Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and wildfires is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy.

“Northern communities need support to adapt to climate change. This important work will help safeguard the Inuvik Airport to ensure more dependable transportation for residents and travellers for decades to come.”

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come.”

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety

“The Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport is vital infrastructure for the Beaufort-Delta region. Together with the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to invest in Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta to ensure residents have modern and reliable transportation options that connect them to family, friends and economic opportunities inside and outside our territory.”

The Honourable Alfred Moses, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

• The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, permafrost degradation, earthquakes and droughts. 

• DMAF is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.

• Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. 

• On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new strategies: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, which commits to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet, and Canada’s first Rural Economic Development Strategy, which will spur economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for rural Canadians across the country.

• The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.

• Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

• Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
• Investing in Canada plan project map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Northwest Territories

Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-697-3778
ann-clara.vaillancourt@canada.ca

Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9082 ext. 32025
INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca
@GNWT_INF

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Infrastructure Canada
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