Ottawa - Members of the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples have completed a fact-finding mission to Canada’s North as part of their investigation into northern housing challenges.

Between April 18 and 22, committee members visited Nunavut and the Nunavik region of northern Quebec, stopping in five towns in five days. Beginning in Iqaluit, members travelled to Igloolik, Kuujjuaq, Inukjuak and Sanikiluaq. A planned visit to Nain — in the Nunatsiavut region of Labrador — had to be cancelled due to weather.

The committee listened to community members outline the difficulties of building and maintaining adequate housing in Canada’s remote regions; senators will draw upon these frank and open discussions to create a report that is expected to be completed in the fall.

Committee Chair Senator Lillian Eva Dyck and Deputy Chair Senator Dennis Patterson were joined by Senators Tobias Enverga, Sandra Lovelace Nicholas, Wilfred Moore and Nancy Greene Raine. Senator Charlie Watt joined the committee in Kuujjuaq, his home and birthplace.

The committee will continue to study the issue in Ottawa.

Quotes

“Canada’s northern climate and the isolation of northern communities make it especially difficult for citizens to have access to adequate housing. Drawing on what we’ve heard from the people who live there, we intend to propose solutions that will help improve their quality of life.”

- Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, Chair of the committee.

“As a senator from Nunavut, I was pleased that my colleagues were enthusiastic about investigating the unique housing challenges facing Inuit in the north. The testimony we heard was compelling and I believe that the communities were appreciative of the time we took to visit them."

- Senator Dennis Patterson, Deputy Chair of the committee.

Associated Links

One Week in the North

For more information or to book interviews please contact:

Mary Galipeau
Committees Liaison Officer (Communications)
Senate of Canada
613-944-4082
marcy.galipeau@sen.parl.gc.ca