6887","static/chunks/6887-ccdfe176d8e60771.js","2958","static/chunks/2958-5bde9c6d896654a5.js","793","static/chunks/793-d1eb689d9edee967.js","5521","static/chunks/app/politicians/statements/%5Bid%5D/page-7e0f3867022802a1.js"],"Divider"] 45:T6e8,

Mr. Speaker, the federal government failed Inuit before COVID-19 and continues to do so. Since the Liberal government has been in power, it talked about a distinctive indigenous housing strategy in 2017 and in 2019 about investing in more housing. We have yet to see these two items come into full action.

Last month I travelled to seven Nunavut communities, visiting over 100 homes. All homes I went to had mould and most of them were overcrowded. I also heard of parents losing their children to the foster care system because their homes were deemed unfit. I heard stories of parents finding their children hanging from the ceiling. I heard stories of elders forced to live with people who abused them.

The lack of basic human rights for indigenous peoples results in death. Inuit are dying, and were dying before this pandemic.

I did not have expectations of this throne speech. Since the day I was born, Inuit have heard promises of a good life, of positivity, of being able to contribute to society in a healthy way, of having basic human rights and we continue to have those promises broken.

I will start to have faith in the federal government once I see Inuit have the opportunity to live a life filled with dignity and respect. I will start to have faith in this institution once I see indigenous people have the right to self-determination.

When will the federal government stand up for Inuit and provide basic human rights, at least basic housing?

Mumilaaq Qaqqaq

Transcript

Speech from the Throne

Discussions (0)