CanNor investments support regional economies across NWT

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is stepping up to support regional businesses, Indigenous organizations, and communities in the Northwest Territories.

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament of the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced that an investment of over $1.8 million has been made to support Indigenous employment, capacity building, infrastructure development and innovation in Inuvik and Fort McPherson, as well as beneficiaries in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and the Gwich’in Settlement Region of NWT.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe economic impact on businesses, organizations and economic sectors across the NWT and these investments provide much needed support to communities and Northerners. Direct investments in these diverse projects and Northern infrastructure will help with recovery and also boost economic growth, enhance skills development and create good jobs for Northerners. Through this investment the federal government is helping small NWT businesses maintain full-time and part-time jobs and create many new jobs, and, in doing so, generate economic prosperity.

NWT initiatives supported by CanNor

Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO)                                  $550,000

CanNor is investing $550,000 in this two-year project with a further $223,328 from the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO). The total cost of the project is $773,328. The project supports the development of a COVID-19 economic response strategy to help guide communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region through the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic. ICEDO will develop a 2021-2025 Strategic Plan to guide their economic response, which will include community and sector profiles, and identify opportunities and key partnerships instrumental in helping build prosperity and economic sustainability. Key opportunities being explored include developing a cruise ship strategy for communities with coastal access to the Beaufort Sea, and developing country food processing and reindeer herding initiatives. This project will foster long-term sustainable economic growth, increase local employment opportunities, and lead to an anticipated higher standard of living for beneficiaries. The project is expected to create 15 jobs, maintain five jobs and expand two positions.

Field Studies – Gas Development in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region                                  $550,000

CanNor is investing $550,000 in this one-year project with a further $512,306 from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) to provide energy security for the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The total cost of the project is $1,062,306. Through this project, the IRC will complete steps towards planning for an operational natural gas well and liquefaction facility, including a feasibility study, research design requirements, and the geotechnical and environmental analyses of the natural gas source, the well site, and a four-kilometre access road. The information gathered will assist with decision-making for the broader Inuvialuit Energy Security Project, which aims to generate local employment and future reductions in fossil fuel emissions in the region. This phase of the project is expected to create 10 jobs.

Tetl’it Zheh Development Corporation: Business Expansion                                                $277,363

CanNor is investing $277,363 in this three-year project with a further $73,319 from the Tetl’it Zheh Development Corporation (TZDC). The total cost of the project is $350,682. The project supports TZDC in improving its business capacity to take advantage of economic opportunities through staffing, business planning and improvements to its existing commercial facilities. Facility upgrades include the installation of a security fence, garage renovations to improve efficiency and construction of a lumber storage area. The funding also supports TZDC in capacity building, which includes updating their business plan and hiring and training staff to deliver commercial services. This project will support one full-time job and two part-time jobs with an expectation that these positions will eventually be self-funded from revenue opportunities resulting from the project.

Inuvik Year-Round Farming Project                                                                                      $400,500

CanNor is investing $400,500 in this three-year project with a further $85,000 from the University of Saskatchewan and $89,600 from the Community Garden Society of Inuvik (CGSI). The total cost of the project is $575,100. The project funding supports the purchase and installation of a 40-foot sea can-based hydroponic garden system that will help provide Inuvik with a new source of fresh produce year-round as well as opportunities to further develop a local, innovative food production system. CGSI is partnering with the University of Saskatchewan to gather research on hydroponic gardening in the Western Arctic to help expand its services to the local community and build capacity through local and regional education initiatives throughout the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Gwich’in Settlement Region. As a result of the project, one new part-time job is expected to be created, and three existing jobs are expected to expand.

 

Teetl’ Gwich’in Band – Community Freezer Program                                                      $100,000

CanNor is investing $100,000 in this three-year project with a further $24,660 from the Teetl’ Gwich’in Band Council, $5,000 from the Band Council’s Wellness Department and $3,000 from the Hamlet of Fort McPherson. The total cost of the project is $132,660. The project supports the building and installation of a community freezer in Fort McPherson and the creation of a training program to increase the capacity of residents to harvest, process and store country foods. This project aims to reduce food insecurity in the community by maximizing the use of resources from the land rather than relying on often difficult to get and expensive products from outside the region. The training workshops will teach community residents new butchering techniques, fishing, how to use non-edible animal parts, wild fruit harvesting, cooking, packaging and crop conservation. The project is expected to create a part-time trainee position for a resident and expand one full-time position.

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