Thursday, January 15, 2026
The federal government is investing $6 million in infrastructure improvements for Semiahmoo First Nation to support future housing including water and wastewater system upgrades.
Parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indigenous services Ginette Lavack and Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell announced the investment on Jan. 15, including a planned 32-unit BC Housing development at Semiahmoo Indian Reserve No. 1.
The funding will support the extension of Semiahmoo First Nation’s water and wastewater systems to service the future housing development and the site will be connected to the City of Surrey’s municipal systems, an Indigenous Services Canada release said.
In addition, the funds will be used to level and clear the site, build roads, and install other utility services.
“We, Semiahmoo leadership, are deeply grateful for the federal government’s $6 million Infrastructure investment into our community. This support advances our goal of bringing our people back home to Semiahmoo Bay, the place of our ancestry,” Chief Chappell said.
“Investments in water and wastewater systems are foundational to building healthy, resilient communities, and I commend the Nation’s leadership in advancing this important work. Our government remains committed to working in partnership with Semiahmoo First Nation and the Government of British Columbia to support their long-term infrastructure vision,” federal minister of Indigenous services Mandy Gull-Masty said.
Semiahmoo First Nation is located in Surrey, B.C. just north of the Canada-US border. In 2021 the community lifted a long-term drinking water advisory after connecting their community to Surrey, B.C.’s municipal water system.
