Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing On Reserve in Nova Scotia

Pictou Landing First Nation, Trenton, NS, February 4, 2011 — The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced today an investment of close to $3.8 million as part of the year two funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions in First Nation communities across Nova Scotia.The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, 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 Pictou Landing First Nation community today.

“Year two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan demonstrates that our Government remains committed to improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in the great province of Nova Scotia,” said Minister MacKay. “Today’s investment will provide quality, affordable housing while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.”

A federal investment of close to $3.8 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan will be made available to thirteen First Nations in Nova Scotia to address immediate housing needs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over the past two years to help close to 500 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 –has also -provided an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

CMHC has allocated close to $2.7 million to retrofit 261 housing units on-reserve in thirteen First Nation communities in Nova Scotia, as well as nearly $1.1 million for subsidies associated with 10 new housing units under construction in six First Nations communities in Nova Scotia. In addition to Pictou Landing, the other First Nation communities across the province receiving funding include: Acadia First Nation, Annapolis Valley First Nation, Bear River First Nation, Chapel Island First Nation, Eskasoni First Nation, Glooscap First Nation, Indian Brook First Nation (Shubenacadie Band Council), Membertou First Nation, Millbrook First Nation, Paqtnkek First Nation, Wagmatcook First Nation, and Waycobah First Nation.

“Pictou Landing First Nation would like to extend appreciation to the Government of Canada for the financial support through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and CMHC. The improvement to the housing stock has extended the life of these assets and provided a healthier and safer environment for the families residing in these homes,” said Chief Aileen Francis.

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.

Media please contact:

Giselle Thibault
CMHC
Atlantic Region
902-426-8320

Charles Sauriol
CMHC
Media Relations
613-748-2799

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Janet Francis
Pictou Landing First Nation
902-752-4912


Backgrounder

Investment to Improve On-Reserve Social Housing

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations through targeted investments to build and renovate housing. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of commitments by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities.

This commitment is in addition to the federal government’s annual investment, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), of approximately $277 million for on-reserve housing needs, and INAC’s investment of approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on-reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has provided $400 million over two years to support on-reserve housing. Of the $400 million committed, $250 million is being delivered through CMHC over two years for the creation of new on-reserve housing ($125 million) and the repair and renovation of existing federally-assisted on-reserve social housing ($125 million). The remaining $150 million is being delivered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for lot servicing, renovations, new construction of high-density multi-unit dwellings, and renovations to support the conversion of band-owned housing to private ownership.

In 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on-reserve.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s CEAP Initiatives — Funding Breakdown — Nova Scotia First Nation Communities

Total — Nova Scotia
Total Funding: $3,779,614
Retrofit: $2,682,914 (261 units — 13 communities)
New Construction: $1,096,700 (10 units — six communities)

Acadia First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $375,000
Retrofit: $149,100 (11 units)
New Construction: $225,900 (2 units)

Annapolis Valley First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $97,700
Retrofit: $97,700 (10 units)

Bear River First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $19,500
Retrofit: $19,500 (6 units)

Chapel Island First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $111,064
Retrofit: $111,064 (12 units)

Eskasoni First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $833,700
Retrofit: $833,700 (64 units)

Glooscap First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $155,050
Retrofit: $39,150 (6 units)
New Construction: $115,900 (1 unit)

Indian Brook First Nation
(Shubenacadie Band Council)
Total CEAP Funding: $539,900
Retrofit: $314,700 (35 units)
New Construction: $225,200 (2 units)

Membertou First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $636,422
Retrofit: $425,722 (73 units)
New Construction: $210,700 (2 units)

Millbrook First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $306,700
Retrofit: $96,000 (4 units)
New Construction: $210,700 (2 units)

Paqtnkek Mi’kmaq Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $98,000
Retrofit: $98,000 (10 units)

Pictou Landing First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $182,189
Retrofit: $182,189 (11 units)

Wagmatcook First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $260,100
Retrofit: $151,800 (8 units)
New Construction: $108,300 (1 unit)

Waycobah First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $164,289
Retrofit: $164,289 (11 units)

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