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Missanabie Cree First Nation has broken ground on the development of a new, 192-bed long-term care facility in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Representatives from the First Nation, the Ontario government and SalDan Construction Group were on hand at the future home of the Missanabie Cree Maskwa Elders Care Home on Third Line East to make the announcement Friday morning. 

“It’s not going to be just 192 beds for Missanabie Cree members - it’s going to be for elders of the Sault Ste. Marie community,” said Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Jason Gauthier, speaking with reporters following the groundbreaking. “There’s going to be an opportunity for our community members to also live in the long term care, that’s one of the reasons why we invested.”

The Ontario government will contribute 64 new beds to the new facility. 

“There’s been a great deal of advocacy chief, and you’ve been pushing for this for quite some time now, and we’ve had numerous meetings and discussions - and I’m really proud that we were able to be able to bring this to fruition and to be here today for such a special announcement,” said Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano during Friday’s announcement..

Few details regarding the financial investment and total dollar value of the new facility are being disclosed. 

“I can’t divulge that yet, but it’s a significant investment. That’s all I can say at this point,” Gauthier said. 

According to Romano’s office, there are now 376 new and 160 upgraded long-term care beds in development, under construction or completed in Sault Ste. Marie.