Investments in Atlantic Canada’s businesses and communities help create good-paying jobs for the middle class and open opportunities for growth and diversity. Improvements to tourism and transportation infrastructure in small, rural and remote communities like Nain spark increased growth and development, generating opportunities for economic success in the region.

“Investing in businesses like the Atsanik Inn creates jobs, diversifies and strengthens communities, and opens up Labrador to more tourists. Tourism relies on more and better infrastructure – and a prosperous economy in Atlantic Canada is buoyed by investments that help Nain, the Nunatsiavut Government and the Government of Canada bring more people to this beautiful part of the country.”

- The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

“Tourism to the northern regions of Labrador is growing in popularity due to the beautiful landscape, tranquil environment and unique cultural experiences the region offers. I am pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting the Atsanik Inn to renovate and update its facilities. Investments in our tourism infrastructure are a catalyst in developing the region’s capacity for tourism and supporting business growth and job creation. There is still a great deal of information needed before plans can proceed for a new airport in Nain. This investment will help gather more data to ensure the best decisions are made in the best interests of our Northern residents and visitors.”

- Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador

“I am pleased and thankful for the support from the Government of Canada for this project. Having quality accommodations is vital in advancing tourism in our region.”

- Patricia Dicker, President, Atsanik Inn

” The deterioration, length and location of the existing airstrip in Nain, and the fact that it is not equipped to accommodate night landings, has raised major safety concerns for many years. Constraints related to instrument approaches and visual flight rules are also contributing factors to frequent delayed or cancelled flights, resulting in a direct and negative impact on the community. The Nunatsiavut Government is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to explore options to improve and enhance air transportation services to the community.”

- Johannes Lampe, President of Nunatsiavut

• The Government of Canada invested $400,000 in the Atsanik Inn project through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP).

• The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations.
  

• The Government of Canada also invested a previously-announced contribution of $100,000 towards this project through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Women Entrepreneurship Fund.

• The Atsanik Inn offers 25 rooms and caters to the business community, tourists, construction industry, and various travelling government agencies.

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Nunatsiavut Government have recently placed additional focus on tourism in Labrador, and therefore Nain is expecting an increase in national and international tourism, and quality accommodations are key to growing tourism in the Nain area.

• The Government of Canada is also investing $199,395 in the Nunatsiavut Government airport prefeasibility project through ACOA’s BDP. Additional financial support is available to the Nunatsiavut Government through the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee from CIRNAC.

• Established in 2005, the Nunatsiavut Government has responsibilities and rights similar to other governments, such as planning for sustainable economic development, protecting and preserving Labrador Inuit culture and traditions, and implementing social programs on behalf of Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

• The deteriorating infrastructure at the existing airstrip in Nain is affecting on-going activities in the community. Due to various constraints related to instrument approaches, visual flight rules and excessive weather, many flights are delayed or cancelled during the year. This has a direct and negative impact on the local citizens and the movement of cargo, and consequently, on the supply of food, medical evacuations, and the movement of people travelling to and from Nain.

• Previous research by the Nunatsiavut Government has indicated the airport in Nain must be relocated in order to better serve the population.

• The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee consists of Inuit representative organizations and governments, including the Nunatsiavut Government, working in collaboration with Federal partners to advance shared priorities.

• The investments made today build on other ICPC priorities, including the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, which is supported by direct Inuit housing investments of $400 million over 10 years, announced in Budget 2018.

Paul McGrath
Director of Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca

Matthew Dillon-Leitch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca

Patricia Dicker
President
Atsanik Inn
(709) 933-3750 (ext. 2226)
ppottle@nf.aibn.com

Bert Pomeroy
Director of Communications
Nunatsiavut Government
(709) 896-8582
bert.pomeroy@nunatsiavut.com