Canada's Economic Action Plan fuels Northern housing building demonstration

MORRISBURG, ON, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Northern construction and technical experts from the Nunavut Housing Corporation are on hand this week to learn how to assemble pre-built housing units before their expected delivery to the Northern territory's communities in 2010.

Guy Lauzon , Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley , Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Homelessness, and the Qulliq Energy Corporation, and Peter Scott , President of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, attended the Northern housing demonstration build at the Illamar Marshalling Yards today.

The funding for this new housing is part of a combined federal-territorial investment of $112 million over two years, under Canada's Economic Action Plan which is providing a one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing in Canada . The investment in Nunavut includes a federal investment of $100 million for Northern housing, which does not require cost-sharing by the territory, as well as a further $12 million , equally cost-shared for new housing for seniors and persons with disabilities and for the renovation and retrofit for existing federally assisted social housing.

The pre-built housing units use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Given the North's relatively short construction season, SIP housing units can be closed-in very quickly, allowing interior finish work to continue throughout the fall and winter weather conditions. As many as 141 SIP units will be delivered to Nunavut communities in 2010.

"The foundation you are laying is helping to create a long-term vision to address housing affordability in the North," said MP Lauzon. "This comes at a time when we're building real momentum for progress and recognizing the distinct needs of the North. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for Northern residents by creating jobs."

"The use of SIP housing units is one of many means used by the Housing Corporation in the continuing effort, which is shared by Ottawa and the Corporation's community partners, to meet Nunavut's housing needs," said Minister Tootoo. "SIP units far exceed energy efficiency standards, and that will mean less operating and maintenance costs in a harsh Arctic environment."

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. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Arthur McComish, Communications Consultant, Prairie and Territories Business Centre, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]