Lac Seul First Nation, Ontario (July 14, 2009) -
The Government of Canada is helping to build two new schools to help ensure members of the Lac Seul and Cat Lake First Nations have access to quality learning environments. The Government's $33-billion Building Canada Plan   has made this investment possible.

"We are continuing to make strong investments in projects like these two new schools, which will provide lasting, sustainable benefits for First Nation communities," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "We recognize the talent and potential in First Nations youth and believe that investing in a quality education is the key to success."

The school for the Lac Seul First Nation will be a new kindergarten-to-grade eight facility accommodating approximately 112 students. Construction will get underway in the fiscal year 2009-2010, and is expected to be finished in September 2011. The Lac Seul First Nation is located 15 kilometres west of Sioux Lookout.

Lac Seul First Nation Chief Clifford Bull said, "This new school will improve the educational outcomes for our community's students and represents hope for our young people, who will one day be our leaders."

The Government of Canada is also investing in the construction of a new school in the Cat Lake First Nation. This kindergarten to grade eight facility will accommodate approximately 138 students. Construction is scheduled for 2011, and is expected to be complete by September 2012. The Cat Lake First Nation is located approximately 179 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

"This new school will provide a sound educational environment for promoting the well being of First Nation students and helping them achieve and excel in every aspect of their learning," added Chief Mathew Keewaykapow of Cat Lake First Nation.

In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada took steps to augment infrastructure programming across Canada through the creation of the $33 billion Building Canada Plan, including an $8-billion extension to the Gas Tax Fund (GTF). An extension to the GTF this year allocates approximately $102 million for school construction in First Nations communities over a three-year period, beginning in 2009-2010 and ending in 2011-2012.

"This announcement is so very important for the communities of Lac Seul and Cat Lake," said Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora. "Our Government recognizes the importance of education in First Nation communities and we are delivering on our promises to improve the lives of First Nation Canadians."

These schools are two of eight new schools or school renovation projects funded through the Building Canada Plan. These projects are in addition to the 10 new schools and three major school renovation projects already announced this year under Canada's Economic Action Plan  .
Project costs will be identified following the competitive tendering process.

The Government of Canada’s Investments in Community Infrastructure for First Nations

The Government of Canada's investments in community infrastructure for First Nations help to stimulate economic growth and improve quality of life on reserves. The federal government invests approximately $1 billion annually in community infrastructure, which includes housing, water and wastewater systems, education facilities (including schools, teacherages, and other related facilities) and other infrastructure (eg. roads and bridges, fire protection, electrification, and community facilities).

Federal investments to support infrastructure in First Nations communities focus on: mitigating health and safety risks; maximizing the life span of a physical asset; ensuring infrastructure meets applicable codes and standards; and ensuring community infrastructure is managed in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
The Government of Canada took further steps to accelerate infrastructure programming across Canada through the creation of the $33-billion Building Canada Plan  . The Building Canada Plan, announced in 2007, contributes funding for local projects that help improve the economic vitality and quality of life in communities, thereby ensuring that Canadians have access to safer roads and bridges, shorter commutes, improved cultural infrastructure, and cleaner air and water to help keep families healthy.

First Nations Schools
Funding for eight new schools or school renovation projects in First Nations communities is provided through Building Canada Plan's Gas Tax Fund (GTF) extension. The GTF extension allocates over $102 million over a three-year period, beginning in 2009-2010 and ending in 2011-2012, specifically for First Nations education facility construction and renovation projects.
New Schools announced to date are:
Morley community of the Stoney Tribe
Funding will support the design and construction of a Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school in the Morley community of the Stoney Tribe, to accommodate a projected enrolment of 500 students. High school students will be accommodated in the existing community school, which will be renovated as part of the project.
Lac Seul First Nation
The new school for the Lac Seul First Nation will be a Kindergarten to Grade Eight facility accommodating approximately 112 students. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009-2010, and is expected to be complete in February 2011. The Lac Seul First Nation is located 15 kilometres west of Sioux Lookout.
Cat Lake First Nation
The new school for the Cat Lake First Nation will be a Kindergarten to Grade Eight facility accommodating approximately 138 students. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2011, and is expected to be complete by September 2012. The Cat Lake First Nation is located approximately 179 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

Education Facilities
The federal government continues to make major investments to support a wide range of school infrastructure projects including operation and maintenance, study and design, renovations, minor repairs and new construction. Planned expenditures for 2008-09 are $236 million.
The $102-million Building Canada Plan investment for First Nation education facilities is in addition to the $515 million announced through Canada's Economic Action Plan, which identified an investment of $200 million over two years for 10 new schools and three major school renovation projects on-reserve.
Since April 2006, 56 school projects have been completed. There are now 64 ongoing school projects receiving funding from the federal government.