Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Blind River has been approved for a low-cost loan of $49.5 million from CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP), to construct a solar energy generating facility. The project includes the installation of approximately 45,000 solar panels on 285 towers over an area of 120 acres and will provide the residents of Blind River with a low-cost renewable energy supply.

“Our Government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities,” said MP Rickford. “This program is opening the door for municipalities to meet their housing-related infrastructure needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs, provide economic stimulus for communities in all corners of the country, and support Canadian workers and families.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. Municipal infrastructure loans are available to any municipality in Canada and provide a new source of funds for municipalities to invest in housing-related infrastructure projects. These low cost loans can also be used by municipalities to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.

“The Town of Blind River is very excited about the development of the Blind River Solar Generating Facility. With the tremendous assistance of the CMHC, our community takes a giant step forward into a stronger, greener future,” said Mayor Robert Gallagher.

Eligible projects include infrastructure related to housing services such as water, power generation and waste services, as well as local transportation infrastructure within and into residential areas, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting and green space.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

The Government of Canada announced today that three co-operatives located in Brantford and Hamilton will receive more than $270,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made at Applegate Co-operative Housing in Brantford by Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said MP McColeman. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:
Applegate Co-operative Housing (Brantford) $74,886
Wicklow Co-operative Homes (Brantford) $97,069
Appleridge Co-operative Homes Inc. (Hamilton) $99,144

“We applaud and thank the federal government, MP McColeman and CMHC for making a solid investment to help renovate and retrofit these affordable homes,” said Ken Elliott, President of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. “Today’s announcement for those three non-profit housing co-operatives is an excellent example of stimulus funding that works towards preserving jobs, assisting the local economy and protecting valuable affordable housing assets for Canadians.”

“We are very pleased to be receiving the Renovation and Retrofit grant through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve our cooperative,” said Maureen Zotzman, President, Applegate Co-operative Homes Incorporated. “These significant renovations will have a tremendous positive impact for our members and their quality of life.”

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $800,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Okanagan – Coquihalla region in British Columbia.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia – Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia, “said Minister Day.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $812,706 to retrofit 71 housing units on-reserve in the Okanagan – Coquihalla region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $530,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Cariboo – Prince George region of British Columbia.

Dick M. Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia,” said MP Harris.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $538,335 to retrofit 37 housing units on-reserve in the Cariboo – Prince George region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $475,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Okanagan – Shuswap region of British Columbia.

Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan – Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia,” said MP Mayes.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $475,797 to retrofit 50 housing units on-reserve in the Okanagan – Shuswap region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of $20.7 million, as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities across Saskatchewan.

The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement along with members of the Whitecap Dakota community.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Saskatchewan,” said Minister Yelich.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $60 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Saskatchewan to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC will allocate more than $9.1 million to retrofit over 650 housing units on-reserve in Saskatchewan, as well as $11.5 million for subsidy associated with 63 new housing units to be constructed in seven First Nations communities in Saskatchewan.

“Our First Nation is very pleased to be part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Greater energy efficiency is important to every one of the family members who live in these retrofitted homes. And this investment is also very important to our Whitecap community which continues to grow,” said Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota. “In order to ensure the work could be undertaken on time and completed on schedule, we have witnessed yet another positive outcome of this investment with the creation of Whitecap Construction, the community owned company that is undertaking the construction project. Our families, our workforce with its journeymen and apprentices, along with our entire community is, by far, the better for this project.”

Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny – L’Islet – Kamouraska – Rivière-du-Loup, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today, along with Paul Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, on behalf of Eva Ottawa, Grand Chief of the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Quebec,” said MP Généreux.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $45 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Quebec to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC is allocating more than $1.6 million to Opitciwan and Manawan for the construction of three new social housing units and to retrofit 53 existing social housing units. Listuguj and Gesgapegiag are receiving $664,500 for the construction of two new social housing units and to retrofit 41 existing social housing units. This funding will go along way to help improve housing conditions in these First Nation communities.

“Responding to the housing needs of our people remains our top priority. What has been accomplished in the Atikamekw communities thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan is very commendable and greatly appreciated,” said Grand Chief Ottawa.

More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the global recession here in British Columbia and across Canada,” said Senator Yonah Martin, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).This is a good way to get the local economy moving and put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly, as well as improving the quality of existing social housing, giving a hand-up to those families who need it most.”

“The Province is committed to providing increased access to safe, affordable, supportive housing for our most vulnerable people, and that is why we’ve provided $10.4 million for the purchase and renovation of the Russell Housing Centre,” said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burnaby – Lougheed. “Combining emergency shelter with transitional housing under one roof is an effective method to help break the cycle of homelessness here in New Westminster and across British Columbia.”

The Russell Housing Centre is a designated heritage building that has been renovated to provide 40 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel units and 15 shelter beds and will provide emergency shelter and social housing for adults at risk of homelessness in New Westminster. Through the amended Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are contributing $1.1 million for repairs and renovations to the 40 SRO units.

“This development makes a significant contribution to the City’s continuum of housing, enabling our locally homeless population to access quality shelter and support services. It also preserves an important piece of the City’s heritage,” said New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright.

Lookout Emergency Aid Society manages and operates the Russell Housing Centre. The Centre will be open 24 hours, 365 days a year, and will provide such basics as shelter, food and laundry, as well as support and assistance to men who are without a home. Tenants will receive life skills training on cooking and nutrition, budgeting and basic hygiene, gaining the necessary skills to move towards living independently.

“Helping people identify and plan around their challenges, linking them to needed services will help prevent them from becoming homeless again,” said Karen O’Shannacery, executive director of Lookout Emergency Aid Society. “Our long-standing partnership with the Province and BC Housing has played a pivotal role in the creation of many of Lookout’s supportive housing developments.”

The Housing Renovation Partnership is the result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada – British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. The Housing Renovation Partnership will provide $177 million for the renovation and retrofit of social housing. Under the terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments will provide matching contributions of $88.82 million. Overall, Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the repair of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing, to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households.

The Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, helping to build vital public infrastructure in every region of the province and stimulating local economies across B.C.

Funding in the amount of $679,500 has been made available for the initiative through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $132 million under the amended Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement. Other funding includes $400,000 from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and $54,500 from the City of Prince Albert.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is helping Canadians during these tough economic times,” said MP Hoback. “Here in Prince Albert, this achievement gives a hand-up to low-income youth who need safe, affordable housing that meets their needs. This is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly.”

“Our government is pleased to help provide safe, affordable housing for at-risk youth in the community of Prince Albert,” MLA Darryl Hickie said. “This aligns with our vision of putting vulnerable people first and helping them build better lives for themselves. Affordable housing is a key component of that.”

“Affordable housing is a community matter and this project is another example that, by working together, we can respond to the needs of individuals and families who are most vulnerable, by providing safe, secure and affordable housing for all,” said Mayor Jim Scarrow. “This project will provide these individuals with a home for a successful transition to living independently. Together we can build a greater city and province.”

Persons with disabilities often have difficulty finding housing that meets their specific needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $75 million over two years to build new rental housing for persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

The eight-plex, located at 74 – 18th Street West in Prince Albert, will provide safe, affordable housing for very low-income youth with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Four of the units will be for those who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness. The residence is located within walking distance of the downtown core and a local drop-in centre, The Nest, which provides meals and programs that address independent living skills and employment initiatives.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.

The amendment to the Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Program Agreement, which included funding under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, signed in May 2009, brought federal housing support of $74 million to the province. The Government of Saskatchewan will match that commitment for a total of $148 million to assist those in housing need and, in collaboration with other levels of government and community partners, to make various types of affordable housing programs possible. In Saskatchewan, federal-provincial housing programs are delivered through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of almost $2.3 million as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for the James Smith Cree Nation, Peter Chapman Band and Chakastaypasin Band communities.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC), Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Saskatchewan,” said Minister Finley.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over the next two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC and INAC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that quality housing is a fundamental building block for every First Nation family and community,” said Minister Strahl. “Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government invested $400 million over two years dedicated to new and renovated social housing projects, which includes $60 million for First Nations in Saskatchewan.”

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $60 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Saskatchewan to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC will allocate almost $550,000 to retrofit 20 existing social housing units and more than $1.4 million in subsidy associated with the construction of eight new social housing units. In addition, INAC will contribute $386,000 for major renovations to 15 housing units. This funding will go a long way to help improve housing conditions in these First Nation communities.

On behalf of the combined 2800 band members, the three Chiefs wish to acknowledge the Canadian Economic Action Plan’s initiative to stimulate the Canadian Economy by investing millions of dollars in First Nation communities. These investments in First Nation housing and infrastructure allow for an increased standard of living and the continued delivery of essential services to our ever-increasing populations. Furthermore, the members wish to acknowledge the hard work, cooperation, and organizational efforts of the Canadian Government, the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the implementation of the CEAP funding.