Canada and Northwest Territories Fund Water Treatment and Road Improvements

• Backgrounder

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, April 7, 2009 — Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, along with the Honourable Michael McLeod, Northwest Territories’ Minister Responsible for Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, today announced that their governments are investing in fourteen infrastructure initiatives in the territory. Improved water treatment and safer roads are two key results from this investment.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure investments are key to creating jobs and stimulating the economy, and this is why we are working with our partners to accelerate funding toward priority initiatives,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “These investments will go a long way to support local economic stimulus and provide long-term benefits for local communities.”

“The Government of the Northwest Territories appreciates ongoing federal assistance to improve the safety of our highways and winter roads,” Minister Michael McLeod said. “This funding allows the NWT to address some immediate priorities while helping us stimulate our economy during the current downturn in the resource sector.”

“The Building Canada Plan enables the Government of the Northwest Territories to further support community governments in addressing their local infrastructure priorities,” added the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. “This funding helps community governments develop sustainable, vibrant, safe communities.”

The Government of Canada has committed more than $58 million towards the fourteen initiatives that have been approved under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding. The funding announced today supports the Northwest Territories’ 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Annual Capital Plans. Among the initiatives receiving funding are the extension of the Deh Cho Boulevard, the Tuktoyaktuk gravel access road, the completion of the new Kakisa Bridge, and multiple water treatment initiatives across the Northwest Territories.

The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is working closely with the federal government and the NWT Association of Communities to ensure that infrastructure funds are being spent on priority initiatives throughout the territory.

For further information, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

For further information contact:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
867-873-7712

Backgrounder
CANADA AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FUND WATER TREATMENT AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Canada and the Northwest Territories are working together to support key infrastructure under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s infrastructure plan.

Today’s announcement identifies fourteen infrastructure initiatives in the Northwest Territories that will receive funding under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. These initiatives are:

• Kakisa River Bridge – Construction of new bridge;
• Yellowknife Airport Combined Services Building – Replacement of 40 year old maintenance garage;
• Tuktoyaktuk Gravel Access Road to Source 177 – New access road to municipal gravel source, representing Phase 1 of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk all-weather road;
• Two initiatives involving research and development for climate change and engineering studies;
• Fort Good Hope Water Treatment Plant – Upgrade to meet Canadian drinking water guidelines;
• Tsiigehtchic Water Treatment Plant – Upgrade to address deficiencies identified in the water system review and to ensure fully functional operation;
• Tulita Water Intake initiative – Removal and reinstallation of intakes at a lower elevation to address current intakes which are at risk;
• Nahanni Butte Water Treatment Plant – Upgrades to meet Canadian drinking water guidelines;
• Deh Cho Boulevard– New access to accommodate heavy truck traffic in Yellowknife;
• Rehabilitation of Yellowknife Highway 3 (km 245 to 338);
• Mackenzie Highway 1 (km 0 to 85) – Widening and geometric improvements;
• Upgrades at four other water treatment plants to meet Canadian drinking water guidelines; and
• Administration support for community governments.

The total eligible cost is $97.8 million. The Government of Canada will provide $58.8 million and the Northwest Territories will provide $31.6 million. The balance of funding will be provided by municipal partners. Additional priorities will be funded through the remainder of the Northwest Territories’ allocation under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.

Under the Building Canada Plan, the Government of Canada has committed more than $277 million to infrastructure projects throughout the Northwest Territories. As part of this plan, the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement provides the territory with $185.8 million to support core infrastructure priorities.