Iqaluit, Nunavut, May 10, 2013 – Residents of Pangnirtung, Taloyoak and Whale Cove will soon have access to better arena facilities and a longer indoor skating season, thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Nunavut.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support communities like Pangnirtung, Taloyoak and Whale Cove in providing facilities that enrich the health and well-being of the region's youth, families and residents,"
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. "We are proud to invest in infrastructure initiatives such as these, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."
"Recreational infrastructure is important in building stronger, healthier communities across Nunavut,"
said the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services for the Government of Nunavut. "The Government of Nunavut is proud to support these arena upgrades, which will allow Nunavummiut to participate in sports and recreational activities at these facilities year-round."
The arena upgrades include the installation of concrete slabs that will enable the arenas to be used as multi-purpose facilities for winter sports, such as hockey and skating, and summer sports such as skateboarding and soccer. As well, the installation of cooling systems will improve the quality of ice and allow the three communities to offer earlier and longer ice skating seasons.
These three initiatives, with a total eligible cost of $5.2 million, were identified as part of a reallocation of funds in the 2008-2009 Annual Capital Plan under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement.
Through the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement of the 2007 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.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with over 910,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
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 Infrastructure Canada.
For additional information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
613-991-0700
Hillary Casey
Communications Officer
Community and Government Services
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
