Canada and NWT Partner to Support Biomass Industry Development
CanNor-12-009
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (July 26, 2012) – Today the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, Northwest Territories Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, announced a multi-year investment of over $5.7 million to create opportunities for a sustainable wood biomass industry in the Northwest Territories (NWT).
The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in Canada's North,
said Minister Aglukkaq. This project will create a new and sustainable industry in the NWT and will generate jobs and business opportunities for First Nations communities. We are pleased to be working with our territorial partners as we invest in community economic development that promotes job creation and economic growth in the North.
This funding will support our efforts to complete forest inventories and sustainability analyses for broad forest areas so First Nations and communities can benefit from the strategic development of biomass energy and forest resource development opportunities in the NWT,
said Minister Miltenberger.
This community-led initiative is receiving Government of Canada support of $3,746,000 from CanNor, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and $2 million from the Government of the Northwest Territories. The funding will be used to create a sustainable industry, generate long-term jobs, and reduce energy costs in communities. This will enable NWT communities to have increased control over local forestry resources and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel as outlined in the Northwest Territories Biomass Strategy.
Funding for this project is made through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, AANDC's Canada's Strategic Partnership Initiative and NRCan's Aboriginal Forestry Initiative. The initiative is a demonstration of the Government of Canada's new Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. Territorial funding is provided as part of the implementation of the NWT Biomass Energy Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Cailin Rodgers
Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Leslie Cole
Communications Advisor, NWT
613-995-9467
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)
Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan 819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Patricia Best
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
613-992-4447
Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
Judy Mclinton
Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Natural Resources (ENR)
867-873-7379
Email: judy_mclinton@gov.nt.ca
