Kugluktuk, Nunavut, October 11, 2012 – Kugluktuk residents today celebrated the grand opening of their new, two-story hamlet office. This important community project was completed thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Nunavut.
"Improving infrastructure in Nunavut is part of our government's plan to create jobs, promote growth and strengthen our communities,"
said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canada Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council. "Our government was pleased to provide funding for the Kugluktuk Hamlet office. This new facility will help the people of Kugluktuk to grow and have a bright future."
"The Government of Nunavut partners with Infrastructure Canada on projects that build and strengthen our communities across Nunavut,"
said the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services for the Government of Nunavut. "This new hamlet office assists the community of Kugluktuk in providing services to the public more efficiently, and will serve residents and staff of Kugluktuk for many years to come."
The new Kugluktuk hamlet office will have a positive impact on local residents and businesses for years to come. The 748-square-metre, wood-frame building brings all hamlet employees together under one roof to increase productivity, improve service to the public and reduce operating costs. The facility follows energy-efficient building standards which will significantly reduce energy costs.
This initiative was identified as a priority in Nunavut's 2007-2008 Capital Plan. Up to $5.7 million of this $7-million initiative was identified for joint federal-territorial support through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, with the remaining costs being funded by the Government of Nunavut.
Through the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement of the Building Canada plan, Nunavut will receive a total of $182.7 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, clean energy, and safe roads.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. We have heard that we are on the right track: there is a need for strong, sustained investment and we must continue to work together moving forward. To improve infrastructure across Canada and leverage new investment, our new long-term plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships, while respecting the capacity of Canadian taxpayers.
The Government of Nunavut is focused on developing stronger communities across the territory through infrastructure projects and other initiatives that empower local communities to be economically active, productive and self-reliant.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200
>Hillary Casey
Communications Community and Government Services
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5387
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
