Canada's Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing on Reserve in New Brunswick

SAINT MARY'S FIRST NATION, FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Jan. 24, 2011) - The Government of Canada announced today, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), an investment of $3.24 million as part of the year two funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions in First Nation communities across New Brunswick. 

Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, 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 along with members of the Saint Mary's First Nation community.

"Year two of Canada's Economic Action Plan demonstrates that our Government remains committed to improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in New Brunswick," said MP Allen. "Today's investment will provide quality, affordable housing while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy."

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help over 495 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 is also providing an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

A federal investment of $3.24 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan will be made available to 12 First Nations in New Brunswick to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC will allocate $2.11 million to retrofit 187 social housing units on-reserve in New Brunswick as well as $1.13 million for subsidies associated with 10 new housing units. First Nation communities across the province receiving funding include: Burnt Church, Eel Ground, Eel River Bar, Elsipogtog, Fort Folly, Indian Island, Kingsclear, Madawaska, Metepenagiag, Woodstock, Tobique and Saint Mary's.

"The Saint Mary's First Nation has applied the Canada Economic Action Plan to restore our housing stock to energy efficient healthy housing and has increased the capacity of the trades in our community. The Saint Mary's First Nation Housing Team works very hard to improve the living conditions of their community members", says Chief Candice Paul.

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 is being 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 is being 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

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's CEAP Initiatives

Funding Breakdown

New Brunswick First Nation Communities

TOTAL – New Brunswick Total Funding: $3,241,871 Retrofit: $2,114,171 (187 units – 12 communities) New Construction: $1,127,700 (10 units – 6 communities)
Burnt Church First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $371,374 Retrofit: $145,474 (9 units) New Construction: $225,900 (2 units)		Eel Ground First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $352,000 Retrofit: $236,100 (14 units) New Construction: $115,900 (1 unit)
Eel River First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $129,706 Retrofit: $129,706 (10 units)		Elsipogtog First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $694,400 Retrofit: $359,200 (26 units) New Construction: $335,200 (3 units)
Fort Folly First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $18,150 Retrofit: $18,150 (3 units)		Indian Island First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $54,450 Retrofit: $54,450 (3 units)
Kingsclear First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $311,505 Retrofit: $311,505 (21 units)		Madawaska First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $158,600 Retrofit: $46,700 (12 units) New Construction: $111,900 (1 unit)
Metepenagiag First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $198,700 Retrofit: $85,700 (8 units) New Construction: $113,000 (1 unit)		Saint Mary's First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $697,703 Retrofit: $471,903 (49 units) New Construction: $225,800 (2 units)
Tobique First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $141,600 Retrofit: $141,600 (16 units)		Woodstock First Nation Total CEAP Funding: $113,681 Retrofit: $113,681 (16 units)