Canada's Economic Action Plan creates jobs and improves housing on reserve in
Alberta

BLOOD TRIBE FIRST NATION, AB, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $1.2 million as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for the Blood Tribe First Nation community.

Ted Menzies , Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Macleod, 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 Chuck Strahl , Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians (INAC), made the announcement along with members of the Blood Tribe First Nation community.

"Our Government's Economic Action Plan is delivering support for improvements in housing conditions for members who live in First Nation communities in Alberta and we are also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs," said Parliamentary Secretary Menzies.

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

Through CMHC and INAC some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Alberta to address immediate housing needs. CMHC is contributing $695,000 to retrofit 42 social housing units on-reserve for the Blood Tribe First Nation while INAC is contributing $592,000 for other renovations and lot servicing.

"In regards to BTEST Construction Training Program, the Blood Tribe continues to move forward in building capacity and providing skilled labour, for our local labour force. We wish to acknowledge all stakeholders including Government, Industry, and the Blood Tribe, in its effort to meet the housing and infrastructure needs of our Blood Tribe members," said Chief Charles Weasel Head. "This program is much needed and will provide many opportunities for our members and at the same time improve the housing conditions here in our community."

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 attached

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 the next 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 and could create 25,000 new housing units over the next decade.

For further information: Media please contact: Michelle Bakos, Office of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, [phone]; Kimberlee Jones, CMHC, Prairie & Territories, Communications & Marketing, [phone]; Michelle Yao, Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, [phone]; Charles Sauriol, CMHC Media Relations, [phone]; Rick Tailfeathers, Blood Tribe First Nation, [phone]