The Government of Canada has announced an investment of more than $14 million as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for 20 First Nations communities in Ontario. 

Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made the announcement in Kenora today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Ontario,” said MP Rickford.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nations communities build new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also create jobs for the communities, providing an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas.

Of the funding, $65 million will be made available specifically to Ontario First Nations in order to address immediate housing needs. CMHC allocated more than $4.7 million to retrofit 251 existing housing units on-reserve in Ontario, as well as more than $9.6 million for subsidy associated with 47 new housing units to be constructed in six First Nation communities in Ontario.

MP Rickford was pleased to announce this funding on behalf of Minister Finley, since he began his career as a nurse and spent time in many isolated First Nations communities in Ontario.

“Our Government’s investment is crucial not only to address overcrowding, but to allow communities to tackle many of the social challenges and health issues that accompany it”, said Rickford.

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.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and territorial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $110 million under the amended Canada – Northwest Territories Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

The renovation and energy retrofits undertaken on Northern United Place are expected to extend the life of a building that is essential to Northwest Territories residents. The project included the installation of a new boiler system, new siding, and window replacements.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Robert McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

“This renovation and retrofit project will improve the quality of life for residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable,” said Minister Finley. “It is also a good way to get the local economy moving because it puts construction workers and trades people to work quickly.”

“Northern United Place is one of the most important buildings in Yellowknife. It is more than a housing facility. It is where northerners attend Aurora College to become nurses, teachers, business people and community leaders. It also serves as a gathering place for public events, community presentations, and church services. I am pleased that our investment in the building will extend the useful life of this important community facility”, said the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

“Through the Affordable Housing Initiative and the matching contributions of the GNWT, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Government of Canada to improve the quality of housing throughout the Northwest Territories.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over the next five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.