Harper Government Congratulates the Lax Kw'alaams Band on the Start of Construction for their Community School

PRINCE RUPERT, BC, Sept. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today congratulated the Lax Kw'alaams Band on the start of construction for their community school, one of the shovel-ready school infrastructure projects funded through Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012.

"Our Government is committed to ensuring that First Nation members, like the children at Lax Kw'alaams Band, have access to the same quality educational facilities that are available to all Canadians," said Minister Valcourt. "We will continue to work with our First Nation partners on shared priorities to help our youth get the best start, so that they can prepare for their future and contribute to strong and vibrant communities."

"The new school will play an important role in supporting the community's focus on education and skills investment in youth," said Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Garry Reece. "It will allow our children to learn and grow within our community, while preparing them for a future where they can make a contribution to our economic development goals. We would like to thank Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada for their support on this project, which is so important for our community."

Budget 2012 provided $175 million over three years to build and renovate schools on reserve, providing First Nation youth with better learning environments. The Lax Kw'alaams Band School is one of four schools being built in First Nation communities in British Columbia through an allocation of $35 million from Budget 2012. The Lax Kw'alaams Band, in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), is responsible for managing all aspects of this project.

In addition to Budget 2012 investments, AANDC continues to make major investments in the order of $200 million annually to support school infrastructure in First Nation communities across the country.

Lax Kw'alaams Band is located 30 km north of Prince Rupert, B.C. The community has 3,594 members, with an on-reserve population of 739.

Backgrounder: Government of Canada Invests in First Nation Schools in British Columbia

This release is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada
819-953-1160

Minister's Office
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
819-997-0002

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