/R E P E A T -- Government of Canada supports Economic Development in T'Sou-ke Nation, British Columbia/

T'SOU-KE NATION, BC, April 27, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations to support community-driven economic development opportunities and growth in Indigenous communities.

Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced $988,637 in funding which enabled the first phase of the construction of a gas station, convenience store and Tim Hortons restaurant on T'Sou-ke Indian Reserve No. 1. The completed project creates jobs and new business opportunities for the community and its members.

This project is a T'Sou-ke Nation initiative to create economic development on reserve. Departmental funds were used for site clearing, the construction of a water distribution and storm sewer system, road work, electrical work, and related inspections.

Funding was provided in 2017-18 through the Community Opportunity Readiness Program (CORP) of Indigenous Services Canada. CORP funding helps First Nations and Inuit communities develop business plans, expand existing Indigenous-led businesses, and launch new Indigenous-led start-ups.

In 2018-19, the Government of Canada provided almost $1.6 million of CORP funding to 14 First Nations in British Columbia. Budget 2019 is proposing to invest a further $78.9 million over five years, starting in 2019-20, with $15.8 million per year ongoing, to support First Nation and Inuit community-owned businesses and the construction of community economic infrastructure.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to economic success for First Nation communities. Community-driven projects like the one in T'Sou-ke Nation create jobs and build healthier, more sustainable communities".

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan , P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"The support from the CORP fund was invaluable to T'Sou-ke Nation as it allowed for key infrastructure to be built and allowed us to focus on the commercial development aspects of the project.  It is the cornerstone that will ultimately support the development of approximately 6 ha of commercial enterprises that will supply the T'Sou-ke Nation with revenues that will be directed towards the needs of our nation." 

Chief Gordon Planes
T'Sou-ke Nation

Quick Facts

• T'Sou-ke Nation is located in Sooke, BC, and has a population of about 260, with 135 on reserve.
• T'Sou-ke Nation anticipates its project will create 46 full-time and 32 part-time jobs, and six spin-off businesses.
• Fourteen communities in British Columbia will benefit from 2018-19 CORP funding, totaling up to $1,585,747.

Band Name	Project Name	Approved Funding
Lake Babine Nation	Gas Bar Equity Gap Funding	$250,000
Esk'etemc Indian Band	Light Industrial Development Site Planning and Design at I.R.#2	$180,000
Nuxalk Nation	Nuxalk Multiplex College and Trades Centre	$160,000
Esquimalt Indian Band	Commercial Lands Comprehensive Site Plan and Servicing Strategy	$156,000
Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government	Destination Business Plans	$140,000
Takla Lake First Nation	Takla Narrows Lodge	$110,000
Nicomen Indian Band	Thompson RV Park Redevelopment Strategy	$108,000
Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis	Revitalizing the Shores of Gwa'yas'dums	$104,000
Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation	Highway 1 Commercial Lands Planning	$94,953
Sliammon Indian Band	Tla'amin Nation Lund Hotel and Business Optimization	$93,938
Fort Nelson First Nation	Securing Fort Nelson First Nation's Forestry Operations	$67,000
Skwah Indian Band	Economic Development Opportunities and Land Designation Support	$45,879
Gwa'Sala-Nakwaxda'xw Indian Band	Developing Seafood Product Lines and Branding Strategy for International Marketing	$45,429
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc	7 Mile Master Plan	$30,548
Total		$1,585,747

Associated Links

T'Sou-ke Nation
Community Opportunity Readiness Program

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Jeff Valois, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, 613-698-2884; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [e-mail]