Collaboration Paves the Way for Northern Innovation
News Release
CanNor supports entrepreneurship and economic development in Yukon with the YuKonstruct Makerspace
June 3, 2016 – Whitehorse, YT – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced an investment of $117,000 to support innovation and entrepreneurship through the YuKonstruct Makerspace. YuKonstruct, a non-profit organization based in Whitehorse, Yukon is using the funding to develop the Makerspace – a collaborative, multi-user workspace that gives Northerners access to the tools and equipment to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.
The first of its kind North of 60, the YuKonstruct Makerspace provides access to manufacturing equipment and offers educational workshops to train potential innovators to use the various tools available in the workspace. The Makerspace will help grow local, small-scale, manufacturing businesses while enabling entrepreneurs to produce inexpensive prototypes and develop new tools and products.
Quotes
"The YuKonstruct Makerspace is a vibrant and exciting example of how collaboration can accelerate economic diversification, connect community, and support local businesses. By making a down payment on innovation, we are encouraging long-term sustainable growth in the North."
Navdeep Bains,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development,
and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
"I have had the privilege to visit the YuKonstruct Makerspace many times and I am proud to support this truly collaborative initiative. Congratulations to all of the volunteers who have worked so hard to make this collaborative workspace available to Yukoners."
Larry Bagnell,
Member of Parliament for Yukon
"YuKonstruct fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. We are pleased CanNor has joined Government of Yukon in support of YuKonstruct. This support will encourage sustainable growth and diversification of Yukon's economy."
Stacey Hassard,
Minister of Economic Development
"On behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers and members, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to CanNor for its ongoing faith and support in YuKonstruct and what we are trying to achieve. The YuKonstruct family and supporting organizations and individuals are collectively proud of what we have built and continue to build. None of this would have been possible without CanNor and we look forward to our ongoing partnership in the years to come."
John Glynn-Morris,
President, YuKonstruct
Quick facts
- Complementing the YuKonstruct Makerspace Society's contribution of $66,585, the Government of Yukon also invested $161,840 to the project in addition to their funding from previous years.
Associated Links
Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable Navdeep Bains
343-291-2500
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Krisandra Reid
Communications Advisor, Yukon Region Region
867-667-3210
For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca
YuKonstruct
John Glynn-Morris, Board President
867-689-5269
Government of Yukon
Shona Mostyn
Manager, Marketing and Communications
867-456-3913
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