Yellowknife, NWT (April 25, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced today the awarding of a contract for remediation work at the former Johnson Point staging site.
"I am pleased to announce the awarding of this contract to E. Gruben's Transport Limited of Tuktoyaktuk, NWT," said Minister Strahl. "The work to be completed represents Canada's continued $3.5 billion commitment to remediate contaminated sites. This contract provides the local community with the opportunity to be actively involved in the project, while also gaining valuable work skills."
The two-year, $10.5 million contract will be completed in 2010 and includes remediation work, demolition of the fuel tank farm, collecting and disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and camp provisions and support.
Following a Request for Proposals issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the contract was awarded to E. Gruben's, which submitted the best technical proposal at the lowest overall cost. The company's proposal also included an Aboriginal benefits plan to maximize employment and sub-contracting opportunities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
"The remediation of northern contaminated sites is a priority for PWGSC," Minister Fortier said. "That is why we work closely with other federal departments to ensure that our business is conducted in an efficient manner, is an effective use of public funds, and is ecologically and environmentally friendly."
E. Gruben's Transport Limited is an Inuvialuit-owned firm that will employ approximately 35 staff under the contract. The company has guaranteed 81 percent Aboriginal employment and 95 percent Aboriginal sub-contracting to Inuvialuit beneficiaries and businesses.
The Johnson Point site is an abandoned oil and gas exploration support and staging area located approximately 270 km northeast of Sachs Harbour on Banks Island, along the Prince of Wales Strait, in the Northwest Territories.
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Josée Bellemare
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
Dawn Curtis
Communications
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada,
NT Region
867-669-2435
Media Relations
Public Works and Government
Services Canada
819-956-2315
