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Calgary, Alberta (March 26, 2009) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians today announced progress on improving housing conditions for Alberta First Nations communities.
"Our government is committed to helping provide safe and affordable housing of quality for Aboriginal people, as improving housing conditions can lead to stronger, healthier and more sustainable First Nation families and communities,"said Minister Strahl. "Today's announcement of additional funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan demonstrates our commitment to continue working in collaboration to improve First Nation housing conditions."
In Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over the next two years to support on-reserve housing. The funds are dedicated to new social housing projects, remediation of existing social housing stock and to complementary housing activities through programming from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
Approximately $50 million of this commitment will be made available to First Nations in Alberta to address on-reserve housing issues in that province. This commitment will address immediate housing needs and assist the transition to market-based housing on reserves. It will also serve as an economic stimulus for many First Nations and rural areas by generating employment, the development of skilled trades and the creation of small businesses.
Today's announcement is the latest in a series of commitments made by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities. In Budget 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on reserve and could create 25,000 new housing units over the next decade. These commitments are in addition to the federal government's annual investment of approximately $270 million for on-reserve housing needs and approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan the government is helping to improve learning environments for First Nation students, continuing practical partnership approaches for Child and Family Services, increasing access to clean, safe drinking water, delivering skills training, improving the quality of housing and infrastructure on reserve including new schools, and investing in projects that will provide lasting, sustainable benefits for First Nation communities. Many projects have already been announced and many more will be announced soon.
Backgrounder - First Nations and Northern Housing
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Nina Chiarelli
Canada Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
(819) 997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
