The Morley school is one of eight new schools or school renovation projects funded through the $33-billion Building Canada Plan. These projects will be announced in coming weeks and are in addition to 10 new schools and three major school renovation projects already announced this year under Canada's Economic Action Plan .

“We are committed to investing in projects like this new school, which will provide lasting, sustainable benefits for First Nation communities, " said Minister Strahl. “Providing access to quality First Nations schools that meet the educational needs of this growing community will ensure Stoney Tribe students can acquire skills in their own community that they will need to succeed.”

Funding from the Government of Canada will support the new Morley elementary school, which is projecting enrolment of 500 First Nation students. The school will benefit current elementary school students and provide needed capacity and facilities for the future. High school students will use the existing community school, which will also be renovated as part of the project.

"Our lobbying for the school was truly a labour of love," said the three Stoney Nation Chiefs: Chief David Bearspaw, Chief Bruce Labelle and Chief Clifford Poucette. "We listened to our membership and made it the number-one priority to serve our people. We love our children and they deserve the same benefits as any other children in Canada. We are extremely pleased that today's announcement signifies that, in partnership, the three Stoney First Nations and Canada can do great things."

“A new school at Morley was much needed and as the local Member of Parliament I'm proud to say that today our government is delivering once again,” said Blake Richards, the Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, which includes the Stoney reserve.

In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada took steps to augment infrastructure programming across Canada through the creation of the $33-billion Building Canada Plan, including an $8-billion extension to the Gas Tax Fund (GTF). An extension to the GTF this year allocates approximately $102 million over a three-year period, beginning in 2009-2010 and ending in 2011-2012 for education facilities in First Nations communities.

Project costs will be identified following the competitive tendering process.