NORTH SPIRIT LAKE FIRST NATION, ONTARIO (September 28, 2011) – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today congratulated the North Spirit Lake First Nation on the grand opening of the Victoria Linklater Memorial School. This project was made possible through an investment under Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP).
"Ensuring that the students in North Spirit Lake First Nation receive a quality education is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Greg Rickford. "With this new school, the young students of North Spirit Lake First Nation now have a safe and welcoming learning environment to help them reach their full potential."
The Victoria Linklater Memorial School is a four-classroom facility built to accommodate 96 students from kindergarten to grade 9. The school is 1,545 square metres in size and houses a library with a computer laboratory, a gymnasium and an administration office. It also features a baseball diamond, a soccer pitch and a separate fenced area for kindergarten children, which includes play equipment.
"The children of North Spirit Lake have a beautiful new school to learn and grow in," said Chief Rita Thompson. "This facility will be an asset to our community for current and future generations to come."
The new school was built thanks to a $14.4 million investment under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and an additional investment of $1.5 million through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program.
The Government of Canada is taking action to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in First Nation communities through targeted infrastructure investments. Investments in school infrastructure projects will help ensure First Nation students have a strong and productive educational experience.
In the last two years, the Government of Canada has provided over $173 million across the country to build new and renovate existing First Nation schools under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. This is in addition to the Government of Canada’s annual investments of approximately $200 million to support school infrastructure projects and the operation and maintenance of existing facilities in First Nation communities.
North Spirit Lake First Nation is located in northwestern Ontario and is accessible only by air or winter road. It has a total population of 466, of whom 414 live on reserve.
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