Resolute Bay, Nunavut, October 29, 2011 – Residents of Resolute Bay will benefit from a new water and wastewater system thanks to significant investments announced today at the official opening of the Resolute Bay Arena. Both infrastructure investments have been jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Nunavut.
The new utility corridor system was identified in Nunavut's 2011-12 to 2013-14 Capital Plan under the federal government's Provincial-Territorial Base Fund with a total construction budget of $30.2 million.
"Our Government is proud to support initiatives that will have lasting effects for northern communities,"
said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister of Health. "This significant investment in infrastructure will ensure residents in Resolute Bay have access to a quality water system for years to come. These investments are another example of our government's commitment to communities across the country."
The Resolute Bay Arena was funded jointly by the federal and territorial governments through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. The arena will provide residents with year-round access to recreational and sporting activities. Furthermore, the arena's construction allows it to be used for indoor soccer, community feasts, concerts and other gatherings.
"Today we celebrate the official opening of the Resolute Bay Arena,"
said Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Service, Lorne Kusugak. "I am also pleased that, thanks to the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding, Resolute Bay will also benefit from an infrastructure upgrade to the community's aging Utilidor system with a full replacement of the system."
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is designed to enhance urban and rural municipal infrastructure across Canada. This $1.2-billion national program focuses on green infrastructure, which includes investments in areas such as water, energy efficiency improvements, public transit, and cultural and recreational infrastructure. The program is administered in Nunavut by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement of the Building Canada Plan, Nunavut will receive funding from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, green energy, as well as safe roads. Funding is being made available to address provincial, territorial and municipal priorities and objectives.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Nunavut, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information contact:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Elissa McKinnon
Communications Officer/Policy Analyst
Department of Community and Government Services, Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
