indigenous Caucus Day to better understand the needs of urban, rural, and northern Indigenous providers. [...] And yet, urban Indigenous housing providers have continued to commit to work in partnership with you and your government to ensure the housing needs of all Indigenous peoples in urban, rural, and northern areas are met. [...] Prime Minister, your government needs to join with urban Indigenous housing providers and the CHRA Indigenous Caucus at the table to ensure that all Indigenous peoples have a space to call home.