Deal with Chinese developer will help improve Indigenous housing, Mtis federation says

The ManitobaMetisFederation (MMF) is hoping a new multi-million dollar business deal with Chinese investors will lead to higher quality housing for Canada's Indigenous people.

The agreement between the federation's construction organization,MetisN4 Construction, and Chinese housing developer,JingDong Industrial Corporation of Beijing, will bring in new green technology to build and repair homes for Indigenous and remote northern communities, MMF president DavidChartrandsaid.

"I think it's a great opportunity to solve housing needs and issues and costs and also environmentally, [with] a green focus,"Chartrandsaid, adding Prime Minister JustinTrudeauwas on hand to witness the signing of the agreement.

During Trudeau's recent trip to China, Chinese and Canadian firms signed dozens of deals worth more than $1.2 billion.

• China, Canada firms sign 56 deals worth more than $1.2B
• What was accomplished in China today? A look at Trudeau's key developments

Chartrand said instead of wood framed houses, the new technology calls for light steel that should give the houses a longer life span.

The plan would also ideally provide training opportunities for Indigenous workers.

"There is massive opportunity in the housing sector and we are also looking at training as part of it to evolve our people to get from apprentice to [journeymen]," Chartrand said.

"In order for it to be effective, we need a housing factory to make it work. Opening a housing factory in Manitoba will create jobs and will create great opportunity for everyone."

In exchange for the green technology and housing, Chartrand said the MMF would sell the Chinese fish products and wild rice.

"We have established this strategic partnership with Indigenous Canadians just as Canada's new government has announced new investments in Indigenous housing. We will initially assemble these new housing products and ship to Canada with the medium term objective of establishing a housing manufacturing plant in Manitoba," Jing Dong Qiu, president of Yingdong Industrial Corporation, said in a statement.