HAY RIVER, NT, Jan. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Strategic investments in infrastructure projects in the North deliver sustained economic growth, build stronger, more inclusive communities, and support the unique needs of northerners.
Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Wally Schumann, Northwest Territories Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment were in Hay River to announce over $8.8 million in joint funding for the Hay River Fish Plant.
This investment will support the construction a new 1600 square-metre fish plant in Hay River, capable of processing approximately 1.4 million kilograms of locally caught fish into a variety of high-quality products for both sale and export. This project includes the construction of the building, cold storage, loading docks, parking and driveways.
The Government of Canada previously invested $1.45 million through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency's (CanNor) Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program for processing equipment, design and site planning for the facility.
The Hay River Fish Plant will positively impact food security within the Northwest Territories by making a local source of clean, healthy and sustainable protein more readily accessible in communities largely dependent on imported food. This project will also stimulate regional economic development and diversity by providing employment opportunities for current and future workers in the Great Slake Lake Fishing sector.
Today's event also celebrates the construction start of the Hay River to Pine Point Bridge project. The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories announced funding for this project as part of the Northwest Territories Highway Improvement Initiative in 2016. The updated bridge will have a higher load capacity for industrial vehicles, making it easier to transport goods and deliver services in the community. The construction is expected to be completed by fall 2019 and will create between 15 and 20 new, good-quality jobs.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada's investment in the Hay River Fish Plant will not only support economic growth in the North, it will ensure residents have a healthy, local and reliable source of fish. In addition, the Hay River to Pine Point Bridge rehabilitation project will support transportation of goods and delivery of services in the area, leading to a better quality of life for the community."
Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Through this investment, local fishers will benefit from having greater control over the processing and marketing of their product. The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative projects that foster economic development and support the wellbeing of communities in the North."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
"Investments in infrastructure are critical to growing and diversifying our economy. This includes investments in buildings like the Hay River Fish Plant but also in transportation infrastructure like the Pine Point Bridge that connect our territories to markets and our people to opportunities."
The Honourable Wally Schumann, Northwest Territories Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada is investing up to $6,654,000 towards the Hay River Fish Plant project through the Investing in Canada Plan. The Government of the Northwest Territories is contributing $2,218,000 and will fund the remainder of the project. The total eligible cost of this project is $8,872,000.
- The Government of Canada previously invested $1.45 million through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency's (CanNor) for processing equipment, design and site planning for the facility.
- The Government of Canada invested 75 percent of funding for the Hay River to Pine Point Bridge and the Government of the Northwest Territories contributed the remaining for a total project cost of $14.7 million.
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in Canada's rural and northern communities, public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, and trade and transportation routes.
- $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
- $4 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
Associated links
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Federal infrastructure investments in Northwest Territories:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nt-eng.html
Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories Invest in Transportation Infrastructure:
https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2016/07/governments-of-canada-and-the-northwest-territories-invest-in-transportation-infrastructure.html
Northern fisheries benefitting from CanNor funding:
https://www.canada.ca/en/northern-economic-development/news/2018/05/new-investments-in-research-and-training-to-grow-northern-fisheries.html
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-697-3778, [email protected]; Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Department of Infrastructure Communications, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9082 (extension 31046), [email protected], Twitter: @GNWT_INF; Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Government of the Northwest Territories, Drew Williams, Asst. Director Strategic Communications, 867-767-9202 ext. 63037, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
Share this article