Thunder Bay meeting highlights proposed First Nations housing and service funding

Federal ministers visited Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service headquarters in Thunder Bay on November 13 to discuss Budget 2026 proposals for First Nations housing, infrastructure and community services.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu met Indigenous leaders, including Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.

According to Public Safety Canada, the budget proposes $11 billion over 10 years to maintain, renovate and build on-reserve housing, alongside an additional $1.7 billion over five years to accelerate construction. The government estimates the housing program could help build more than 6,900 new homes and renovate over 10,900 existing homes.

Those are proposed investments and projected outputs, not an accounting of homes delivered at the meeting. First Nations and service providers will need to monitor actual program rollout and funding agreements.

Official source: Public Safety Canada, November 13, 2026.