Housing conditions in Nunatsiavut a 'human rights failure,' says federal housing advocate

Canada's first federal housing advocate is calling thehousing situationin Nunatsiavut the autonomous Inuit region in Labrador a human rights violation.

Marie-Jose Houletoured some Nunatsiavut communities, as well astowns in Nunavut, earlier this fall to get a first-hand glimpse ofhousing conditions for a report she's preparing for the federal government.

"Housing in the North is a reflection of an ongoinghuman rights failure that really does need urgent attention," Houle said Thursday.

"In Nunatsiavut the housing conditions were abominable. In some cases I still have nightmares. I worry very much personally about some people that we met who invited us into their homes."

Houle, who was appointed Canada's federal housing advocate in February, isoverseeing the implementation of the right to adequate housing across the country, which was declared, by law, in 2019 under the National Housing Strategy Act.

Sayingshe had never been to Canada's Inuit regions before, she calledthe experience eye-opening.

"Part of my role is direct engagement with people where they live and of course the focus on people who need housing the most," Houle said.

"People need something now. People are dying. It is a question of life and death for a lot of people, and this is the part that haunts me the most and certainly pushes all of us working in these spaces to keep working on this as fast as we possibly can. But we also need to get it right."

Brenna Jarrar,the Nunatsiavutgovernment's director of housing, tookHouleon thetour of Nain, Hopedale and Happy Valley-Goose Bay in October.

She said she agrees withHoule that the poorhousing conditions are a human rights violation,addingit has been that way for decades and that Nunatsiavut is too often overlooked.

"Beneficiaries of Nunatsiavuthave known that they've been living in conditions that are a violation of their dignity and their rights since colonization, since settlement, especially since the 1950s when people were forcibly relocated," JarrarsaidTuesday.

"It's really important that we make people look. I think what Nunatsiavut, what people live with, that is what Canada is. I think it's very ugly, I think it's an open wound that kind of reminds people of the ugly side of Canada and that colonial history. It makes people uncomfortable, but that's why you have to look at that."

This year's federalbudget promised an additional $11 billion over six years in spending to support Indigenous children, families and communities. Thatincludes$4 billion for housing over seven years.

LISTEN | Labrador Morning's full interview with federal housing advocateMarie-Jose Houle:

Jarrarsaid racism is at the heart of the long-standing housingproblem and why solutions are taking so long.

"The fact that we have to continue bringing people up here this isn't the only federal dignitary that has come up and done a tour," she said.

"There's been some investments and some improvements but certainly, having to continuously remind people of thecrisis, I think is also really degrading and demoralizing."

Houlesaid the funding isan important first step butcurrent levels of federal investments arenot going to be adequate.

She said she hopes to have her report completed by March but doesn't want to speak on behalf ofInuit communities.

"It'sabout self-determination. So it's certainly not appropriate that we speak for Inuitbut we need to support and echo their voices and their priorities," said Houle.

"Thisreport that I will be writing and concluding hopefullyby March willhave recommendations that are supported by Inuitgovernments that are going to be implementable."

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