Governments of Canada and Yukon Celebrate New Affordable Housing in Dawson City, Carmacks and Ross River

DAWSON CITY, YUKON--(Marketwire - July 7, 2011) - Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Steve Nordick, Minister Responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, officially opened a new social housing project in Dawson City today. They also announced the replacement of some older social housing units in the territory.

The $9.9 million federal contribution to the projects in Dawson City, Ross River and Carmacks, comes through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Recognizing the distinctive needs of the North, Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $200 million over two years, including $50 million for Yukon, to support the renovation and the construction of new social housing units. Overall, the Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

"Our government is pleased to be bringing more affordable housing to Yukoners who need a hand up," said MP Leef. "In the territories and throughout the country, Canada's Economic Action Plan is working and making a difference in local communities, while helping to improve the economy."

"Funding from Canada has enabled the Yukon government to construct significant housing projects throughout the territory," said Minister Nordick. "Unit by unit, we're helping more Yukoners access affordable housing. The community housing projects in Ross River and Carmacks are budgeted this fiscal year and construction is planned for this summer."

The announcement took place at the opening ceremony for the Dawson City Social Housing project, which received $6 million in federal funding and will provide 19 new units of affordable housing in the area. Close to $3.9 million in additional federal funding was also made available for 12 units of rural community housing in Ross River and Carmacks. These investments are helping to increase the quality and quantity of housing for low-income residents in the territory.

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

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.