Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg have finalized their agreement for a $7.9 million loan to build critical infrastructure required for commercial and residential development on reserve.
Financing will enable construction of about one kilometre of new road, extension of water services tied into the existing water treatment system, extension of existing fixed wireless broadband and electrification of 55 new building lots. The fully serviced lots will accommodate multi-family affordable and social housing, market and staff housing and commercial use for the benefit of community members living on-reserve.
For many years, my community’s growth and development was frustrated due to a lack of land,” said Louis Kwissiwa, Chief, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg. “The recent expansion of our reserve land base provides a long overdue opportunity to proceed with urgently needed community housing and other community and economic development projects.”
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg is an Ojibwe First Nation of more than 1,000 members in northern Ontario, about 55 kilometres east of Marathon, on the eastern shores of White Lake. Due to limited developable land and lack of existing high-quality housing, only 32 per cent of its membership live on-reserve.
In 2021, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg added over 1,000 hectares of land to its nearby Pic Mobert North reserve, on which this project will be situated. Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg has already completed a land use plan for the newly added lands, which includes the new mixed commercial and residential subdivision.
With mining and forestry projects underway in the region, the new investment will ensure Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg has the infrastructure necessary to attract more off-reserve Nation members to the community.
“Through our $7.9 million partnership with Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, we can ensure this critical infrastructure is prioritized to accommodate more community services, businesses and residences,” said Ehren Cory, CEO Canada Infrastructure Bank.