Minutes of the RTCH Meeting – October 2025

REGIONAL TRIPARTITE HOUSING COMMITTEE (RTHC)

MINUTES

Virtual Meeting of October 22, 2025

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ATTENDEES:

AFNQL: Chief Lance Haymond – Guy Latouche

CMHC: Pierre Bélanger – Ina Wielinga – JF Samuel – Kelly Marquis

ISC: Nathalie Spénard – André Dansereau – Éric Bouchard (Regional Service Delivery Sector)

ABSENT:

Isabelle Déry (ISC) – Véronique Mercier (ISC) – Sean Somers (ISC)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Facilitator: Pierre Bélanger

1- Welcome and Introduction

The agenda is accepted without modification.

Pierre welcomes Kelly Marquis from CMHC, who is invited to participate in today’s meeting.

2- Action Item Follow-up

All remaining actions from last June were incorporated into the 2025-2027 Action Plan for monitoring, and no additional follow-up actions resulted from the June meeting.

3- National and Regional Environment

AFNQL

Canada Housing

The federal government is adopting a new approach that should lead to unprecedented investments to increase housing supply in Canada. The subject was extensively discussed at the National Joint Working Group table (AFNQL, AFN, ISC, CMHC, and LICC). The AFNQL responded to the market survey by highlighting the particular context of First Nations in Quebec. Canada Housing must be encouraged to avoid a “one-size-fits-all” model and opt instead for a distinctions-based approach.

Here are some points we are emphasizing:

A flexible budget envelope dedicated to housing construction and related infrastructure is essential in First Nations communities. Unlike municipalities, the private sector does not cover this investment in these communities, which impacts the sale price of lots. Band councils have limited capacity to invest in the infrastructure required to prepare building lots.

Appropriate funding mechanisms.

A more flexible project scale that respects First Nations housing governance. Band councils are generally the developers of housing projects within their own communities. Canada Housing should support First Nations initiatives on a smaller scale that respect existing housing governance structures.

Realistic implementation timelines that account for the challenges faced by First Nations.

Legislative provisions that accelerate the acquisition of reserve lands.

Revision of National Fund Allocation for Section 95 and ERPAP Programs

Faced with the possibility of another drastic drop in its share of the national budget for these two programs, a resolution presented by the AFNQL was adopted at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly last July. The resolution urges CMHC to ensure that the allocation review does not lead to budget cuts in the regions.

As a reminder, four regions, including Quebec, would experience a major reduction in their social housing and renovation budgets if the allocation formula is revised as envisioned by CMHC.

This subject is on the agenda for this meeting.

Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy

The subject is on the agenda for this meeting.

First Nations Housing Internship Program

Our partner in capacity building, the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), will soon launch a housing internship program intended for First Nations. The AFNQL and its commissions, as well as ISC and CMHC, are called upon to develop the 10 training modules that will constitute the program.

Update on Community Housing Needs

The AFNQL has begun data collection aimed at updating the housing needs of First Nations in Quebec-Labrador. This database is important to support the advocacy of AFNQL Chiefs on housing issues.

Another Resource Leaves the AFN

Grace Martineau, who held the position of Director of Housing and Infrastructure at the Assembly of First Nations, is no longer employed by the AFN. This is another major loss for this sector following the departure of Dan Gaspé last May.

ISC

Infrastructure, Environment, and Emergency Management Directorate

New Organizational Structure

Since September 2, 2025, a new organizational structure model has been in effect within the department. The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) and ISC Regional Operations are now grouped under the new Regional Service Delivery (RSD) sector.

Mr. Philippe Thompson, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Operations Officer responsible for this sector, is visiting the region this week. He is presenting his strategic vision, answering employee questions, and meeting with partners, notably the W8banaki Emergency Center.

This internal restructuring aims to establish a functional management model promoting better fluidity between:

 
• program design;

 

• implementation;

 

• client and partner needs and expectations; and accountability requirements.

Departmental Sustainability Strategy

In the context of reducing departmental spending, internal measures remain in effect, particularly those related to hiring and travel. Although communities express a desire for on-site visits, current budget constraints limit this possibility for the current year.

Canada Housing

Discussions surrounding the creation of Canada Housing, a new independent federal agency reporting to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, continue at a high level. Little information has been released to date regarding the potential impacts on housing funding at ISC. The department remains vigilant and alert to developments.

Regional Housing Budget

Nearly 90% of initial planning documents have been submitted under the First Nations Children’s Housing Fund as well as for the Housing Initiative (construction and renovation). The housing sector, supported by itinerant housing trainers, continues to assist communities in this essential work.

Housing Initiative:

Continuously open components effectively meet community priorities at their own pace. The most requested components are:

 
• Component 3: Lot servicing

 

• Component 4.1: Capacity building

 

• Component 4.2: On-the-job training for a new housing resource

In 2025, two components particularly illustrate the success of regional collaboration between CMHC and ISC:

Component 1.3: Support for community down payments for the CMHC On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program (Section 95)

Component 4.1: Capacity building for the Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth

Federal Budget

There is much hope surrounding the announcements expected on November 4, 2025. To date, ISC has received no official confirmation regarding a change in the government’s budget cycle.

The housing sector is currently developing several scenarios. Note that the Housing Initiative on reserves and in communities ends on March 31, 2027.

In the absence of an announcement for its extension, only Budget 2024 funds will be available until March 31, 2029, totaling barely 8.9 million in 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 (5.9 million and 3 million respectively).

If this scenario is confirmed, representations to the national office will be necessary to ensure the continuity of impactful and recurring projects such as:

 
• the ACS in housing management techniques,

 

• the housing community of practice, itinerant housing trainers, among others.

CMHC

National Housing Strategy (NHS)

To date, on a national scale, the Indigenous community has been able to secure approximately 25% of the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) since the beginning of the year. Many more projects will be approved before funds are exhausted. The addition of a 1.5 billion repayable loan envelope, recently announced by the federal government, will allow us to optimize the contributions planned under the community housing component. Currently, we are working closely with clients able to submit an application in the very short term. Although we are no longer proactively working on longer-term project development, we are updating all these files in the context of URN and Canada Housing.

Canada Housing

Canada Housing will be the new federal agency responsible for affordable housing, with a budget envelope of $13 billion. Based on what we have heard so far, Canada Housing will be looking for large-scale projects, there will be no specific programs, and contributions will be limited. Canada Housing is currently in the process of hiring employees from CMHC, Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), and Canada Lands Company (CLC).

As for CMHC, it will maintain its regular market activities and mortgage insurance. Furthermore, the delivery of current on-reserve programs will remain under CMHC’s governance.

Section 95

The October 10 deadline for submitting a funding application was met, and the entire budget has been committed. Initial projections anticipated 33 units, but thanks to ISC-CMHC collaboration and partnership, using the ISC budget under component 1.3 – Down Payment Assistance and the First Nations Children’s Housing Fund, a total of 56 units were submitted for approval.

This year was the first year that the subsidy, as a loan guarantee, was offered to all clients as an alternative to the Ministerial Loan Guarantee (MLG). Interest in Quebec has been rather low; only two communities opted for this alternative.

The pilot project in the Atlantic, which with client consent allows CMHC to undertake steps with ISC to obtain MLGs, has been a real success. A total of 13 communities utilized it, which will allow us to obtain reliable results for its expansion. For now, most of these files are being processed, but one client approved early in the process obtained their MLG in 85 days.

Housing Internships for Indigenous Youth (HIIY)

The initial allocation provided for 55 internships across the province. Due to some difficulties in hiring interns, we now hope to achieve 53 internships.

We met with the First Nations Education Council to discuss their 2026-2027 internship pilot project. Further meetings will be necessary to optimize coordination, efficiency, and above all, complementarity. Meetings with ISC will also be necessary to discuss funding and ensure a transition.

Renovation Budget – ERPAP

We expect to receive the next budget envelope for renovation shortly. The anticipated budget is $12.3M nationally, which could be increased over the coming weeks. Given the difficulties in obtaining a precise budget quickly, we will send allocations based on confirmed budgets and will have conversations with all clients to prepare for the possible budget increase. Also, given the annual fluctuation of funds and for the sake of equity, we are ending two-year cyclical allocations and returning to an annual approach while respecting the principles of the allocation guide. We expect to be able to send allocation letters in early November. The portal for program applications will be open from December 1 to February 13.

4-Section 95 – ERPAP Update

AFNQL

A resolution on the allocation of Section 95 funds was proposed by Chief Haymond at the last AFN AGA and adopted during that meeting.

 
•  
  • The resolution calls for the protection of historic funding levels in all regions.

   

  • The July 2025 resolution emphasizes that additional funding is essential to meet the program’s needs.

 
• Two complementary tracks are underway:
   
  • Revision of the allocation.

   

  • Program modifications (CMHC will provide more details later).

 

• Persistent issue: the global budget remains unchanged, and we are attempting to optimize internal resources.

 

• Other lenders: There should be a reflection on better integration of other lenders during the program revision.

 

• Consultation of First Nations (FN):
   
  • Program changes must be made in collaboration with FNs, who could propose relevant adjustments.

   

  • Official consultation with FNs is planned as part of these changes.

   

  • Kelly mentions that regional technicians will also be involved at the discussion table.

CMHC

 
• Revision of the allocation:
   
  • A final decision has not yet been made on the revision of the allocation.

 

• Modifications to the Section 95 Program:
   
  • This is more of a realignment than a complete overhaul to address certain recommendations from the 2024 Auditor General’s report.

   

  • Objectives:
     
    • Meet actual needs.

     

    • Reduce administrative burden.

 

• Examples of administrative burden reduction:
   
  • Simplified Ministerial Loan Guarantee (MLG) application process (pilot projects and Security Pledge Subsidy (SPS)).

   

  • Minimum contribution and standardization of operating fees.

   

  • Improvement of program-related training documents.

 

• Transfer of authority:
   
  • CMHC is in discussions to identify the competent authorities regarding transfer.

 

• ERPAP Program:
   
  • Major simplifications were made two years ago.

5- Urban, Rural, and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy

The AFNQL provides an update on the subject:

 
• $42,000,000 was awarded to the AFNQL over 7 years for the creation of off-reserve housing;

 

• $8,000,000 total for the first 2 years;

 

• The AFNQL signed a contract with SIRCAAQ to deliver the budget for the first 2 years;

 

• They chose SIRCAAQ partly because it is an Indigenous organization, led by Indigenous people, which delivers projects intended for off-reserve Indigenous people. Furthermore, SIRCAAQ is an established organization with experience delivering this type of off-reserve project, and URN projects must progress quickly;

 

• SIRCAAQ handles the project selection itself according to criteria established by the AFNQL and its think tank.

 

• Funds available to SIRCAAQ must be used for the planning, design, construction, and acquisition of new housing units intended for First Nations members with core housing needs. These are therefore capital investments in real estate complexes, and not operating expenses.

 

• These housing units include single-family homes, row houses, mobile homes, multi-unit housing, and special needs housing, such as group homes and homes for people requiring assistance for independent living.

 

• The 6 selection criteria are:
   
  • Project located in an area with a strong presence of First Nations members;

   

  • Residents will be First Nations members;

   

  • The clientele targets at least 1 of the following segments;

 
•  
  •  
    • Youth leaving care programs;

     

    • Students;

     

    • Seniors;

     

    • Low-income families;

     

    • People receiving long-term care;

     

    • Victims of violence;

     

    • Homeless persons, particularly women, girls, and 2ELGBTQI+ individuals.

   

  • Multiple housing units or rooms;

   

  • Project ready to build or nearly so;

   

  • Funding available to SIRCAAQ will be used for one or more of the following purposes:
     
    • Planning;

     

    • Design;

     

    • Land acquisition;

     

    • Construction.

     

    • Funds can also be incorporated into a project’s financial structure to reduce debt financing with the goal of making rents more affordable.

 

• Project selection is currently underway based on a list of existing SIRCAAQ projects;

 

• The AFNQL has begun a study aimed at mapping off-reserve needs for projects in subsequent years (after the first 2 years).

Question from Éric: For projects that include personal care, since they will be on provincial territory, will there be agreements with the Quebec Ministry of Health?

Answer from Guy: Patient housing does not include personal care within the unit. It is temporary housing for people who must temporarily leave their community to attend medical appointments at a city hospital.

Question from Kelly: Does the AFNQL have a partnership with municipalities or others for land acquisition?

Answer from Guy: No, everything is managed by SIRCAAQ.

Question from Guy: Is there anything new regarding the National Center?

Answer from Kelly: The government has not made a decision on the National Center. Most of the $4 billion was intended for the Center. According to Kelly, an answer will come after the budget on November 4th.

6-AFNQL Regional Housing Meeting

The regional housing meeting will again be held in two parts this year.

The 1st part will be held virtually on December 11 (AM). This part will be reserved for formal presentations to transmit information to participants. A few subject ideas were mentioned (updates on URN, the Housing Initiative, Canada Housing, the Manikaso Center, the Workplace platform, the Federal Budget). The AFNQL will send a proposed agenda to the Co-RTHC.

The 2nd part will be held in person. The week of January 26 is targeted, but the date is still to be confirmed. The First Nations Adult Education School Council (FNAESC/CSPNEA) will be responsible for the logistics of this 2nd part. The CoRTHC will work on a proposed agenda. A few subject ideas mentioned (SIRCAAQ presentation, homelessness in communities, Canada Housing, internship program by the School Council, the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue, presence of elected officials and the Regional Chief).

7-Follow-up on the RTHC Action Plan

The Manikaso Center is operational again after a several-month pause. A resource has been hired to deliver the program, and the FNQLEDC has the mandate to identify communities interested in using Manikaso Center services.

8- Varia and Next Meeting

No other business.

ISC will host the next RTHC meeting. The meeting will be held in person if possible, the day after the AFNQL regional housing meeting. The date of January 29, 2026, in the morning is targeted, but still to be confirmed.

There will be a Co-RTHC meeting after the November 4 Federal Budget announcement to validate if an RTHC meeting is necessary sooner depending on the budget’s content.