Government of Canada supports health and wellbeing with a new treatment centre in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation

GULL ISLAND, NL, Sept. 25, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building a strong Canada starts with investing in the modern and reliable infrastructure that creates healthy and resilient communities.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is investing $51 billion in a wide range of infrastructure projects across the country that support health and community wellbeing, economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, transit, and climate adaptation.

To that end, Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Philip Earle, Member of Parliament for Labrador, announced a federal investment of more than $20 million in a new mental health and addictions treatment facility in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation. This project will be funded through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The new 14,890-square-foot facility will provide culturally appropriate treatment, detoxification, counselling, and wellness services incorporating traditional Innu healing practices, land-based activities, and modern therapeutic programs. The project will improve access to mental health and addiction services, reduce reliance on out-of-province treatment facilities, and support long-term healing and wellness for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build the infrastructure needed to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come. 

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to work alongside Indigenous partners as we strengthen and deliver services that reflect the needs and priorities of their communities. Today's investment in the new treatment centre in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation will help expand access to mental health and addiction services, while creating a culturally grounded space for healing, and recovery. This investment is about building stronger communities with better access to the care and the supports people need."

Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières

"The Build Communities Strong Fund is building the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day. Today's investment in a new treatment centre in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation will support community members in need and provide the tools to build a brighter future together."

Philip Earle, Member of Parliament for Labrador

"Healing is strongest when our people can remain connected to who they are. This new treatment centre will provide access to much-needed services here at home, in an environment that incorporates Innu aitun – our culture and our values. We are proud to see an investment that recognizes the needs of our community and the importance of culturally appropriate care. This is an important step forward for Sheshatshiu and one that will benefit our people for generations to come."

Chief Eugene Hart, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing up to $20,043,152 in this project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.
• Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will deliver funding through three major streams:
  • A Provincial and Territorial stream, which provides $17.2 billion over 10 years, including $5 billion in health infrastructure funding over three years;
  • A Direct Delivery stream, which provides $6 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion over 4 years as part of a Local Impact Stream that is being delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies to support community infrastructure projects with local impact; and,
  • A Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund), which provides $27.8 billion over 10 years and, indexed at 2% to deliver $3 billion per year ongoing.
• The Buy Canadian Policy is an important part of the Build Communities Strong Fund. It will help ensure that more of every public dollar goes right into the Canadian economy – creating Canadian careers, using Canadian resources, and benefiting Canadian communities.
• The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure – with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade. 
• Under the Direct Delivery stream, at least 10% of the funding will go towards investments in Indigenous communities.
• Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.

Associated Links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Prime Minister Carney launches the Build Communities Strong Fund and announces the first tranche of projects
• Prime Minister Carney shares Budget 2025 plan to build communities strong

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Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Arianna Durgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Tamarah Hill, Executive Assistant to Chief Hart, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, 709-899-6121, [email protected]