Canada’s Economic Action plan - Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces support for affordable Housing across Yukon

August 27, 2010

WHITEHORSE – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Government will help to provide affordable homes for families, seniors, people with disabilities and Aboriginal peoples across Yukon.  In partnership with the Government of Yukon, this project invests in the construction and retrofit of 323 new and existing housing units across the Territory. 

“Working together, we are putting Canada’s economy back on the path to growth,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The investments announced today under Canada’s Economic Action Plan will make a real and lasting difference in Yukon’s communities, improving affordable housing and offering a better quality of life for Northerners.  By building these new housing units, our Government is also creating local jobs and stimulating the territorial economy.”

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Harper Government is investing in Canadian families and businesses to build stronger communities, support home ownership and create jobs.  The plan is helping Canada emerge from the recession stronger, with a modernized, greener infrastructure and a renewed world-leading research base to build the economy of tomorrow.  The Government has already approved 54 individual EAP projects in Yukon, with more on the way, strengthening the Territory’s economy and securing the region’s long-term growth and prosperity. 


Backgrounder

Today, the governments of Canada and Yukon announced almost $24 million in support for the construction and retrofit of 323 new and existing housing units across Yukon, part of the governments’ continued support for affordable housing options for Canadians living in the North.  The Harper Government is providing almost $22 million, with the Government of Yukon contributing more than $1.8 million.

The Harper Government is committed to carrying out its vision to help Canada’s North realize its true potential as a healthy, prosperous and secure region, fulfilling essential promises made to Canadians regarding the development of the Arctic region.  Canada’s Northern Strategy is a comprehensive and clear plan which involves taking concrete action to exercise Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, protect Canada’s environmental heritage, promote social and economic development, and support Northern governance. 

The North will also benefit from Canada’s Economic Action Plan and housing and homelessness programs, which are providing up to $7.8 billion in tax relief and funding to support home ownership, to help stimulate the housing sector, and to improve housing across Canada.  This total amount includes $3.9 billion for the construction and renovation of social housing, and housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians across the country, and $600 million to address the specific housing needs in the north and in First Nations communities.  The stimulus plan includes up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. 


For more information on today’s announcement and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca.  


To find out more about how the Government of Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.