As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That all federal policy or legislative proposals relating to Indigenous housing be co‑developed with Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations on-reserve, self‑governing and modern treaty nations, northern First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, Metis settlements, and organizations that represent urban Indigenous People.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada, recognizing that housing is a critically important social determinant of health, work with Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, as well as provincial, territorial and municipal partners, to immediately develop and implement culturally appropriate measures to mitigate the health, social, educational and economic impacts of the housing crisis on Indigenous People chiefly through the provision of more housing to alleviate the systemic overcrowding conditions; and that particular attention be paid to the impacts on Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people so that the necessary wrap-around care is provided.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada continue to address the 231 Calls for Justice in the National Inquiry’s Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, and that particular attention be paid to the 10 calls for improving access to housing for Indigenous women and that housing has impacts on Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people, and incorporate the wrap-around care that is required.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, as well as with its provincial and territorial counterparts, to explore opportunities and solutions to address the rising costs of building materials and higher costs of housing in remote and northern areas, including considerations for shipping materials by sealift.

Recommendation 5

That the federal government collaborate with Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey partners to explore the implementation of their inherent right to harvest timber on traditional lands for domestic use as ruled by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006, assess the role that this right, once implemented, could have in addressing the housing deficits on reserve in Atlantic Canada, and examine funding mechanisms which could be used to support the provision of the infrastructure and skilled training necessary for Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey communities to successfully participate in the lumber industry.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada identify and remove restrictive land ownership policies on reserves if possible and with the free, prior and informed consent of the First Nations community.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada, recognizing that housing cannot be built without developable land and adequate public infrastructure, commit to implementing, in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations, the recommendations related to infrastructure contained in the committee’s report on the barriers to economic development in Indigenous communities.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada, in providing funding for housing, take into consideration the rapid growth of First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations, and the increasing population on First Nations reserves resulting from changes to the registration provisions of the Indian Act.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada work to close the gap by providing additional and appropriate funding and support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations to recruit, retain and train Indigenous staff working on housing, including training to increase the capacity of communities to build and maintain their own housing.

Recommendation 10

Acknowledging that the Government of Canada has been depriving Inuit, First Nations and Métis of the right to housing, by chronically underfunding Indigenous housing for generations, that the Government of Canada take immediate steps to ensure fuller and more comprehensive funding to address the housing crisis, by increasing funding for new housing and increasing funding for renovations and retrofits to address the extremely poor condition of existing housing.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada recognize the Metis Settlements as distinct entities with unique needs with regards to infrastructure and housing, and that the Government’s engagement with the Metis Settlements reflects this recognition.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada work with Métis governments not included in the current distinctions-based model, including the Metis Settlements in Alberta and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, to provide long-term, stable, flexible, and predictable funding for Métis housing.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada, continue to work with Indigenous partners to co-develop an urban, rural, and northern housing strategy that is funded and administered by Indigenous People, for Indigenous People and organizations.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada work with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous governments, communities and organizations to review and improve funding mechanisms to provide long-term, stable, flexible and predictable funding for Indigenous housing.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada undertake a review of all programs and funding provided for Indigenous housing to identify areas where funding could be delivered directly to Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, and report back to the committee by February 2023.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada consider ways to deliver a greater proportion of funding for housing on reserve directly to First Nations communities in the Northwest Territories and work with territorial partners to ensure that First Nations on-reserve have access to federal housing funding.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous governments, communities and organizations to address barriers, requirements and application processes for all housing programs where Indigenous organizations, communities and governments are eligible to apply to ensure these programs meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples and communities and report back to the committee by February 2023, including ensuring equitable access to the National Housing Strategy.

Recommendation 18

That, in order to achieve the objective of closing the infrastructure gap in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities by 2030, as outlined in the mandate letter of the Minister of Indigenous Services, the federal government revise its housing investment strategy, since the target will not be met if the current pace is maintained; and that, by February 2023, the federal government provide a detailed plan outlining projected investments from 2022 to 2030 to address these gaps.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous organizations and communities, as well as relevant provincial and territorial partners, to explore ways to support homeownership tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada hold consultations on market housing and private property ownership on reserves; and that it engage stakeholders who have implemented self-governance and private property systems on their lands, such as the James Bay Cree and the Nisga’a Lisims Government.