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Home : Sustainable Communities : Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement
Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement
What is the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement?
Announced in October 2002, the five-year, $20 million agreement will help northern Canadians improve regional economic infrastructure, employment prospects (through training and practical skill experience), educational and business expertise. It will also increase research and industry innovation, and improve the region's ability to attract business investment.
The agreement will provide funding for projects that address five strategic priorities:
- Economic Infrastructure: projects that support major new economic initiatives with significant benefit to Northerners;
- Innovation: projects that could lead to new discoveries, new products or new services in Northern Saskatchewan;
- Realizing Employment Opportunities: initiatives that will help Northerners to take advantage of employment opportunities, with emphasis on the needs of Northern youth;
- Capacity Building: support for organizations that enhance the capacity of Northerners to be self-sufficient; and,
- Investment Attraction: efforts taken to identify, research and promote specific investment opportunities in northern Saskatchewan, particularly value-added industries.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit organizations;
- Post-secondary education institutions and school divisions;
- Regional health authorities engaged in research; and
- Municipal governments and organizations under the control of a municipality.
Commercial businesses or commercial activities are only eligible for funding if the northern community benefits substantially and the activity is consistent with the objectives and strategic priorities of the agreement. Other groups, such as boards, committees and First Nations organizations are encouraged to apply through a legal entity.
What's the WD connection?
Promotion and support for sustainable communities in the West is one of WD's three ongoing strategic priorities, in addition to innovation and entrepreneurship. The development and diversification of northern economies is an important part of our commitment to help ensure sustainable communities in Western Canada.
The Northern Development Agreement includes funding of $20 million over a five-year period, cost shared equally by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. WD will help administer and manage the NDA as a member of the Northern Development Agreement tripartite management committee.
The other members of the management committee are Saskatchewan Northern Affairs and the Northern Development Board Corp. (NDBC), made up of representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North), as well as the Athabasca Economic Development and Training Corp.
What's been accomplished?
As of October 2005 just over $7 million has been announced to support 19 projects under the Northern Development Agreement . In addition to a broad range of training to employment programs, other initiatives supported through the Agreement have included improvements to the Athabasca seasonal road, research into value-added woodland products and expansion of high-speed Internet service to more than 30 northern communities.
Links to Other Related information
- News Release: More than $560,000 in federal and provincial funds for two northern training projects - January 2005
- News Release: More Than $2.7 Million For Northern Development Projects - February 18, 2004
- News Release: Northern Development Agreement Criteria Unveiled – May 13, 2004
- News Release: Accord and Agreement Signed for Northern Saskatchewan – October 17, 2002
- News Release: Funding Announced for High-Speed Internet Access in Northern Saskatchewan - November 3, 2004
Key Contact
Dean Desjarlais
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Development Board
Box 660
La Ronge, Saskatchewan
S0J 1L0
Telephone: (306) 425-2444
Fax : (306) 425-2288
E-mail: ceo.ndbc@sasktel.net
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