Nuxalk Nation celebrates completion of new and renovated housing

March 22, 2019 – Bella Coola, Nuxalk Territory, British Columbia – Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada is making important investments to improve housing conditions in First Nations communities, reduce overcrowding, and support the health and well-being of First Nations residents.

Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, congratulated Nuxalk Nation on the completion of a new six-unit housing complex and the renovation of 10 homes in the community.

The new homes are suited for the local climate and were designed and built by the community to meet their immediate needs. To assist with the project and support the development of the community’s workforce, Nuxalk set up a carpentry program that matched students with skilled workers.

Through Budget 2016, Indigenous Services Canada contributed $1.4 million for the new housing and an additional $250,000 for the renovations.

Quotes

“Congratulations to Nuxalk Nation on their new and renovated housing. In the process of building and renovating quality homes in their community, Nuxalk took the opportunity to set up a carpentry program that matched students with skilled workers so that they could develop key professional skills. This will help support community development now and into the future.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“The Nuxalk Nation is extremely proud of the new and renovated buildings that have been completed. Our new buildings were constructed to combat the wet west coast, and therefore will have a longer life span and provide higher quality living for residents. We accomplished three goals through the housing projects:

• 16 carpentry apprentices completed their third year;
• contributed significantly to reducing our shortfall in housing stock; and
• units were constructed to a higher standard than the National Building code.”

Chief Wally Webber
Nuxalk Nation

Quick facts

• Nuxalk Nation is located in Bella Coola, British Columbia, and has a registered population of about 1,700, with 900 living on the reserve.
• The new housing complex includes two three-bedroom row homes.
• Budget 2016 provided $554.3 million over two years to address urgent housing needs on reserves.
• Through Budget 2017 and Budget 2018, the government is investing $1.5 billion in dedicated funding over 10 years to support new constructions and repairs, as well as the development of distinctions-based housing strategies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Associated links

• Nuxalk Nation
• First Nations housing
• Interactive map: Investing in First Nations community infrastructure
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
SAC.media.ISC@canada.ca

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