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 2-02817 CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT INVESTS OVER $2 MILLION IN TOURISM AND COMMUNITY ACCESS PROJECTS IN NUNAVUTIQALUIT, NUNAVUT (December 2, 2006) - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians announced today the Government of Canada's investment of $2.189 million for tourism and community Internet access projects in Nunavut. "Staying connected is a common theme with this investment - both within Nunavut through the community access projects and with the rest of the world through tourism funding," said Minister Prentice. "In particular, the tourism industry is a pillar in Nunavut's economy, and these projects will give local tourism operators the tools needed to compete in the global tourism market." "The Government of Nunavut recognizes the tourism industry as one of the most important sectors for the development of our economy. This is reflected in the annual financial support we provide the industry association, Nunavut Tourism, and the programs and services that keep tourism businesses operating in Nunavut," said Olayuk Akesuk, Minister of Economic Development & Transportation. "I am very pleased to have Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as a partner in this endeavour." "The provision of these funds is a huge boost to the tourism industry within Nunavut," said Paul Lewis, CEO of Nunavut Tourism. "In order for our industry to truly flourish, we need to develop products locally and promote them internationally. This new funding will allow us to do both." Nunavut Tourism will receive $1.11 million over three years (2006-2009) to expand domestic and international tourism in the territory. Projects include a Nunavut tourism advertising campaign, new marketing publications, and targeted participation at trade and consumer shows. The territorial government will also receive $249,405 to complete the second phase of a visitor exit survey gathering valuable baseline data from tourists after they have visited Nunavut. In addition, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will contribute $655,000 to the territorial government over the three years to further develop community Internet access sites. The Nunavut Community Access Program (N-CAP) will use the funds to establish two new CAP sites annually, determine the need for new and upgraded equipment, improve training opportunities, and test various delivery methods of distance education. The CAP sites will also host a pilot project to launch Nunavut's first locally-developed bilingual (Inuktitut, English) distance learning course. "Now that broadband is widespread across Nunavut, this funding couldn't have come at a better time," said Darlene Thompson, Secretary/Treasurer of the Nunavut Community Access Program (N-CAP). "It is our goal to have a CAP site in every community in Nunavut; thus allowing all Nunavummiut the resources to train and apply for jobs, start or expand businesses, and generally stay connected both to other communities and to the world." These projects are all funded under Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development initiative. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada works with the Government of Nunavut and the Nunavut Economic Forum to identify investments in priority areas to help generate important economic opportunities for Northerners, and their businesses and communities. For further information, contact:
Maria O'Hearn
Eva Michael
Brian Webb
Darlene A. Thompson Backgrounder - Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development |
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Revised:
2006-12-04
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