‘Biggest fight of our lives’: Manitoba First Nations in court with Ottawa over housing concerns

Multiple First Nations have brought forward a class action suit against Ottawa over on-reserve housing. Taylor Brock explains.

First Nations leaders in Manitoba are heading up a class action lawsuit against the federal government over the on-reserve housing crisis across remote and northern First Nations in Canada.

Members of St. Theresa Point Ansininew Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation appeared in federal court on Wednesday.

Lawyers for the nations presented arguments in a national class action suit against the federal government, claiming it is Ottawa’s responsibility to provide adequate housing on reserves and alleging the government “deliberately underfunded housing on reserves,” while restricting their ability to provide First Nations-led housing.

The class action, which includes more than 100 First Nations, was certified in 2023.

“We are in the biggest fight of our lives,” Raymond Flett, chief of St. Theresa Point Ansininew Nation, said during a news conference Wednesday.

“We can’t turn a blind eye anymore,” said Sandy Lake First Nation’s Chief Delores Kakegamic.

The class action is asking for $5 billion in damages and an order that the federal government provide adequate housing on reserve.

Chief Emeritus Elvin Flett, also with St. Theresa Point, added there is also a significant shortage of housing despite growing populations in his community.

“Some of our homes have over 30 people living under one roof; our Elders and our children have to sleep in shifts and on the floor,” he said. “Other members are forced to build makeshift shelters from plywood and tarps just to have a place to sleep within the reserve, within the community.”

Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs spoke at the press conference Wednesday.

“As First Nations, we deserve a good quality of life, and that includes housing,” she said. “Housing is a necessity. It speaks to the health and wellness of individuals, and as First Nations, we deserve the same quality of life as everybody else in this country.”

In a 2024 statement of defence filed by the federal government, it states there is more work to be done to improve housing in First Nations communities, but it is the responsibility of the nations themselves.

“First Nations are responsible for planning, procuring and managing their housing stock,” the statement reads in part. “Canada supports their housing projects through funding.”

Canada denied responsibility for any of the circumstances set out in the Statement of Claim and called for the Claim to be dismissed.

“Canada does not owe any legal obligation or duties to build and maintain houses on reserve,” the statement of defence reads.

The hearing on the lawsuit wraps up on Thursday.