Canada and Nunavut Reach Agreement under New Federal Infrastructure Funding Program

Press Release

Over $68 million made available for projects across the territory

September 6, 2016 – Edmonton, Alberta – Infrastructure Canada

The governments of Canada and Nunavut are making investments that will help create good jobs while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future. Investing in local infrastructure helps ensure that Canadians have safe water and wastewater systems, and contributes to the high quality of life that they want and expect.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Joe Savikataaq, Minister of Community and Government Services, announced a bilateral agreement that will make more than $68 million in combined funding available to Nunavut communities under a new federal program – the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The federal government is providing up to 75 per cent of funding – more than $51 million – for projects supported through this program and the territorial government and communities will provide the balance of funding.

Also announced today was an initial list of three approved projects under the new funding program. The list includes an important investment to upgrade the City of Iqaluit’s wastewater treatment plant to better service a growing population, protect the environment and meet water treatment regulations. It also includes the construction of a new water treatment facility in Arviat, and an expansion to the water reservoir to provide sufficient capacity for local residents.

For the complete list of identified projects in Nunavut.

Quick Facts

• This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s historic $120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.
• Phase 1 of Investing in Canada provides $11.9 billion in investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next months.
• This marks the twelfth agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners in the last two months. As of today, over $5.2 billion are flowing to provinces and territories, which have signed onto agreements for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
• Under this agreement, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.

Quotes

“Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we want to build for tomorrow. The Government of Canada recognizes that we need a solid partnership with all orders of government to support infrastructure and create good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Nunavut, which will make over $68 million in funding available so that specific infrastructure priorities in Nunavut communities can be addressed.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The Government of Nunavut is pleased to participate in the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. This new agreement will help us target critical safe water and wastewater projects to increase the impact of our capital investments. With its innovative and resourceful approach, this program is supporting healthy communities in our territory and we look forward to working with the Government of Canada to ensure the next phase of federal infrastructure funding will also benefit Nunavummiut.”

The Honourable Joe Savikataaq,
Minister of Community and Government Services
Nunavut Chair, Hudson Bay Roundtable
Minister of Environment
Minister of Energy

Associated Links

• Federal infrastructure investments in Nunavut
• Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s new $120 billion infrastructure plan
• Have your say on infrastructure
• The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund
• The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund

Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca

Kris Mullaly
Policy Analyst/Communication Officer
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
kmullaly@gov.nu.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

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