MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Sept. 28, 2016) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan, along with Zarkor Construction Ltd., today celebrated the official opening of 40 new rental units for low income individuals, couples and families in greatest housing need.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and Shaheen Zareh, President of Zarkor Construction Ltd., made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The project consists of 10 bachelor, 15 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom suites.
• The Federal and Provincial governments, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), jointly contributed $1.2 million through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) Agreement.
• The project is located in the Walter Scott Building at 12 High Street East, Moose Jaw. It is a Municipal Heritage Property comprising of two commercial lots near the centre of Moose Jaw's historic downtown commercial district. The property features a six-storey office building faced with brick and Tyndall stone, located on the northeast corner of Main and High Streets.
• The heritage value of the property also lies in its association with Walter Scott, who added the Moose Jaw Times-Herald to his newspaper holdings in 1894. Scott also represented the area in the first government of Saskatchewan in 1905 and served as Premier until his retirement in 1916.

Quotes:

"Our Government is committed to improving the quality of life for Canadians. Addressing housing in Moose Jaw and across Canada is a collective responsibility. Partnerships with the community and the province are essential to successfully create affordable housing options for individuals and families in need." - Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

"We are pleased to work with our partners to renovate the Walter Scott Building and provide Moose Jaw citizens with another affordable rental housing option. Our goal is to support individuals and families in greatest housing need and this conversion will provide 40 units of much needed housing in this community. This project will keep Saskatchewan strong and, most importantly, help Saskatchewan people have a safe place to call home." - Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

"Zarkor Construction is very proud to announce the completion of the revitalization of the Walter Scott Building in downtown Moose Jaw. The building will become home to 40 families and bring stability to the Downtown Core." - Shaheen Zareh, President, Zarkor Construction Ltd.

Associated links:

• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of CMHC's operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.

• In October 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan released the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.2 million people by 2020. The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested almost $700 million to develop and repair more than 14,600 homes around the province.

• Canadians are invited to help shape the National Housing Strategy by joining the conversation on www.LetsTalkHousing.ca. Your ideas will help shape the future of housing in Canada.

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