Community celebrates opening of Merchants Corner on Selkirk Avenue

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, April 28, 2018 — The government of Canada and Manitoba along with Elders Stan McKay and Ann Callahan celebrated the opening of Merchants Corner, an innovative education, community and housing hub in Winnipeg’s North End.

The 100 year-old Merchants Hotel, along with six adjoining city lots, now hosts The University of Winnipeg’s Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies and the Community Education Development Association (CEDA) — Pathways to Education. The new facility includes 30 affordable rental housing units, with priority for students with children in one, two and three-bedroom configurations.

Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Scott Fielding, Minister of Families along with representatives from North End Community Renewal Corporation made the announcement today.

Quick facts:

• The federal and provincial governments, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Manitoba Housing and Community Development, jointly contributed over $15 million under the Federal-Provincial investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement
• A community coalition of approximately 20 North End organizations including the North End Community Renewal Corporation, Urban Circle Training Centre Inc., The Selkirk Avenue BIZ, Andrews Street Family Centre, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc., CEDA, the University of Winnipeg Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies and SEED Winnipeg joined forces to redevelop Merchants Hotel.
• The community raised an additional $2.7 million from generous donors for capital costs, technology infrastructure and training spaces within the complex.
• In addition to new offices and classrooms equipped with smart boards, the facility includes community use space for preschool literacy programming.

Quotes:

“Innovative projects like Merchants Corner are only possible through strong community partnerships and all levels of government working together. Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need to tackle housing affordability in areas like Winnipeg’s North End. Access to adequate, affordable housing combined with better education is the foundation for socio-economic success, and I’m confident we’re going to keep seeing the positive outcomes from this unique project for many years to come.”
— Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North

“Manitoba Housing is proud to be a partner in the Merchants Corner project that has brought a community vision to life. This redevelopment in the heart of the North End is designed to meet the renewed needs of the neighbourhood. By providing affordable, accessible housing and an educational hub, students will be supported as they complete their schooling.”
— Honourable Scott Fielding, Minister of Families and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kirkfield Park

“The redevelopment of Merchants Corner is another important milestone in the North End’s renewal efforts. This project is a prime example of what can be accomplished when communities are empowered to design initiatives and work with partners to bring their vision to life.”
— Dawn Sands, Executive Director, North End Community Renewal Corporation

Associated links:

• As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642.

Media contacts:

Émilie Gauduchon
Office of Minister Duclos
819-654-5546
Emilie.Gauduchon@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Leonard Catling
CMHC
604-787-1787
lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

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