LENNOX ISLAND, PEI, March 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in infrastructure is a key pillar of the Government of Canada's strategy to support First Nations in sustaining healthy and strong communities.
Today, Robert J. Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced investments of $1.8 million toward infrastructure and planning projects in Lennox Island First Nation. These investments will support bridge repairs, comprehensive community planning, housing capacity development, housing renovations and a school building condition assessment.
In addition to investments in infrastructure, the Government of Canada also works in partnership with First Nation communities to support comprehensive community plans to build strong, healthier and more sustainable communities. Comprehensive Community Planning is a mechanism for First Nations-led community engagement that promotes capacity building and long term priority-setting.
Quotes
"The Lennox Island Band Council is pleased to be able to address our many needs as it relates to infrastructure. Our role in the success has been our planning, we have a capital plan which prioritizes our capital needs, we are very happy with the funding that we have received to help in our much needed repair work on the bridge which was built the same year as the Souris Bridge. We were also able to address other items in our capital plan: road repair, housing repairs, capacity development and school repairs. We still have much to do to continue to tackle our capital plan items."
Chief Matilda Ramjattan
Lennox Island First Nation
"I am happy the community of Lennox Island has received this funding to further develop and maintain infrastructure that is important to the quality of life of members. Our Government is committed to supporting infrastructure development in communities because we recognize that it is an important step towards a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations."
Robert J. Morrissey
Member of Parliament
Quick Facts
- Budget 2016 makes historic investments of $4.6 billion over five years to support infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
- This year, the Government of Canada invested $6 million to support comprehensive community planning in 75 First Nation communities.
Associated Links
- Budget 2016
- Lennox Island
- News Release: Government of Canada supports First Nations' planning for the future of their communities
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SOURCE Government of Canada
Media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160
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