Canada Infrastructure Bank Invests $6.4M In New Wastewater Treatment Plant Owned By Shishalhe Nation Government District

Investment will bring economic, environmental and employment benefits to Shishalhe Nation

Sechelt, BC /CNW/ - Today the Canada Infrastructure Bank ( CIB ) and shishalhe Nation's district government announced the financial close of an agreement, that the CIB is lending more than $6 million to support a new Port Stalashen wastewater treatment plant as part of its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative.

The plant will be located on Shishalhe Nation lands near Sechelt , British Columbia and will play a vital role in fostering economic growth, protecting the coastal environment and safeguarding public health by improving the outfall. The investment will serve the Shishalhe Nation, which has a population of over 1,500, and the land tenants of Shishalhe (Tsawcome) No. 1 Nation.

The current sewage treatment plant, owned and operated by the Shishalhe Nation Administration District for 26 years, has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced. This new replacement plant and upgraded outfall will serve 91 connected residential units and allow for the conversion and connection of 88 buildings that currently rely on septic water treatment systems. The additional capacity provided by this plant allows Shishalhe Nation to develop and connect future high-density residential developments. It also has additional capacity to connect future nearby developments in the Sechelt District .

Investment in new wastewater treatment will significantly reduce the environmental impact of the oceans by significantly improving the quality of wastewater, which will meet more stringent modern wastewater standards in the distant future.

The Shishalhe Nation Administration District will own the new plant and will be responsible for the procurement, project management and operation of the new facility, thereby fulfilling important principles of self-determination. This project will also provide employment and training opportunities for First Nations community members working on the project.

According to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, the infrastructure deficit for all First Nations in Canada is in the order of $25 billion to $30 billion. By applying for CIB funding , the Shishalhe Nation will have access to affordable capital to accelerate and future-proof their community's infrastructure needs.

Quick facts:

• The CIB is committed to investing $35 billion over the long term across its priority sectors, with the goal of investing a minimum of $1 billion in partnership with and for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples .
• Under the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, the CIB invests in community projects that provide a direct service or benefit to one or more Indigenous communities to fill the infrastructure gap.
• This project represents BIC 's first investment in wastewater treatment.

Quotes:
Through our Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, we are proud to partner with the Shishalhe Nation to help close the infrastructure gap and invest in this important project. Our investment will accelerate the creation of a new community wastewater treatment plant, bringing infrastructure, economic and environmental benefits to the Nation. We intend to continue our collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada to enable inclusive and sustainable infrastructure projects.
Ehren Cory , President and CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

The Shishalhe Nation is very pleased with the arrangements for the long term funding of this project. This illustrates the excellent working relationship that exists between our municipal First Nations government and the CIB . The agreement reminds me why our Nation decided to go down the road of self-government in the first place. It shows how problems can be solved effectively through discussion and a collaborative agreement. This bodes well for the future.
Henry Warren Paull , leader of the Nation on shishalhe