THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2011) - The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced today an investment of more than $14.2 million as part of the year two funding through Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for 36 First Nation communities in Ontario. 

Greg Rickford, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement at the 9^th annual First Nation Northern Housing Conference in Thunder Bay.

"Year two of Canada's Economic Action Plan demonstrates that our Government remains committed to improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Ontario," said Parliamentary Secretary Rickford. "Today's investment will provide quality, affordable housing while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy."

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help close to 500 First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment is also providing an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Some $14.2 million in federal investments through Canada's Economic Action Plan will be made available to First Nation communities in Ontario to address immediate housing needs. CMHC will allocate over $8 million towards the renovation and retrofit of 577 units and more than $6.2 million toward subsidies for 29 new housing units for on reserve housing in Ontario.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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. 

Backgrounder attached.

INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE ON-RESERVE SOCIAL HOUSING

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations through targeted investments to build and renovate housing. Today's announcement is the latest in a series of commitments by the federal government to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities. 

This commitment is in addition to the federal government's annual investment, through Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), of approximately $277 million for on-reserve housing needs, and INAC's investment of approximately $118 million annually for First Nations on-reserve in the form of shelter allowance payments under the Income Assistance Program.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has provided $400 million over two years to support on-reserve housing. Of the $400 million committed, $250 million is being delivered through CMHC over two years for the creation of new on-reserve housing ($125 million) and the repair and renovation of existing federally-assisted on-reserve social housing ($125 million). The remaining $150 million is being delivered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for lot servicing, renovations, new construction of high-density multi-unit dwellings, and renovations to support the conversion of band-owned housing to private ownership.

In 2007, the Government invested $300 million in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which encourages market-based housing on-reserve.

First Nation	Funding		Unit
Aamjiwnaang First Nation	$	98,194	12
Batchewana First Nation	$	274,666	18
Beausoleil First Nation (New Construction)	$	1,440,000	6
Big Grassy River Nation	$	180,000	9
Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation	$	20,000	1
Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation	$	580,238	37
Chippewas of Nawash (New Construction)	$	1,010,000	6
Couchiching First Nation	$	402,000	20
Eabametoong First Nation (New Construction)	$	940,000	3
Eagle Lake First Nation	$	43,600	3
Fort William First Nation	$	226,800	21
Garden River First Nation	$	53,008	6
Ginoogaming First Nation (New Construction)	$	1,580,000	7
Henvey Inlet First Nation	$	300,000	15
Kasabonika First Nation	$	144,300	6
Lac Lacroix	$	60,175	4
M'Chigeeng First Nation	$	115,500	10
Missisaugas of Scugog Island	$	116,113	12
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne	$	435,589	28
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (New Construction)	$	530,000	4
Munsee Delaware Nation	$	65,970	5
Naotkamegwanning First Nation	$	140,300	7
Nipissing First Nation	$	200,300	10
Northwest Angle #37	$	100,000	5
Oneida Nations Thames	$	320,800	16
Pic River First Nation	$	760,000	38
Red Rock First Nation	$	86,031	11
Seine River First Nation	$	80,000	4
Serpent River First Nation	$	364,250	21
Sheguiandah First Nation	$	67,700	4
Six Nations Health Services	$	419,000	50
Six Nations of the Grand River	$	140,936	77
Taykwa Tagamou First Nation	$	300,800	15
Wahgoshig First Nation	$	105,150	6
Wahgoshig First Nation (New Construction)	$	724,500	3
Wasauksing First Nation	$	292,903	17
Wauzhushk Onigum	$	400,800	20
Weenusk First Nation	$	595,175	25
Wikwemikong Nursing Room	$	433,439	30
Wikwemikong Unceded	$	121,797	14
Total	$	14,270,034	606