Inuit housing crisis exposes government failure, says federal advocate – Insurance Business America
Nov 28, 2023
Report highlights subpar living conditions and lack of insurance access
A federal advocate has labelled the housing conditions of Canada’s Inuit population as a “staggering failure” on the part of federal, provincial, and territorial administrations.
The report penned by Marie-Josee Houle attributed the current state of Inuit housing to colonialism and decades-long governmental shortcomings.
According to Houle’s investigation, many individuals in Inuit communities have resorted to burning parts of their homes for warmth, while others often seek refuge in cars or tents.
The report also found that the rate of homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, is four times higher than that of major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver. Over half of Inuit residing in traditional territories lived in overcrowded housing, with nearly a third residing in dwellings requiring significant repairs.
