Ottawa, Ontario (July 21, 2009) - The Government of Canada is helping to build new school facilities to ensure members of the St. Theresa Point First Nation have access to quality learning environments. This investment was made possible through the Government's $33-billion Building Canada Plan.
"Our Government is committed to investing in facilities like these for St. Theresa Point, which will help meet the educational needs of this growing community," said the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians. "We believe that quality education is key to success and projects like this will help to ensure that First Nations students gain the necessary skills to accomplish their future goals."
Funding from the Government of Canada will support the planning, design and construction of a new grade 5-8 school, as well as a junior kindergarten to grade 4 addition to the existing high school. The new facilities will accommodate approximately 350 grade 5-8 students and over 500 junior kindergarten to grade 4 students.
"This is a very welcome announcement for our community. Our kids have been in a really dire situation in terms of safe classroom space," said Chief David McDougall. "We realize that there are a lot of competing needs out there and that every need is a priority, and we are very grateful to have been selected for such a facility. We will really do our part to make this a reality and a success."
In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada augmented infrastructure programming across Canada through the creation of the $33-billion Building Canada Plan, including an $8-billion extension to the Gas Tax Fund (GTF). This extension allocates approximately $102 million for school construction in First Nations communities over a three-year period, beginning in 2009-2010 and ending in 2011-2012.
The school investment for St. Theresa Point First Nation is one of eight new schools or school renovation projects funded through the Building Canada Plan. These projects are in addition to the 10 new schools and three major school renovation projects already announced this year under Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Project costs will be identified following the competitive tendering process.
Backgrounder - The Government of Canada's Investments in Community Infrastructure for First Nations
For more information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Nina Chiarelli
Press Secretary
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
