Canada’s Economic Action Plan creates jobs and improves housing on reserve in Alberta

June 10, 2010

Fort McMurray, AB — The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $4.4 million as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for seven First Nation communities in Alberta. 

Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray-Athabasca, 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 Alberta,” said Parliamentary Secretary Jean.

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 Alberta to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC allocated $1,124,325 to retrofit 56 existing housing units on-reserve in Alberta, as well as $3,340,000 for subsidy associated with 16 new housing units to be constructed in two First Nation communities in Alberta.

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. 




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 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 will be 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 will be 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.




Investment to Improve On-Reserve Social Housing Funding Breakdown – Alberta First Nation Communities


Athabasca Chipewyan Prairie
Total CEAP Funding: $87,000
Retrofit: $87,000 (4 units)

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $1,806,000
Retrofit: $96,000 (3 units)
New Construction: $1,710,000 (10 units)

Fort McKay First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $2,102,300
Retrofit: $468,300 (20 units)
New Construction: $1,630,000 (6 units)

Swan River First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $68,570
Retrofit: $68,570 (6 units)

Sucker Creek First Nation
Total CEAP Funding: $56,000
Retrofit: $56,000 (3 units)

Driftpile First Nation
Total CEAP Funding:
Retrofit: $75,750 (10 units)

Cold Lake
Total CEAP Funding:
Retrofit: $272,705 (10 units)