CanNor Invests in Yukon Fish Habitat Management System

CanNor-10-018

Whitehorse, (Yukon), June 21, 2010 - Yukon's watershed and aquatic health monitoring system will receive an investment by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) today announced that the Yukon Department of Environment will receive an investment of $93,000 over two years to further develop the fish habitat model and monitoring system that assist with the regulation and monitoring of placer mining.

"This investment will support a sustainable placer mining industry while ensuring healthy commercial and recreational lake and river fisheries for residents of Yukon," said Minister Strahl, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the development of aquatic health monitoring tools to ensure the long term sustainability of the Yukon fishing industry," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister responsible for the North and Minister of Health.

"Fish and fishing are valued by many Yukoners," said Yukon Environment Minister John Edzerza. "A better understanding of how water quality can affect fish habitat in the Liard and Mayo watersheds will help both the fish populations and the people who depend on them."

The information collected by the monitoring system is used by federal and territorial decision makers to ensure aquatic health in Yukon watersheds can be maintained and enhanced while placer mining takes place. This also builds on the Yukon Placer Fish Habitat Agreement signed in 2005.

The investment for this project was made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in the three territories.

SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor, which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development activities across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

Backgrounder - Fish Habitat Suitability Model for Placer Mining

Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan   and Canada's Northern Strategy  .

 

For further information, please contact:

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

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Christine Carnaffan
Communications Advisor
613-992-5041

Government of Yukon
Nancy Campbell
Communications
867-456-6794