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.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is improving housing conditions for those who live in First Nation communities in Quebec. We are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs,” said Minister Paradis.

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 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). 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 $45 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Quebec to address immediate housing needs. CMHC is contributing $483,000 to retrofit 33 social housing units on-reserve for the Naskapi First Nation.

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.