Housing : Ottawa Invests Over $67 Million in Northern and Manitoba Communities
The federal government is ramping up its efforts in Manitoba’s northern and rural regions. Canada’s Minister of Northern Affairs and Arctic Affairs, Rebecca Chartrand, has announced a total funding package of more than $67 million aimed at supporting isolated communities, upgrading northern infrastructure, and building new homes.
This federal funding is split into two major pillars to address the unique challenges faced by remote municipalities and First Nations across the province.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Waste Management
A $20.5 million envelope from the Housing Strong Communities Fund has been allocated to solid waste management, a crucial step to unlocking future residential developments:
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York Factory First Nation (York Landing): A $12.1 million investment will replace the current waste site with a modern engineered landfill according to Ottawa. This project will protect local groundwater, create 25 jobs, and support the future development of up to 250 homes.
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Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake): An $8.4 million investment will expand the existing waste disposal site to build a new engineered landfill, lifting current capacity constraints and enabling the future addition of 289 housing units.
By investing in community capacity, we can ensure more of our neighbours have the safety and stability of a home, says Rebecca Chartrand, minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs. Having a safe place to call home supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security and I’m excited to announce so many innovative and locally-led projects.
Construction of 133 Affordable and Transitional Homes
Concurrently, over $47 million is being injected to immediately build 133 safe rental units across Manitoba, specifically targeting seniors, Indigenous communities, and vulnerable populations.
The approved projects are distributed as follows:
| Community / Project | Funding Allocated | Number of Units |
| Selkirk (355 Eveline 55+) | $10.5M (Affordable Housing Fund) | 49 senior units |
| Cross Lake 19 (Modular Housing) | $10M (Affordable Housing Fund) | 25 affordable units |
| Winkler (Genesis Transitional House) | $10.6M (AHF) + $642,876 (Reaching Home) | 25 transitional units |
| Flin Flon (Keekih – Supportive Housing) | $6.3M (AHF) + $2.5M (Reaching Home / other) | 16 supportive units |
| Sioux Valley (Mezzo Homes) | $3.1M (Affordable Housing Fund) | 10 micro-community units |
| 105 Mile Post (Sapotaweyak Cree Nation) | $3.7M (Shelter Initiative & water treatment) | 8 women’s shelter spaces |
These investments are being rolled out in coordination with Housing Canada, the federal government’s new special service agency launched in the fall of 2025.
Moving forward, Housing Canada is slated to become an autonomous federal entity tasked with accelerating the construction of community and affordable housing through partnerships with provinces, municipalities, the private sector, and Indigenous communities.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Auditor general gives Housing N.W.T. a bad grade, again, CBC News
Greenland: Despite housing shortages, Greenland razes colonial apartment blocks, Blog by Mia Bennett
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Arctic Municipality in Sweden ups recruitment perks with housing, ski passes, bonuses, Radio Sweden
United States: Greenland ‘Freedom City?’ Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north, Reuters
