Whitehorse, Yukon (September 5, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable Archie Lang, Yukon Min nister of Community Services, today announced funding for improvements to Haines Junction's water supply system.
"The Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to improve community infrastructure in the North," said Minister Strah l. "This project supports the Government's priority of ensuring that clean, reliable sources of drinking water are available in rural communities in the Yukon, and throughout Canada."
The Village of Haines Junction will receive $245,26 7 under the Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). This water system project will improve the pumping capacity of local wells and will include a water testing station.
"The Yukon government remains committed to creating a b etter quality of life for Yukoners through healthy and strong communities," said Minister Lang. "The Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund provides the opportunity for Yukon to partner with Canada and local governments to provide fu nding to enhance Yukon community infrastructure and services."
Canada and Yukon will provide two-thirds of the total project funding and the Village of Haines Junction will provide the additional $123,000 in eligible costs.
The Gove rnment of Canada supports a vision of a new North that realizes its full potential and secures its future, for the benefit of all Canadians. Our integrated Northern Strategy supports this vision by focusing on four integrated priorities: economic and soci al development, governance, environmental protection, and sovereignty.
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For further information please contact:
Line Gagnon
Senior Communications Advisor
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Yukon Region
(867) 667-3315
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
Roxanne Vallevand
Communications Advisor
Government of Yukon
(867) 633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca
Nathalie Harwood
Communications Analyst
Community Services
Government of Yukon
(867) 667-5075
nathalie.harwood@gov.yk.ca
