Iqaluit, Nunavut (April 18, 2006) -
The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced the Government of Canada investment of $6.36 million in 61 projects that promote economic development in Nunavut under the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development initiative.
"These are exciting new projects that will make a difference in people's daily lives", said Minister Prentice. "Take the broadband network for example. This initiative is a wonderful example of how it's good for the community. These projects are designed to build on tradition, and will enable Northerners to participate in the new challenges of today's global market."
One of the investments was $575,000 to the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) to improve high speed Internet access in Nunavut through its broadband network called QINIQ. Investments made in the NBDC will focus on research and development of services including multi-point videoconferencing, setting up local WiFi "hotspots", research on improving access to banking services via broadband, and continued development of on-the-land camp connection kits.
"Every project is designed to stimulate community economies and provide options for Nunavut residents to communicate more effectively using the QINIQ broadband network," says Lorraine Thomas, Project Manager with NBDC. "Each application we launch has to be thoroughly tested and specifically set up to operate in a satellite-only environment, which adds a high level of complexity."
The Government of Nunavut's Department of Education received more than $232,000 for its Nunavut Community Skills Information System, a community-based skills inventory and reporting tool. The information collected on adult learning and training will be a critical tool for the Government of Nunavut, communities, and businesses as they work to build capacity and deepen the knowledge base in key economic sectors.
"In developing the Nunavut Community Skills Information System, the Department of Education has worked with over 28 employment and training organizations in Nunavut," said Nunavut's Education Minister Ed Picco. "Our intent was to create a tool in Nunavut's four languages which would serve the needs of many groups, and which could be linked to career planning and development in our schools. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the federal government and other partners in this initiative."
This news release and backgrounder are also available on the INAC Nunavut website at
www.inac-ainc.gc.ca/nunavut.
For more information contact:
Maria O'Hearn
Communications Manager
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Nunavut Regional Office
867-979-7954
ohearnm@inac.gc.ca
Cate Whitworth
Communications Manager
Government of Nunavut
Department of Education
867-975-5624
cwhitworth@gov.nu.ca
Lorraine Thomas
Project Manager
Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation
867-979-0576
lorraine@qiniq.com
Backgrounder - Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development Nunavut 2005 - 2006
