News Releases
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Northwest Territories Communities to Benefit from More than $64 Million Through Canada's New Deal for Cities and Communities
YELLOWKNIFE (November 10, 2005) - The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) John Godfrey, and the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, today announced joint funding of over $27 million for 12 community infrastructure projects under the Canada-Northwest Territories Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF), and celebrated the signing of an agreement to provide $37.5 million for communities across NWT, through federal gas tax funding.
The signing of the gas tax sharing agreement was officially witnessed by Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, the president of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. NWT communities will receive the gas tax funding over five years, for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure.
"Through the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the Government of Canada is committed to support the long-term sustainability of NWT communities," said Minister Blondin-Andrew. "Today's announcement delivers on our promise to provide predictable funding to communities across the Northwest Territories, and will allow communities to plan for their future infrastructure needs. These investments are also consistent with the Government of Canada's Northern Strategy."
Minister Blondin-Andrew and Minister McLeod also unveiled a map showing the location the first 12 multi-year projects to be funded through MRIF. The projects are located in communities across the NWT, including Aklavik, Deline, Holman, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Behchokö, Tuktoyaktuk and Yellowknife.
"The agreements and projects announced today are first steps towards addressing the growing infrastructure deficit faced by communities. The MRIF projects were selected in response to the current major infrastructure needs and priorities in communities and regions across the Northwest Territories," Michael McLeod stated. "Furthermore, the gas tax agreement we signed today will help Northwest Territories communities to plan and invest for the future."
Canada's New Deal is about building new relationships, including with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, which has been very supportive through the recent negotiations. Mayor Van Tighem commended the initiative, noting that, "The MRIF projects and the gas tax agreement announced today will significantly improve the quality of life for our communities. The funds ensure quality services for our residents, and finance projects we couldn't do without partnering with the federal and territorial governments."
Investments through the gas tax agreement will result in significant environmental benefits for communities, such as cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and will encourage long-range integrated community sustainability planning.
The Canada-NWT MRIF program, which was launched in January 2005, will provide joint federal-territorial community infrastructure funding of $32 million over five years. With matching investments by tax-based communities, there is expected to be at least $39 million in total infrastructure investments made through this program.
Canada's New Deal promotes the economic, social, environmental and cultural sustainability of our cities and communities. It is focused on establishing a long-range vision for Canada's communities, building new relationships among all orders of government and other partners, strengthening the connections among federal programs that benefit cities and communities, as well as helping communities secure predictable and stable long-term funding.
"The Government of Canada is committed to improving Northern communities," Minister Godfrey said. "By investing in clean drinking water and in sewage treatment, and by building sustainable communities, we are making important contributions to our quality of life. I am pleased that we can work together with the Northwest Territories and its communities to advance the New Deal for Cities and Communities."
For further information contact:
Mark Rus
Office of the Minister of State
(Infrastructure and Communities)
(613) 850-5795
Debbie DeLancey
Municipal and Community Affairs
(867) 873-7118
Infrastructure Canada
(613) 948-1148
Pierre L. Collin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State(Northern Development)
(819) 994-7626