Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, March 19, 2012 – Residents of Cambridge Bay will benefit from improved water and transportation infrastructure thanks to significant investments announced today by the governments of Canada and Nunavut.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, was joined by the Honourable Keith Peterson, Nunavut Minister of Health and Social Services, on behalf of the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services and the Honourable Peter Taptuna, Nunavut Minister of Economic Development and Transportation to announce $28.23 million toward improvements to the Cambridge Bay Airport and the replacement of the community's water treatment plant.
"Our Government will continue to invest in projects that support growth and prosperity in Canada's North,"
said Minister Aglukkaq. "Upgrades to Cambridge Bay's airport and water system will create jobs and are fundamental to ensuring sustained growth and economic prosperity in the region – key elements in our government's Northern Strategy."
"The people of Cambridge Bay will benefit greatly from a new, sustainable water-treatment facility,"
said Minister Peterson, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cambridge Bay. "Upgrades to the airport runway will improve safety and facilitate economic development."
Investments in these projects will have a significant, positive impact on the North. Modifications to the airside surfaces at the Cambridge Bay Airport will improve service, make travel safer, and increase the shipping capacity for the entire region. As well, the new water treatment plant will ensure the residents of Cambridge Bay have reliable access to clean drinking water.
These projects are just two of the infrastructure initiatives identified in Nunavut's 2011-12 to 2013-14 Capital Plan under the federal government's Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Previously-announced initiatives include over $57.2 million in joint funding for airport improvements in Rankin Inlet and a new utility corridor in Resolute Bay.
Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement of the Building Canada plan, Nunavut will receive a total of $182.68 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, green energy, as well as safe roads.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Nunavut, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Elissa McKinnon
Department of Community and Government Services, Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
