Government of Canada Supports Geoscience Projects in Yukon

CanNor-09-014

Whitehorse, Yukon (November 24, 2009) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the Honourable Archie Lang, Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, today announced funding for geoscience research in Yukon in seven targeted investment areas. This initiative was made possible through Canada's Economic Action Plan and will encourage future investments in resource exploration and infrastructure development in the territory.

“Building our knowledge and capacity in geoscience information will support long-term economic growth in Yukon,” said Minister Strahl, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor of Métis and Non-Status Indians. “These projects are an investment in the Territory's future and will help develop skills sets and create jobs for northerners.”

“Sustainable resource development and investment in infrastructure are important building blocks of the northern economy. Funding for geoscience information lays the groundwork for companies to make future investments in Yukon,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health.

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $250,000 from the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program to projects in Yukon. This investment will support geoscience projects in seven targeted investment areas for completion during the 2009-10 fiscal year. Yukon Geological Survey will complete and manage the project work for these geoscience projects. Details about each of these projects are provided in the Backgrounder.

“This funding enables important updates to Yukon's geological knowledge base,” said Energy, Mines and Resources Minister the Honourable Archie Lang. “Yukon's geoscience databases support industry investment and development, land use decision-making and contributes to the maintenance of our infrastructure.”

Canada's Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009) renewed funding for the SINED program at $90 million over five years. Funding available under SINED is divided evenly between the three territories. The goal of this initiative is to promote the economic development of the North by strengthening territories' economies and generating important economic opportunities for Northerners.

SINED is administered by CanNor, the newly established agency responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the territories, and for policy, research and advocacy. This announcement reinforces the Government of Canada's work to advance an integrated Northern Strategy to exercise Canada's Arctic sovereignty, protect the North's environmental heritage, promote social and economic development and improve and devolve northern governance.

Backgrounder - Seven Geoscience Research Projects for Yukon

For further information please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Kathleen McLeod
Senior Communications Advisor
(613) 995-7766

Government of Yukon, Cabinet Communications
Emily Younker
(867) 633-7961

Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon Government
Mark Roberts
Director of Communications
Phone: (867) 667-5307