The Government of Canada has provided $615,000 to replace the existing wastewater pumping station in the community of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, which has approximately 590 residents and is located 134 kilometres north of Maniwaki.
The community will also receive $530,000 for a residence to house Kitiganik primary school teachers who come from outside the community. The Algonquins of Barriere Lake Band Council has invested an additional $300,000 in this project.
An announcement was made by Dan Vandal, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, and Casey Ratt, Chief of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake.
“I welcome the announcement of these two projects, whose positive benefits will soon be felt throughout the community,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services. “Improving infrastructure in First Nations communities is a priority for our government, and we are very proud to work together with the Algonquins of Barriere Lake to implement sustainable solutions tailored to their needs.”
“I am very pleased that Barriere Lake residents will soon benefit from modern, reliable infrastructure that will help improve the First Nation’s well-being,” said Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. “I also commend the efforts of the community, which has already begun construction.”
These investments will allow the community to benefit from new, safe and reliable facilities and will also make it easier to recruit and retain teaching staff.
“We appreciate the investments made for the new wastewater station and the teacher’s residence,” said Casey Ratt, Chief of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake. “At the same time, we are also looking forward to continuing working with Canada regarding much needed community development.”
