N.L. housing minister reviewing national advocate's scathing report but not talking yet
PC critic says provincial Liberals haven't fixed problems
Sheltered, a CBC Investigates series, examines the housing crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador — telling the stories of the people living it, while scrutinizing the policies and politics behind it.
The president of Nunatsiavut says his government is ready to meet with its Newfoundland and Labrador counterparts to work toward solutions, in the wake of a critical report from the country's housing advocate.
In a report released Monday, Marie-Josée Houle said all levels of government have failed to uphold the Inuit's right to housing and, in consultation with Inuit governments, made a series of recommendations to improve access and conditions.
Many of those fall under provincial jurisdiction. But Newfoundland and Labrador's housing minister isn't talking — at least, not yet.
"We do meet government to government with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador but it is quite challenging," Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa on Monday.
"We are ready to start discussions with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador on housing issues."
WATCH | A special report on housing conditions in Nain, where the country's housing advocate is calling for urgent action:
Lampe, who was in Ottawa for the release of the report, said his government is in regular communication with the province.
One issue of particular interest centres on Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where homelessness rates eclipse those in Vancouver and Toronto. The Nunatsiavut government has been tapped to operate a new shelter in the central Labrador town.
But Lampe says the conversations need to go beyond the concerns in central Labrador.
"We need to come to discuss higher-level issues and how we can get the support from the government of Newfoundland and Labrador as to where we are today," Lampe said.
Mould remediation, new construction, among recommendations
Houle wrote that the lack of secure housing on Labrador's north coast can be traced back to the provincial government's decision to forcefully relocate the Labrador Inuit decades ago.
They were moved from communities such as Hebron to places like Makkovik and Nain, hundreds of kilometres to the south. The decision thrust families into overcrowded spaces and exacerbated housing problems.
Houle said the Newfoundland and Labrador government is continuing to fail the Inuit by not properly keeping up social housing properties it owns and operates in the Nunatsiavut region.
"Out of 57 Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation units, for example, around 20 per cent sit vacant, some for years, unable to address the housing shortfall due to lack of repair and inadequate investment," Houle wrote.
In a statement, the housing corporation said there have been problems securing contractors in northern Labrador to complete work, and there weren't any successful bids until May 2022.
However, a spokesperson said work is underway to open the units back up for occupancy.
A 2018 housing needs assessment undertaken by the Nunatsiavut government found that, of the homes surveyed, 41 per cent reported mould.
Houle recommended the federal and provincial governments work with the Inuit government to develop a mould remediation program. As part of that, temporary residences need to be built to relocate people during renovations.
While most of Houle's recommendations encourage both levels of government to increase funding and begin expanding or building new units, no price tag was attached.
Lloyd Parrott, the Opposition PC critic for Labrador Affairs, said the province needs to take action immediately.
"I think what bothers me the most is how long this has gone on," Parrott said. "The Liberal government really needs to understand that the cost of doing business in Labrador is exponentially more expensive than it is anywhere else."
Parrott acknowledged that previous governments, including PC administrations, have had a role in the current situation, but said the crisis must stop now.
"Do governments past bear some responsibility? Absolutely," Parrott said Wednesday.
"There's a huge issue, and it doesn't matter who has responsibility — what matters is who's responsible to fix it. And that's this Liberal government. They haven't done it."
N.L. housing minister declines interview
A spokesperson for Paul Pike, the minister responsible for housing, said he was unavailable for an interview as he was out of town and busy with meetings when he returns.
But the housing corporation stressed that an analysis of the advocate's findings is underway.
"We are taking the time to review the report as it relates to provincial and jurisdictional matters, and we are committed to addressing these challenges," wrote spokesperson Jenny Bowring.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn said the lack of public comment validates the feelings of many in Nain and on the north coast of Labrador who feel forgotten.
"I'm speechless. It's shameful. He is the minister of probably one of the most important portfolios in this government," Dinn told CBC News.
"We came up with $500 million during the pandemic to assist oil companies. For God's sake, can we not come up with a fraction of that to address the housing issue to make sure people have a warm, safe, healthy environment in which to live?"
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