Posted: June 7, 2010 at 12:19 pm | Tags: Action, Blind River, canada, CMHC, Development, Diane Finley, Economic, energy, facility, generating, government, Greg Rickford, Housing Market, Infrastructure, loan, Mayor Robert Gallagher, MILP, Minister Responsible, MP Rickford, Plan, Program, Town
Moishe Alexander notes that the Government of Canada’s plans for the Town of Blind River have been approved for an infrastructure loan.
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.

Posted: November 12, 2009 at 9:27 am | Tags: Action, canada, Children, CMHC, construction, Corporation, Diane Finley, Economic, economy, facility, government, home, Honourable, Housing Market, Jim Kenyon, Minister Hart, Minister Responsible, Plan, Receiving, Senator Daniel Lang, Senator Lang, today, WHITEHORSE, youth, Yukon
WHITEHORSE, YUKON, November 10, 2009 — Senator Daniel Lang (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Jim Kenyon, Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation and the Honourable Glenn Hart, Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services, launched the construction phase of Whitehorse Children’s Receiving Home today.
The $799,000 federal contribution to the project comes through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Recognizing the distinctive needs of the North, Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $200 million, over two years, including $50 million for Yukon to support the renovation and the construction of new social housing units. 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 Government of Canada is committed to providing a hand up to those who need it the most,” said Senator Lang. “We are helping make an important difference in the lives of children and youth in Whitehorse who are trying to build a better future for themselves.”
“Yukon Housing Corporation is dedicated to providing housing for Yukoners,” said Jim Kenyon. “This boost in funding towards the Children’s Receiving Home will help ensure a safe place for youth who need it.”
The Children’s Receiving Home is a temporary home for children and youth who have been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect, and who need a period of assessment and stabilization. The funding announced today will go toward the construction of the eight units in this new facility. The new facility will be 4,200 square feet in size and built to the Yukon’s Super GreenHome standard for maximum energy efficiency.
“Yukon government is very excited about the construction of the new children’s receiving home,” said Minister Hart. “The old facility was no longer adequate for current programming needs and we are looking forward to a new safe and healthy environment for the young people who will live there.”
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.
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.