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CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES OVER $40 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF QUEBEC FIRST NATIONS

Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, October 27, 2006 – As part of the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, was pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s contribution of over 40 million to the First Nations of Quebec to address commitments sought by Quebec First Nations in matters of infrastructure, housing and sustainable community development.

The Government of Canada’s funding can be broken down as follows:

Infrastructure and Housing

• Quebec is receiving $38.2 million through the off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust, set up in the Federal Budget to support investments to increase the supply of rental housing and enhance home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians living off-reserve.
  
  
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is investing a total of $1,234,000 for the rehabilitation and management (eg, mitigation measures, monitoring, characterization) of contaminated sites on reserve.
  
  
• Health Canada will continue funding of $650,000 per year to support the five year Drinking Water Strategy for First Nation in Quebec.
  
  
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is contributing to capacity building by providing $100,000 in financial assistance for establishing a housing co-ordinator position that reports to the Assembly of First Nations. A total of $300,000 will go to setting up pilot projects for looking into innovative housing approaches in communities.
  
  
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is allocating $70,000 for developing a co-operation/co-ordination approach for partners involved in community water management and supporting First Nations in carrying out their responsibilities
  
  
• Health Canada will continue to increase training in water quality monitoring in aboriginal communities.

Sustainable community development

• Through the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is contributing $30,000 to the Regroupement des Centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec for conducting a study to better understand the urban situation of Aboriginals, needs, challenges and issues.

“Canada’s New Government is committed to working with Aboriginal, provincial and territorial leaders to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal people,” stated Minister Prentice. “We are proud to continue to support First Nations in developing healthy, prosperous communities”.

For more information, please contact:

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development
(613) 997-0002

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