The Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has announced that the Malahat First Nation and Cowichan Tribes will be receiving a total of $66.7 million to help build on-reserve housing and other infrastructure projects.
This funding is coming to the First Nations via the CIB’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII), which to date, has provided over $1 billion in project funding.
The Malahat Nation will get a total of $57.8 million as a loan to help fund the replacement of a 28-year-old water treatment plant that is at capacity. Furthermore, they will be building a new wastewater treatment plant to replace currently failing septic beds.
This increased water capacity will help the Nation enhance their capacity for emergency preparedness, while the new wastewater system will better protect local groundwater, the ecosystem and shellfish beds in Saanich Inlet.
“Today marks a significant step forward — not just for this project, but for the well-being of our entire community,” said Chief Gordon Harry, Malahat Nation.
“The CIB’s investment in these developments will help deliver a modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure. These next steps are vital in creating a brighter future for the next generations, bringing both meaningful employment and the much-needed housing our Nation deserves.”
This investment will also amplify Indigenous Services Canada’s $15.8 million contribution to unlock development on Malahat’s primary reserve lands, which are located around 25 kilometres northwest of Victoria. This will enable new housing and economic development opportunities.
On these lands, planned developments include over 200 housing units, a building for an aerospace manufacturing company and a battery plant.
The remaining $8.9 million of the CIB’s loan to these Nations will support a project by Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC), dubbed Rivers Edge, in partnership with BC Housing.
Rivers Edge will be another 200 unit housing project on Cowichan Tribes reserve land, which will be wholly owned by the Cowichan Tribes.
This development will include two rental buildings, commercial space, an outdoor kitchen, children’s play area and community gardens.
“As the largest First Nation in BC by population with more than 5,500 citizens, the need for housing for our families is acute,” said Chief Sulsulxumaat Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes.
“However, there are many complex challenges to building on-reserve housing.”
Chief Daniels continued by commending the organizations who helped unlock this loan, saying it will surely transform the lives of Cowichan Tribes residents.
According to the CIB, economic benefits generated by the project will be reinvested into the community to support long-term prosperity.
