NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FUNDING FOR NORTEP STUDENT HOUSING

The Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) will receive $350,000 for the renovation of 48 apartments to house students in La Ronge as part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).

The funding will be used to renovate two apartment buildings with 48 suites as safe, affordable accommodation for northern students attending NORTEP teacher education and certification.

In 2003, NORTEP and the Northern Professional Access College (NORPAC) purchased the McKay and Irving apartment complex. Renovations were completed on the Irving Block and it was opened to student housing last fall. The $350,000 NDA funding will be used to complete the McKay Block renovations and the entire complex will accommodate 86 students in September 2004.

"Affordable housing for these students will have a direct influence on the success of Aboriginal people across the North," Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said. "The $350,000 NDA funding will mean immediate housing benefits for students. Improved access to education for northerners will be enjoyed for generations to come."

"This government has committed to making education one of its top priorities and we are demonstrating that commitment today by investing in northern students," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "Affordable housing for post-secondary students in the North is a good investment that will pay dividends in the form of well educated, successful northern Aboriginal youth."

"The project allows for northerners to continue educational advancements in the North, a fundamental priority for the Northern Development Board Corp. Northern students advancing their studies in the North tend to have a higher success rate," Chairperson of the Northern Development Board Corp Al Rivard said. "Not only does the funding of this project mean lower costs for students, but it will also provide NORTEP the opportunity to operate with southern universities on the same level as most southern educational institutions do offer accommodations as a draw for potential students."

NORTEP was established in 1976 and provided northerners, especially those of Aboriginal ancestry, with improved access to education. About 300 teachers have graduated from the program since the program inception and about 85 per cent of the teachers graduating from NORTEP have stayed to teach in the North.

The NDA tripartite committee selects the NDA projects. The NDA tripartite committee has representatives from the federal and provincial governments and the Northern Development Board Corp. (NDBC). The NDBC includes the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North), and the Athabasca Economic Development and Training Corporation.

The five-year, $20-million agreement - funded with $10 million each from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan - provides opportunities for northerners in five strategic priority areas including economic infrastructure, innovation, realizing employment opportunities, capacity building and investment attraction.

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For More Information, Contact:

John Charlton Northern Affairs Regina Phone: (306) 787-5061

Dean Desjarlais Northern Development Board Corp. La Ronge Phone: (306) 425-2444