Support for Francophone Economic Development

CanNor-10-004

Iqaluit, (Nunavut), April 14, 2010 – The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is supporting the efforts of northern francophone organizations to stimulate and diversify the economy in Nunavut and across the North.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development, made the announcement today.

CanNor will invest more than $500,000 in Carrefour Nunavut and the Table de coopération des francophonies Nordiques (Table 867) to support business incubators and tourism development.

“Investments in francophone economic development lead to new markets in business and tourism, creating jobs and encouraging cultural diversity,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Our government is pleased to support the innovative work of both these organizations.”

“This investment will reinforce economic growth and opportunity for Northern residents by nurturing a strong small business sector and superior skills and training development.” said Minister Strahl, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

"We are honoured by the confidence that CanNor has shown in our initiative. This funding will allow us to move ahead with our projects in tourism development, and will pave the way for the construction of a multi-functional building that will eventually house a business incubator," said Étienne Denis, President of Carrefour Nunavut's Board of Directors. "We are confident that, a year for now, we will be able to offer our services in all three of Nunavut's Official Languages."

“The Association des francophones du Nunavut is delighted with this new collaboration. This project will enable the Francophone organizations in the three territories to set out the governance framework for Table 867, establish clear operating rules and produce a development plan that is beneficial to the Northern economy. The federal government’s support will help us work together for the development of our communities,” said Réjean Côté, Director General, Association des francophones du Nunavut.

CanNor’s investments will support the following:

• A total of $345,000 to Carrefour Nunavut for its Business Incubator project and its Cultural Tourism Development project.
  
  
• A total of $173,000 to l’Association des francophones du Nunavut, which will coordinate a comprehensive consultation and planning strategy on behalf of the pan-territorial Table 867.  

This investment is made possible through Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) and the Economic Development Initiative, part of the “Roadmap of Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.” Both these programs are administered by CanNor across the three territories.

 

Backgrounder - Support for Francophone Economic Development

 

For copies of CanNor news releases, visit:

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp   and for more information Canada’s Northern Strategy, visit www.northernstrategy.ca/index-eng.asp.

For further information, please contact:

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

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Karen Mackenzie
Communications Advisor
Nunavut Regional Office
867-975-4537

Carrefour Nunavut
Étienne Denis
President
Carrefour Nunavut Board of Directors
(867) 222-1115

Association des francophones du Nunavut
Réjean Côté
Director General
(867) 979-4606 ext 21