The Ministry of Transportation, the Treaty Negotiation Office, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, have provided funding to support agreements with a private sector developer (Holland Creek) and the Shuswap Indian Band to build a comprehensive area road network worth $2.23 million which will support economic development on and off-reserve near the District of Invermere. Total project funding is as follows:

The road network was built in two phases. Phase I, completed in June 2004, included construction of a local road, Lakeview Drive, and intersection improvements at Highway 93/95 and Athalmer Road. This provides a direct route for existing residential areas and a new 300-home subdivision at Lakeview Meadows to Invermere, removing local traffic off the provincial Highway 93/95. Lakeview Drive and the Highway 93/95 intersection were delivered by Holland Creek Developments Inc. The Athalmer intersection was jointly delivered by Holland Creek and the Shuswap Indian Band.

Phase II, completed in October 2004, included the construction of an internal road network of Arrow Road and Kinbasket Trail, servicing new economic activity on the Shuswap Reserve and created a link to the existing intersection at Highway 93/95, and the Athalmer intersection constructed in Phase I. Funding was committed by the Treaty Negotiation Office, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and the Shuswap Band.

The provincial government supports economic development opportunities for First Nations. $300,000 of the $1.07 million of provincial funding for this project comes from an overall economic development fund of $26.5 million, allocated to 145 economic development projects that promote Aboriginal participation in shellfish aquaculture, tourism, forestry and the oil and gas sectors, as well as the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games. The Treaty Negotiations Office administers this funding and manages the implementation of these projects to assist Aboriginal people to develop the skills and expertise to actively and effectively participate in the provincial economy.

Since April 2003, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has invested $15.9 million to support 159 economic development projects in British Columbia. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, through its economic development programs, is helping to foster strong First Nation communities and economies by facilitating partnerships with the private sector, reducing obstacles and increasing access to business opportunities.

Contact:

Kelly Harris
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Attorney General and Treaty Negotiations Office
250 387-1253

Karl Freeborn
Communications Advisor
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
604 666-2944

Dean Martin
Kinbasket Development Corporation
Shuswap Indian Band
250 341-3678

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