Minister Chagger wraps up successful trip to Nunavut and celebrates Trans Canada Trail connection milestone

IQALUIT, Nov. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - "Our nation's greatest natural resource is its diverse, natural beauty, which the Trans Canada Trail brings to all of us from coast to coast to coast," said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. In her remarks at an event celebrating Nunavut's connection to the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), also known as the Great Trail, Minister Chagger spoke about how initiatives such as the TCT, which is owned and managed by local trail groups, conservation authorities and governments, stimulate tourism. She also talked about how the TCT showcases the richness and diversity of Canada, making it a premier tourist destination.

While in Iqaluit, Minister Chagger also announced $29.5 million in funding for Nunavut Arctic College through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. The project supports Nunavut's key priority of providing more educational opportunities for Nunavummiut and building a strong middle class in the North. The project will also incorporate renewable energy and sustainable building options in its design, thereby bolstering Canada's commitment to a cleaner, healthier environment.

She also co-chaired, along with the Honourable Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Nunavut's Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, a Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers (CCTM) meeting on November 24. At the meeting, federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for tourism agreed to a declaration, known as the Nunavut Declaration, which identifies priorities and actions for collaboration that support Canada's tourism sector. The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, is the new co-chair of the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers and will host the next meeting in Ottawa in 2017.

During her week-long visit to Iqaluit, Minister Chagger had a chance to meet with local tourism business leaders and operators, including Arctic Kingdom Polar Expedition, to gain a better understanding of northern communities and the tourism sector in Nunavut and to discuss future growth opportunities.

Quote

"Exploring Nunavut was another opportunity to see first hand the incredible experiences and destinations Canada has to offer from coast to coast to coast. A prime example is the Great Trail, which stretches through every province and territory and will link over 1,000 communities and 34 million Canadians, offering something for everyone. While in Nunavut, I had an opportunity to meet with my counterparts from across the country to discuss ways to advance Canada's tourism vision. We affirmed our shared commitment to promote Canada as the destination of choice for travellers, which will create jobs for Canadians and drive growth across all industries."
– The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Quick facts

• The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) was initiated as a project to celebrate Canada's 125th anniversary. Once fully connected, the TCT will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres through every province and territory, linking Canadians in nearly 1,000 communities from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic. 
• The TCT should be fully connected by 2017. To date, over 18,000 kilometres are operational (80 percent of the proposed route), and connection is ahead of schedule. 
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.

Associated links

• Canada and Nunavut invest in infrastructure at Nunavut Arctic College
• Canada's tourism ministers meet and agree to tourism declaration

Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT 
Instagram: minofsbt

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

James Fitz-Morris, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, 343-291-2700; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]