The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) has approved $200,000 over three years to help plan for the creation of a Harbour Commission in Yellowknife that will promote responsible waterfront development in the Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay areas. The City of Yellowknife will contribute an additional $233,000 towards the initiative.
Over three years, a planning committee of stakeholders will conduct public engagement activities, identify environmentally sensitive areas, undertake research on jurisdictional and regulatory responsibilities, and consult with regulatory agencies. A public information session will be held at the end of this process to share the committee’s findings as well as a strategy for establishing the Harbour Commission.
The planning committee will include Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, the Department of Transportation, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the City of Yellowknife (Planning & Development, Economic Development, Community Services, and Public Works) and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Once the planning committee work is complete, the newly established Harbour Commission will be responsible for creating a plan to enhance commercial, residential and tourism-based development opportunities, while protecting environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. The Commission will also be tasked with identifying a regulatory process that is simple, effective and enforceable.
The target area, from the Yellowknife River along the shore to Negus South, is currently home to commercial and private floatplanes, residential houseboats, and a wide variety of multi-seasonal water and ice-based transportation and recreational activities. Much of the waterfront property in the area is undeveloped or underdeveloped. At present, the City of Yellowknife does not have a cohesive plan for water-based activity and water lot use or development in the area.
Federal funding for this initiative is provided through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program. Canada’s Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009) renewed funding for the SINED program at $90 million over five years. Funding available under SINED is divided evenly between the three territories. SINED is one of a suite of programs administered by CanNor, the newly established agency responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the territories, and for policy, research and advocacy.
