Canada and Nunavut Partner to Strengthen Community Infrastructure Across Nunavut

"These projects reflect our Government's commitment to develop Northern communities and celebrate the spirit, culture, and strength of Canada's Arctic," said Minister Strahl. "In keeping with Canada's Northern Strategy, these projects will strengthen community infrastructure in the territory and increase the quality of life for Nunavummiut."

These federal and territorial joint investments include three new community halls, one new community arena, three energy efficiency upgrades, a community hall retrofit and a job training program.

"These investments mean more than just new or updated buildings. We are helping to build Nunavut's future by investing in community cultural and recreational facilities - facilities where youth, adults and elders alike gather to preserve our traditional ways of life." said Levinia Brown, Deputy Premier and Minister of Community and Government Services. "These assets will provide real, day-to-day benefits to the residents of the communities."

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund assists smaller communities across Canada in meeting their infrastructure needs in areas such as water, wastewater treatment, culture, recreation, tourism, and "green" projects that reduce community environmental impacts. In Nunavut, this fund is administered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Today's announcement reinforces the federal Government's commitment to advance an integrated Northern Strategy that strengthens Canada's Arctic sovereignty, protects our northern environment, promotes northern social and economic development and improves and devolves northern governance.

This news release and backgrounder is also available on the Internet at www.inac-ainc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

The Canada-Nunavut Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

The Canada-Nunavut Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund supports smaller-scale municipal infrastructure projects that meet pressing infrastructure needs in Nunavut communities. These projects include infrastructure required for clean drinking water, wastewater, culture, recreation, tourism, and "green" projects that reduce community environmental impacts.

Under the initial Canada-Nunavut Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement signed in August 2005, the federal and territorial governments provided $16 million for capital infrastructure projects in the territory. This investment was followed by a $3.15 million "top-up" for Nunavut projects in May 2007. The total federal-territorial Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is $38.3 million.

Canada-Nunavut Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund 2008-2010

Hamlet of Grise Fiord - Community Hall Expansion

Government of Canada contribution: $750,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $750,000
Total MRIF contribution: $1,500,000

Hamlet of Arctic Bay - New Community Centre

Government of Canada contribution: $2,550,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $2,550,000
Total MRIF contribution: $5,100,000

Hamlet of Resolute Bay - New Community Arena

Government of Canada contribution: $1,270,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $3,730,000
Total MRIF contribution: $5,000,000

Hamlet of Gjoa Haven - New Community Centre

Government of Canada contribution: $2,475,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $2,475,000
Total MRIF contribution: $4,950,000

Hamlet of Igloolik - New Community Centre

Government of Canada contribution: $2,550,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $2,550,000
Total MRIF contribution: $5,100,000

Hamlet of Hall Beach - Community Hall Expansion

Government of Canada contribution: $1,000,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $1,000,000
Total MRIF contribution: $2,000,000

Hamlet of Taloyoak - Retrofit to Community Hall

Government of Canada contribution: $175,000
Government of Nunavut contribution: $175,000
Total MRIF contribution: $350,000

Nunavut - Municipal Capacity Building Project - Works Foreman
Inuktitut Training Program

Government of Canada contribution: $93,947
Government of Nunavut contribution: $292,503
Total MRIF contribution: $386,450

smaley@gov.nu.ca