Canada’s housing crisis has reached a critical point, with urban centres struggling to keep up with growing demand. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), an additional 3.5 million homes need to be built by 2030 to restore affordability in the housing market. While governments at all levels have introduced measures to address this pressing issue, one solution that has received less attention is the potential of urban reserves.
According to Indigenous Services Canada, an urban reserve is defined as a reserve within or adjacent to an urban centre. The majority of urban reserves are created as a result of specific claim and Treaty Land Entitlement settlements, which provide First Nations with cash payments that may be used to purchase land in an urban centre. Urban reserves can be found in smaller urban centres such as Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, or larger cities such as Vancouver, British Columbia. There are now more than 120 urban reserves across Canada.
Traditionally, reserves were located in rural or isolated areas, but the Additions to Reserve policy allows for the establishment of reserves in cities or urban centres. This shift opens up new possibilities for First Nations-led development, including residential projects that can help alleviate housing shortages. For example, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation’s urban reserve in Winnipeg is home to residential and commercial properties, generating millions in revenue and providing affordable housing to members of the community.
If urban reserves are developed with a focus on housing, they could offer much-needed solutions in high-demand areas. By partnering with municipalities, Indigenous communities can create housing projects that serve both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. These developments are often tax-exempt, which can reduce costs and improve housing affordability for residents. Additionally, urban reserves provide Indigenous communities with economic development opportunities, as they gain greater control over the land and can invest in long-term, revenue-generating projects.
However, the potential of urban reserves goes beyond just increasing housing supply. They also represent a significant step toward reconciliation and economic empowerment for Indigenous peoples. Allowing Indigenous communities to manage and develop urban land gives them greater autonomy and the ability to build and keep wealth within their own communities. A report by the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board found that urban reserves can reduce poverty and improve socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous communities, contributing to reconciliation goals. By engaging in city planning and housing development, Indigenous communities can directly contribute to addressing the housing crisis while promoting sustainable urban growth.
However, there are potential roadblocks to consider, such as conflicting or unsettled land claims, implications of past treaty violations by government(s), and/or the clear buy-in of such First Nation communities in the first place. Some of these Nations may be wary of such collaborations due to bad experiences in the past. Any collaboration with a First Nation partner or partners needs to be done with the understanding of the history first peoples have as stewards of this land, and any agreement leveraging an urban reserve should clearly define and guarantee the benefit for the Nation in question.
Urban reserves offer a unique opportunity to reimagine housing in Canada. By working collaboratively with municipalities and the federal government, First Nations-led development can become a cornerstone of urban housing solutions, creating more inclusive, affordable, and diverse communities across the country.
Featured photo: u/dnaka22
