CanNor-10-055
Whitehorse, Yukon (November 22, 2010) – Canada's three territories will increase their geoscience knowledge which will encourage growth in the mining sectors and create employment opportunities across the North.
Senator Daniel Lang, on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor ), announced today the Government of Canada will invest $10,714,000 in a broad spectrum of geoscience programs in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This investment will stimulate mineral exploration and development. It will also provide the territories with better data for their land-use planning, road construction, archaeological work and cultural industries.
"Our Government is proud to invest in these programs, which will enable Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to further expand their already considerable expertise in geoscience," said Senator Lang. "These programs provide important tools for economic development and managing natural resources."
"These projects are further proof of the priority this Government has put on the North. They will bring a range of economic benefits and opportunities to Northerners," said Minister Duncan, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "The information gathered will reduce economic risk for mining companies, help attract exploration investment, and contribute to growth in the mining sector, which is the largest private sector industry for the territories."
"The Yukon Geological Survey provides baseline information to support exploration investment, land use decision making and infrastructure development," said Patrick Rouble, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. "The Government of Yukon is very pleased to work in partnership with CanNor to support the continued growth of Yukon's mineral sector."
"We are pleased the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut are continuing to provide funding to outline the geology of Nunavut," said Peter Taptuna, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation with the Government of Nunavut. "This information is essential to companies looking for resources in a territory that is 20 per cent of Canada's landmass. It is our hope that companies will use this information to hire Nunavut residents to find carving stone and other resources that could sustain a mine."
"The Northwest Territories has a great wealth of natural resource potential," said Bob McLeod, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment with the Government of the Northwest Territories. "Comprehensive and accurate identification of where mineral and energy resources are located is essential to unlocking this potential. The partnership in which our governments invest in NWT geosciences projects is key to advancing the development of our resources."
These investments are made possible through CanNor 's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.
Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan and Canada's Northern Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
Michele Jamali-Paquette
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor, Yukon Region
867-667-3849
Craig Welsh
Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region
867-975-3735
Petra White
Communications Advisor, NT Region
867-766-8435
Government of Yukon- Energy, Mines and Resources
Mark Roberts
Director of Communications
867-667-5307
Government of Nunavut – Economic Development and Transportation
Matthew Illaszewicz
Manager, Communications
867-975-7818
Government of the Northwest Territories
John Ketchum
Senior Geologist and GNWT Manager
NWT Geoscience Office
867-669-2498
Scott Cairns
Chief Geologist and INAC Manager
NWT Geoscience Office
867-669-2479
