Lake St. Martin First Nation Rebuilding its Flooded Community with More Housing and a New School

OTTAWA, March 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada, Manitoba and Lake St. Martin First Nation are working together to bring home residents displaced by severe flooding in 2011.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and the Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations for the Province of Manitoba, announced that 150 additional homes and a new school will be built by Lake St. Martin First Nation.

The First Nation has begun construction of the new houses, which are expected to be ready for evacuees by fall 2017.

Two housing subdivisions are planned for the newly rebuilt First Nation, with the first subdivision comprising these 150 homes. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the Province of Manitoba are working with the First Nation to finalize remaining housing needed for all evacuees who intend to return to the community.

The new Kindergarten-Grade 12 school will accommodate up to 324 students and is expected to be complete by September 2018.

Quote

"This is an important moment for many Lake St. Martin families who have been waiting a long time to return home and for a new school. Together with the Lake St. Martin First Nation leadership, we will ensure the new homes are built as quickly as possible so

displaced residents can be re-united with family, friends and reconnect with their community. We will continue to work in partnership with the Province of Manitoba and Lake St. Martin to re-build the community into a strong and thriving one."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"Manitoba is committed to concrete, meaningful actions and building strengthened relationships with our Indigenous partners toward reconciliation with the First Nations impacted by the catastrophic flooding in 2011. We are pleased to work with the federal government through investments in critical infrastructure that will build stronger, more sustainable communities and help facilitate the return home of flood-affected evacuees."

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

Quick Facts

• The housing contract represents an investment of $35.2 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 has also invested in building a dike at Lake St. Martin First Nation to provide greater flood protection than 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 Government of Canada

For more information, media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160