Canada’s Economic Action Plan Gets Shovels in the Ground in the Northwest Territories

• Backgrounder: Stimulus Fund at Work in the Northwest Territories
• Backgrounder: Provincial-Territorial Base Funding in the Northwest Territories

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, September 10, 2009 – The Honourable Dennis Patterson, Senate nominee for Nunavut, and the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Finance for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, today announced that communities across the Northwest Territories will benefit from investments in key infrastructure priorities, thanks to a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories.“”The number one priority of our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is to stimulate our economy and create jobs,”” said Senate nominee Patterson. “”Working together, we can build the infrastructure that will allow the Northwest Territories and its economy to thrive now and in the future. I am delighted that these projects reflect priorities of the territorial government, based on the needs of both large and small communities,”” he added.

“”These investments will improve key transportation, recreation, and municipal infrastructure priorities,”” added Minister Miltenberger. “”The funding for these projects will create jobs and help build stronger, sustainable, vibrant communities, which our Government supports through the Northerners Working Together strategic initiatives.””

The Government of Canada will provide up to $3.6 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) to help complete 15 priority infrastructure projects worth more than $7.9 million. The Government of the Northwest Territories will contribute up to $2.2 million towards the eligible costs of these projects, while the remaining costs will be funded by community governments.

In addition, the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are providing joint funding under the Provincial-Territorial (PT) Base Fund to support 26 infrastructure initiatives (and eligible administration costs) worth $85.8 million that were approved in the Northwest Territories’ 2009-10 Accelerated Capital Plan. These investments will result in immediate and long-term job creation and construction across the territory. Details about the ISF projects and a list of the PT Base Fund initiatives are available in the attached backgrounders.

Projects range from relocation of airports in Colville Lake and Trout Lake, to water and sewer improvements in Aklavik, Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort McPherson and Fort Simpson; from construction of community recreation facilities, offices or complexes in Enterprise, Ulukhaktok, Gameti, Bechoko, Kakisa and Dettah, to arena upgrades in Fort Providence and a youth complex in Fort Resolution. Also included in the announcement is road work in Tuktoyaktuk and Dettah, construction of an above-ground pool in Tulita, a new fire hall in Gameti, and construction of a wilderness lodge on the Hay River Reserve.

Canada and the Northwest Territories are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that will help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together with the NWT Association of Communities to ensure that these infrastructure funds are delivered quickly and efficiently for priority initiatives throughout the territory. For more information about infrastructure projects in the Northwest Territories, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca

The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding existing federal investments in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years. Through the federal Building Canada plan, the Government of Canada has committed more than $277 million to infrastructure projects throughout the Northwest Territories. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit This link will lead you outside the Building Canada website. www.actionplan.gc.ca

For more information, contact:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Drew Williams
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-669-2304