News Releases
Northwest Territories Public Transit Funding Announced
YELLOWKNIFE (13 April, 2007) – The creation of the Northwest Territories Public Transit Fund was announced today by the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), along with Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, President of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities (NWTAC.) This announcement coincides with the signing of the Canada-Northwest Territories Public Transit Agreement. Together with trust funds already received from the Government of Canada, the Agreement provides an additional $535,898 in funding for a total of $1.7 million allocated to help Northwest Territories (NWT) communities address public transit priorities.
“In consultation with the NWTAC, an application-based program has been designed to allow all 33 NWT communities the ability to access the funds,” said Minister McLeod. “Communities in the north require supports aiding them to respond to unique transportation challenges, and this program will provide communities with the opportunity to make their own decisions about transit priorities.”
“The NWTAC is pleased that the program design offers opportunities for those communities who already have existing transit systems,” said Mayor Gordon Van Tighem. “This program will also provide communities without existing transit systems the capacity to create a new service for their residents.”
Eligible projects under the Northwest Territories Public Transit Fund will include:
• Capital costs of public transit systems which includes the establishment of transit services
for seniors and physically challenged residents as well as rapid transit and transit busses;• Active Transportation infrastructure, including bike-lanes; and
• Intelligent transportation systems, including transit priority systems and technology that
enhances safety and security of transit operations.
There will be three application intakes, one each in May 2007, August 2007 and March 2008.
For further information, contact:
Eleanor Young
Director, Community Operations
Municipal and Community Affairs
Tel: (867) 873-7571
Yvette Gonzalez
Chief Executive Officer
Northwest Territories Association of Communities
Tel: (867) 873-8359