Housing Update: Major Projects

The Capital, Housing & Infrastructure Department was able to secure funding to add a concrete ramp to the main entrance of the building. This project is projected to cost upwards of $220,000.00 and is fully funded by ISC. This project will go to tender in the coming weeks, and we will provide updates as we build momentum.

Initiatives to make our public spaces more accessible won’t stop here. We will continue to make efforts to ensure all of our public buildings meet accessibility standards, one stride at a time.

We would personally like to thank Desiree Isaac Pictou for advocating for accessibility initiatives, such as these. Desiree, along with many others, advocate for community inclusivity, adequate access to public services and so much more. Her advocacy ensured that this project was top priority.

ISC has approved next steps for the Blueberry Point Shoreline Protection project. Next step is to conduct a feasibility study. The feasibility study will be led by Capital, Housing & Infrastructure, Lands and Boissonnault & McGraw.

Once a feasibility study has been completed, we will move forward with requesting approval from ISC, to move forward with the tendering process. We will provide community updates as this project progresses.

Capital, Housing & Infrastructure, requested additional funding from ISC to complete street pavement, curb inlet catch basins, curbs, etc. for the end of Ranch Street. Funding has been approved and will be an add-on to Phase 3. There will be no tendering for this project because it is an addition to an existing project.

Anticipated start date is end of August 2026 with the completion date of October 1st, 2026. We will provide updates as the project progresses.

Phase 3 is progressing smoothly. We anticipate having streets paved by mid-August and having the project to be fully completed by end of September.

We would like to provide a gentle reminder that Phase 3 consists of 28 lots. These lots are not serviced, which means that they do not have connections to utilities and infrastructure. Furthermore, we do not have houses secured for the 28 lots. The current stage of the Phase 3 project only consists of clearing the lots and preparing street access.

Capital, Housing & Infrastructure, alongside Chief & Council, will continue to research loan opportunities, and other initiatives, to try to secure houses for these lots, in the future.

On a final note, we would like to say that it is only with the collaboration and contributions of community, Chief & Council, outside organizations, and dedicated staff, that major projects such as these are able to come to life. Let us continue to strive to build a better future for the next 7 generation of Ugpi’ganjig First Nation.

Wela’lin – Thank you

Capital, Housing & Infrastructure Department