Canada and Nunavut Fund Construction of Cultural Facility in Clyde River

• Backgrounder

Iqaluit, Nunavut, April 9, 2009 — Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, along with the Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut, today announced that their governments are investing in the construction of the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural Facility in Clyde River.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure investments are key to creating jobs for Northerners,” said Minister Aglukkaq. "This investment will go a long way to support the economy in Canada's North, providing long-term benefits to communities.”

Premier Aariak stated that, “Preservation of Inuit culture and language is of utmost importance and is vital to the long-term success of our territory. Building Piqqusilirivvik will do that and encourage the documentation of our history, the participation of Elders in classrooms, and give merit to our traditional economy.”

“The infrastructure partnership forged between the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada across a variety of sectors continues to assist in reducing the very large infrastructure deficit in this territory,” said the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services.

The funding announced today supports the construction of the cultural facility which was included in Nunavut’s 2008-09 Annual Capital Plans. The facility will be used by Elders to provide youth with the opportunity to maintain their cultural values. It will play a vital role in the preservation of Inuit culture, language, and heritage for future generations. The total eligible cost for this initiative is $32.2 million and will be jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Nunavut.

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 Nunavut is working closely with the federal government to ensure that infrastructure funds are spent on priorities throughout the territory.

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

For more information, please contact:

Josée Bellemare
Press Secretary
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Shawn Maley
Assistant Deputy Minister
Community and Government Services
Government of Nunavut
867-645-8101

Backgrounder
Canada and Nunavut Support Cultural Facility in Clyde River

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

The Piqqusilirivvik Cultural Facility has been identified for funding under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. This initiative will include the construction of a new facility that will be used by Elders to provide youth with the opportunity to maintain their cultural values.

The total eligible cost is $32.2 million and will be funded jointly by the Governments of Canada and Nunavut. This initiative was identified in Nunavut’s 2008-09 Annual Capital Plan.

Under the Building Canada Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $274 million to infrastructure projects throughout the territory.