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WALPOLE ISLAND FIRST NATION TO BUILD $10 MILLION WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

WALLACEBURG, ONTARIO (November 25, 2005) - Rose-Marie Ur, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced $10 million to replace the current water treatment facility at Walpole Island First Nation.

“The provision of clean, safe drinking water is fundamental to closing the gap in living standards between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal Canadians,” said Ms. Ur. “Projects such as this one have a direct impact on the quality of life for members of each community.”

“The Government of Canada remains committed to working in cooperation with First Nations to improve the delivery of clean water supplies, which is critical to healthy, vibrant communities,” said Minister Scott while attending the First Minister’s Meeting in Kelowna, B.C. “Over and above today's $10 million project, INAC will provide $12.1 million in funding for 72 smaller water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades throughout Ontario over the next couple years."

In May 2003, the Government of Canada announced $600 million in new funding under the First Nations Water Management Strategy (FNWMS). The strategy is designed to improve the delivery of clean and safe water, as well as wastewater treatment services to First Nations all across Canada. In total, the Government is providing more than $1.6 billion over a five year period for water and wastewater projects in First Nation communities across Canada.

“I am proud that our community has demonstrated that by working in partnership with the Government of Canada, we can achieve a goal and have a positive impact on the lives of First Nations people,” said Dean Jacobs, Chief of the Walpole Island First Nation.

There are roughly 650 homes on-reserve at Walpole Island. All but a hand-full of houses near the southern edge of the community are serviced by the community’s current water treatment facility. This facility, operating at full capacity, will be replaced by a the new plant, scheduled to be completed in early 2008.

Since May 2003, under the FNWMS, INAC has provided a total of $67.2 million for 54 major plant upgrades or replacements which are currently under design, construction or completed in 45 First Nation communities in Ontario.

Walpole Island First Nation has an on-reserve membership of 2,200, and is located near Wallaceburg, Ontario. In 2005-2006, the community will receive $10,113,910 million in funding from INAC. Some $5.5 million will be spent for Elementary and Post Secondary education, $797,200 on Operation and Maintenance of infrastructure on-reserve, and $406,700 on housing.

For more information, please contact:

Brock Worobel
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(416) 973-2158

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