CAMBRIDGE BAY, NUNAVUT (March 17, 2005) - Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, and Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced an investment of $180,000 to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to carry out two geoscience projects in Nunavut. The first project will result in the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. mineral assessment database becoming available electronically in a common format with the Crown mineral assessment database. This will allow industry, Inuit organizations, government and the public to quickly research Nunavut Tunngavik Inc's mineral assessment database. The second project is the creation of seamless digital landsat imagery across Nunavut. The benefits include decreased time and research costs for users of geospatial information systems (GIS). Both projects will encourage private sector investment, and are part of the needed basic spatial infrastructure for Nunavut. "Good geoscience is key in attracting investment to Nunavut,"says Nancy Karetak-Lindell. "This is a step forward. By working with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Government of Canada is showing its commitment to improve access to geoscience on all land in Nunavut, whether Crown or Inuit owned." Ethel Blondin-Andrew agrees. "The fact that these projects are supported by the Government of Canada speaks volumes about its willingness to encourage economic growth and to advance mineral exploration and mapping in the North." "These projects will provide valuable resources for the economic growth of Nunavut, and the management of the effects of that growth on the environment. For Inuit, this will give us a tool for attracting investment and gaining greater knowledge of the lands we gained when we signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This will allow us to manage our lands with more accurate information," said James Eetoolook, 1st Vice-President for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. The 2004 Federal Budget announced $90 million over five years for northern economic development. In order to maintain momentum on current and emerging economic development opportunities, funds were made available in each territory during 2004-2005 while the Government of Canada continued work with key economic players to identify priorities and develop territory-specific investment plans for the longer term. The projects being announced today form part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's new fund for northern economic development. Work continues to build the longer term framework that will guide investments until 2009. This announcement also honours a commitment in the Speech from the Throne to develop the first-ever comprehensive strategy for the North that would foster sustainable economic and human development, protect the northern environment and Canada's sovereignty and security, and promote cooperation within the international circumpolar community. These investments support the sustainable economic development goals of the strategy. For more information on the development of the Northern Strategy, please go to www.northernstrategy.ca. - 30 - For more information, contact: Maria O'Hearn Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Nunavut Tel: 867 979-7954 E-mail: ohearnm@inac.gc.ca Kerry McCluskey Director of Communications Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Tel: 867 975-4914
