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.
The Government of Canada announced today an investment of close to $1.8 million, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, to improve housing conditions for the Penticton and Snuneymuxw First Nations communities.
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 in Penticton.
“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is delivering support for improvements in housing conditions for members who live in First Nation communities in British Columbia and we are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs,” 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.
The application calls for the new funding initiatives under Canada’s Economic Action Plan were very successful and generated a large number of applications. As a result, CMHC will be fully allocating all the available funding for this fiscal year.
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.
CMHC will allocate more than $7 million to build 43 new housing units on-reserve in British Columbia. Of this funding, Penticton First Nation and Snuneymuxw First Nation will receive close to $1.8 million to build 12 new housing units.
“We are pleased to welcome this new housing construction that has come to us at a time when both the Penticton leadership and community members have identified our housing needs as a priority,” said Jonathan Kruger, Chief of the Penticton First Nation. “This ensures the health and safety of our Elders, children and membership through sustainable homes and is of utmost importance to the Band.”
“These new homes are a step toward addressing our longstanding housing needs and help us build our community’s equity. We have been able to provide seven new homes as well as an opportunity for some of our community members to work in construction,” said Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Chief Douglas White III. “This project represents a major life change for seven families — they will have a home to call their own! It has been a huge opportunity for our Nation and our members welcome these important new homes.”
The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the community
of Williamsburg today celebrated the opening of 20 new affordable
rental units. This project is supported by more than $1.4 million in
funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.
Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry,
on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources
and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Jim Brownell, Member of Provincial
Parliament for Stormont – Dundas – South Glengarry on behalf of the
Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Mayor
Bob Kilger, City of Cornwall; Mayor Robert Gillard, Township of South
Dundas; and housing sponsors James Kooistra and Trevor Tolley attended
the ceremony.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making
affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who
need it the most,” said MP Lauzon. “These new rental units in
Williamsburg will provide access to suitable, affordable housing for
low-income seniors and individuals with special needs.”
“These
20 units will have a positive impact on the people who will call them
home and the community as a whole,” said MPP Brownell. “I would like to
congratulate the developers and community groups for making these
projects a reality.”
The 20-unit project, sponsored by
Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing, will be occupied by low-income seniors
and individuals with special needs.
The federal and provincial allocations to the project were complemented by over $153,000 in municipal incentives.
“I
am pleased that new federal and provincial funding for affordable
housing has made these 20 townhouses a reality,” said Mayor Robert
Gillard. “I thank the Service Manager and Williamsburg Non-Profit
Housing Corporation for all their work and dedication to help so many
individuals benefit from this new housing service. Patience and
persistence pays off.”
The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing
Program Agreement, signed in 2005, comprises a commitment of $301
million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total,
the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least
$734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for
up to 20,000 households in Ontario.
Last fall, the Government of
Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to
improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional
one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and
existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to
municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. Combined for
Ontario, this means a further $1.2-billion joint investment under the
amended Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The
federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this
overall investment.