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, today announced $1.4 million for new and ongoing geoscience projects in Yukon.
"These projects are vital to our understanding of the petroleum and mineral potential in Yukon," said Minister Strahl. "This type of work stimulates investment in resource exploration, creates jobs and provides valuable information to support land use planning throughout the territory."
The funding is being used by the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS), which is part of the Yukon Government's Energy, Mines and Resources department, in partnership with the Geological Survey of Canada, to support several projects that will fill important data gaps and enhance the Yukon geoscience database.
"Yukon government has committed significant resources to the development of an extensive geological database," said Minister Brad Cathers, Yukon Government Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. "This research is a great asset to the Yukon's mineral and oil and gas industries and we appreciate the continuing support from the Government of Canada."
The projects include:
- $1,202,000 for an airborne geophysical survey of Eagle Plains and Kandik Basin;
- $90,200 to initiate geological mapping and mineral occurrence studies of the Frances River map area;
- $35,000 for an aggregate assessment of the Peel Plateau; and
- $117,000 over three years for the re-analysis of stream sediments.
Today's announcement reinforces the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing an integrated Northern Strategy that strengthens our Arctic sovereignty, protects our northern environment, promotes northern social and economic development and improves and devolves northern governance.
Backgrounder - Yukon Geoscience Projects
The YGS database is also available online.
For further information please contact:
INAC Media Relations
Line Gagnon
Senior Communications Advisor
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada – Yukon Region
867-667-3315
Government of Yukon
Sunny Patch
Communications Analyst
Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources
Government of Yukon
867-667-3183
Minister's Office
Josée Bellemare
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002
