Funding to create jobs, boost regional economy

Iqaluit, Nunavut — Six important infrastructure initiatives dedicated to supporting economic and social growth in Nunavut will get underway thanks to over $18 million in joint funding from the federal and territorial governments.

“Infrastructure investments are playing a vital role in our economic recovery and in the creation of jobs for Canadians,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, MP for Nunavut, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the North. “I am proud of the commitments our government is making to fulfill our Northern Strategy.  Infrastructure investments, like the ones we have announced today, will have important benefits for Nunavut’s economic and social potential and ensure a bright and secure future for all who live and work in Nunavut.”

“These six infrastructure funding initiatives will build on community capacity through infrastructure and will also help stimulate the economy and enhance the quality of life for Nunavummiut at the community level,” said the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services. “The funding of these projects was made possible by use of the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund administered through Infrastructure Canada.”

The funding announced today supports the construction, upgrades or improvements for six initiatives, identified as priorities in Nunavut’s 2010-11 Capital Plan under the Provincial-Territorial Base (PT Base) Fund, which is part of the Building Canada plan.

Included among these initiatives are the construction of a new community hall, new airport equipment shelters, airport terminal building improvements and the construction of new water and wastewater systems.

The PT Base Fund is designed to provide investments in key infrastructure in Nunavut for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, green energy, regional and community airports, as well as safe roads.

The Government of Nunavut is working closely with the Government of Canada to ensure that infrastructure funds are spent on priorities throughout the territory. Since 2007, over $142.6 million has been committed across Nunavut toward initiatives under the PT Base Fund.

Across all of its funds, Infrastructure Canada has now committed approximately $10.2 billion toward over 6,100 infrastructure projects as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. When combined with the contributions of our funding partners, there is close to $30.5 billion committed to infrastructure projects across the country.

For further information on infrastructure projects in Nunavut, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.