2-02477

INNOVATIVE NORTHERN PROJECTS RECEIVE IMPORTANT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (December 29, 2004) - The Honourable Ethel Blondin Andrew, Member of Parliament for Western Arctic and Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf ofthe Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, is pleased to announce today that the federal Innovation and Knowledge Fund has invested more than $640,000 over the past two years in 23 projects that promote economic development and innovation in the North.

"These projects are very important for the North," said Ms. Blondin Andrew. "They help build research, skill development, and technological advancement, and assist northerners in seizing economic opportunities and improving their quality of life."

"The Government of Canada remains committed to promoting innovation that supports economic development," said Minister Scott. "Projects such as these help ensure that Northerners capitalize on economic opportunities by being on the cutting edge of innovation."

The Innovation and Knowledge Fund has contributed to the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to northern development by providing $4.4 million over four years to projects in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. These funds are used to attract investments from other partners. Over the past four years, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has invested over $1.4 million in the NWT, attracting additional investments of almost $4 million from other partners.

Over the time the fund has existed, a number of promising projects have received support, and the past two years have been no exception. In 2003/2004, 11 projects were funded. For example, Chinook Aerospace, located in Inuvik, NWT, received funding to help purchase equipment to build a prototype engine that creates electricity and heat from cold temperatures. Computer simulations have shown that the idea has real promise.

Funding was also given to the Government of the Northwest Territories to purchase and install satellite imagery and software for the viewing and analysis of parts of the Mackenzie Delta and Mackenzie Valley. This important project will help predict the environmental impacts of development in the Mackenzie Delta and Mackenzie Valley, and will provide data and scientific results that will be available on the internet.

In 2004/2005, the fund is focusing on projects in the non-renewable resources sector. In total, 12 projects will be funded, including an initiative by the Native Women’s Association designed to prepare First Nations women to participate in the negotiations and implementation processes associated with impact-benefit arrangements related to the non-renewable resource development sectors.

The Aurora Research Institute at Aurora College also received funding to develop a user-friendly dynamic online display of research information, to improve local and regional access to science-based information. This project will enable more effective collaboration in the online licensing process for stakeholders and community organizations.

The Government of Canada continues to show its commitment to geoscience projects. The Gameti First Nation, in partnership with the Northwest Geoscience Office (formerly known as the C. S. Lord Northern Geoscience Centre), received funding to enable the community to map geological information as well as to provide training to a local person in geological fieldwork. Projects of this type help communities to fully engage in the body of geoscience knowledge they need to participate in resource development in the North.

The Innovation and Knowledge Fund depends on partnerships. For example, the fund contributed $10,000 in 2003/2004 year to assist in the travel for participants to the "Forum on Waste Management Issues in the North," in Norman Wells. Other partners for this $92,000 capacity-building event included the Dene Nation, NWT Parks and Recreation Association, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Health Canada and Environment Canada.

In the Speech from the Throne, the federal government made a commitment to develop the first-ever comprehensive strategy for the North that would foster sustainable economic and human development, protect the northern environment and Canada’s sovereignty and security, and promote cooperation within the international circumpolar community. These investments support the sustainable economic development goals of the strategy.

For more information, please contact:

Dawn Curtis
Communications Officer
INAC NWT
(867) 669-2435

Backgrounder - NWT 2003-2004 Innovation and Knowledge Projects

Backgrounder - NWT 2004-2005 Innovation and Knowledge Projects

Back to News Release Index