Lake St. Martin First Nation begins return to new community with completion of first 40 homes

WINNIPEG, Nov. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada, Manitoba and Lake St. Martin First Nation are working together to bring home residents displaced by severe flooding in 2011.

Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations for the Province of Manitoba, congratulated Lake St. Martin First Nation on the completion of 40 homes in their new community.

Lake St. Martin Chief and Council celebrated by distributing new home keys to band members, who are now able to begin the return home.

Up to 190 homes will be ready for occupation by the end of January 2018.

Water treatment and sewage treatment facilities including a new lagoon are completed. The new Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school will accommodate up to 324 students and is expected to be complete by September 2018.

Quotes

"This has been a difficult time for First Nations affected by the 2011 flood, and they are determined to rebuild as safer and stronger communities. I am thrilled that members of Lake St. Martin First Nation have started to return home to their newly rebuilt community. Our government is committed to completing the work needed to get all remaining 2011 flood evacuees home to safe and sustainable communities."

The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services

"Together with our federal and First Nations partners, our government is proud to announce the return of evacuees back to Lake St. Martin. We will continue to work positively and respectfully with the First Nations to ensure the safe return home of affected community members."

The Honourable Eileen Clarke
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations, Province of Manitoba

Quick Facts

• In addition to these 40 homes, it is expected that up to 190 homes will be completed by the end of January 2018.
• The housing project represents an investment of $49.5 million, cost-shared 50/50 between the Province of Manitoba and Canada.
• The Government of Canada is providing $19.7 million for the construction of the new school.
• Canada and Manitoba have also invested in the development and servicing of the new community site, located on higher ground above the record flood levels experienced in 2011.

Associated Links

• Manitoba 2011 Flood Recovery
  http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1392046127077/1392046402386

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Andrew MacKendrick, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 819-956-5372; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160