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GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES $150 MILLION FOR CANADIAN PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR

EDMONTON (ALBERTA) September 21, 2005 - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), today announced Canada's participation in International Polar Year 2007 - 2008, the largest ever international research program in the polar regions. The Government of Canada will provide $150 million in new funding over six years to carry out an innovative, interdisciplinary program for International Polar Year (IPY) along with our international partners.

"We are an Arctic nation. Nearly one-quarter of the Arctic region falls within Canada's borders," said Minister McLellan. "This International Polar Year will mark the first time in fifty years that so many nations will focus their collective efforts on major questions of science in the Earth's polar regions. This is our generation's opportunity to move the markers ahead on northern science and research, and, as has been done in past International Polar Years, achieve those breakthroughs in knowledge that change forever the way we understand and consider our northern and Arctic regions."

As a key deliverable for International Polar Year, the Government of Canada is supporting a targeted science and research program focussed on two of Canada's most important challenges for its northern regions - climate change impacts and adaptation, and the health and well-being of northern communities. Funds will be allocated to academic, government and community researchers through a competitive, peer review process. With this funding, Canada will be able to provide leadership internationally on projects in which Canadian scientists have renowned expertise.

International Polar Year will take place over a 24-month period and will include research activities in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In Canada, International Polar Year will bring opportunities to welcome many top international scientists and other visitors. Work under way in Canada will be linked with projects in other polar regions through international partnerships, drawing upon the expertise and resources from more than 30 other participating countries. IPY research will also support the implementation of Project Green, the broad environmental vision that links Canada's economic competitiveness and prosperity to a sustainable future.

"One of our government's aims with International Polar Year is to leave a positive, lasting legacy for Northerners and Aboriginal communities. Part of our investment will go towards engaging Northern communities in research activities, education and hands-on training opportunities. Our hope is that the International Polar Year initiative will be the genesis of a new generation of polar scientists and experts from the North," said Minister McLellan.

Partnerships are key to the success of International Polar Year. Within Canada, this endeavour will draw together the federal departments of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Environment, Industry, Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans and Health along with other federal agencies and bodies, universities, Aboriginal organizations, Northern communities, territorial and provincial governments, Northern research institutes and colleges and others.

For further information, please contact:

Margot Geduld
Media Relations Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 953-1160

Backgrounder - International Polar Year 2007 - 2008

Biography - Peter Harrison

Biography - David Hik

Biography - Duane Smith

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