Funding to create jobs, boost regional economy
 
Iqaluit, Nunavut — The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Lorne Kusugak,  Minister of Community and Government Services, today announced that their governments are jointly investing in 18 infrastructure initiatives across Nunavut. These
initiatives will provide important infrastructure improvements in the territory and will support economic and social growth in the region.
 
“Infrastructure investments are playing a vital role in our economic recovery and in the creation of jobs for Canadians,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “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 invaluable benefits for Nunavut’s economic and social potential and ensure a bright and secure future for all who live and work in Nunavut.”
 
“The Building Canada Fund will aid in meeting goals and objectives set out by the Government of Nunavut,” said Minister Kusugak. “This funding not only creates jobs in our communities, but provides essential infrastructure such as Hamlet offices, community halls, and airport facilities for all Nunavummiut.”
 
The funding announced today supports the construction, upgrades or improvements for 18 initiatives, identified as priorities in Nunavut’s 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10 Capital Plans, under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, which is part of the Building Canada Plan. 
 
Included among these initiatives are the construction of new airport equipment shelters; the construction of new hamlet offices; and upgrades and paving of local roads. The 18 initiatives jointly funded by Canada and Nunavut have a total eligible cost of more than $70 million. Nunavut is working closely with the federal government to ensure that infrastructure funds are spent on priorities throughout the territory.
 
Under the Canada-Nunavut Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement, Nunavut will receive a total of $182.68 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, green energy, regional and community airports, as well as safe roads, and recreational
infrastructure. 
 
The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. 

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.



Backgrounder

CANADA AND NUNAVUT SUPPORT KEY INFRASTRUCTURE

Canada and Nunavut are working together to support key infrastructure under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s infrastructure plan.

Eighteen initiatives identified for funding under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund through Nunavut’s 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 Capital Plans were announced today. The total eligible cost for these initiatives is $70.03 million and they will be funded jointly by the governments of Canada and Nunavut.

In addition to today’s announcement, on November 20, 2009, the Governments of Canada and Nunavut announced funding for the Pond Inlet sporting arena, an initiative identified as part of Nunavut’s 2009-2010 Capital Plan. The federal and territorial governments are jointly investing $4.564 million in the initiative.

And on April 9 2009, the Governments of Canada and Nunavut announced funding for construction of the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural Facility in Clyde River, an initiative identified as part of Nunavut’s 2008-2009 Capital Plan.

Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, Canada will provide a total of $182.68 million overall to infrastructure initiatives throughout the territory.