CanNor-13-009
Whitehorse, Yukon (March 1, 2013) – Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council today announced funding that will help promote jobs and opportunities for Yukoners in the mining sector and attract new investment to the territory.
"The Government of Canada recognizes that attracting investments in this important sector will help contribute to sustainable jobs and growth in the North," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Mining and mineral exploration sectors are key employers and contributors to economic development in the Territories. Building capacity in this sector will ensure Northerners have better access to quality training and jobs in their own communities."
"Attracting new investments in the Yukon's mining sector and identifying companies that are committed to corporate and social accountability, will help contribute to a strong and sustainable Yukon economy," said Yukon MP Ryan Leef.
CanNor's total investment of $390,951 supports three projects that will help Yukoners benefit from increased resource development activity. The three projects include marketing activities to promote increased investment into Yukon's mining sector, the development and delivery of community mine training awareness workshops and support for the development of a Socio-Economic Partnership Agreement between the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation and Kaminak Gold Corporation.
"Yukon Gold Mining Alliance is pleased to receive this funding for a second year - a sustained effort in marketing Yukon's mining advantages internationally is critical, especially against the current backdrop of market fluctuation in all sectors," said John McConnell, Chair of the Yukon Gold Mining Alliance. "Our recent four-country European marketing tour was a great success in this regard."
"These new workshops will help to create awareness of the challenges and opportunities related to the development or expansion of Yukon's mining industry," said Sascha Weber, Executive Director of the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA). "By providing a clear and unbiased picture, participants will have a better understanding of how mining activities may affect their community and the related opportunities for training and employment." In fact, workshop delivery will be a channel for individuals to access YMTA's upcoming Life and Career Coaching Program.
"This funding will assist in formalizing our partnership with Kaminak Gold Corporation and bring benefits to our community," said Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Eddie Taylor. "We are pleased to have CanNor's support as we work on ensuring meaningful participation of our citizens."
"Our Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," concluded Minister Aglukkaq.
Investment in this project is 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 across the North.
SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor was created to directly enable northern workers and businesses to take advantage of the economic resources and opportunities that exist where they live. CanNor delivers on its exclusive northern mandate through funding programs, providing project management services, leveraging the federal role in the North, serving as a champion for northern interests, and undertaking policy and research.
For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: Canada's Northern Strategy.
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Cailin Rodgers
613-957-0200
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Christina Gray
Communications Advisor
867-766-8435
Yukon Gold Mining Alliance
Anne Lewis
Marketing and Events Manager
867-633-2007
Yukon Mine Training Association
Sascha Weber
Executive Director
867-633-6463
Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation
Wayne Potoroka
Director of Communications & Policy
867-993-7108
