New infrastructure projects to benefit communities across the Northwest Territories

BEHCHOKǪ̀, NT, Jan. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Investing in local infrastructure supports the unique needs of northern communities. The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories, together with local community governments, are investing in modern public infrastructure that will help create jobs, while improving Northern Canadians' quality of life and contributing to stronger communities.

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure; and the Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, today announced $96 million in federal-territorial funding for infrastructure projects across the Territory.

This investment will bring many benefits to local communities. It will improve the ability to transport goods and equipment throughout the Northwest Territories, as well as enhance the safety of travellers by upgrading five main highways and various community roads. Additionally, this funding will support the construction of a new 1,500 square foot youth centre in Colville Lake, a cold storage garage in Trout Lake, as well as fund the purchase of a new sewage vacuum truck in Wrigley, and rehabilitate a community access road in Behchokǫ̀.

Once completed, these projects will contribute to stronger, more inclusive and sustainable communities in the North.

Quotes

"Public infrastructure connects people, supports job creation, and creates stronger communities. This is why the Government of Canada is providing unprecedented funding for public infrastructure projects that will help grow the economy, as well as promote sustainable development and long-term prosperity in the Northwest Territories and in communities across the country."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Infrastructure development is essential to the health and well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories. We are delighted to be working closely with the Government of the Northwest Territories to assist communities as they pursue key infrastructure improvements. Today's announcement will improve the quality of life for our residents, making life easier, healthier, and safer for families living and working in the North."

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories

"Investing in major highways and access roads is critical to continue meeting the needs of NWT communities and businesses through the effective delivery of essential goods and materials, while increasing driver safety. We are pleased to be working in partnership with Canada to undertake projects that will increase the resiliency of our transportation system to challenges related to age, increased traffic loads, and the impacts of climate change. Ongoing collaboration between our governments to improve northern infrastructure will have long-lasting benefits for Northerners and all Canadians."

The Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories

"The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to leveraging federal funding in its support of community governments' infrastructure priorities. With the announcement of these projects we are proud to say that all 33 communities in the NWT have now received approval for their Small Communities Fund projects. We are pleased to see these projects move forward and encourage the federal government to continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories as partners as we focus on meeting the needs of NWT communities."

The Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Government of the Northwest Territories

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will provide $72,125,000 through the Small Communities Fund for these projects.
• The Government of the Northwest Territories will contribute up to $23,875,000 towards these projects and the local community governments will contribute the remaining $354,700.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $2 billion of this funding will support infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities, such as facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. This funding also includes the $400-million Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.

Related product

Read the backgrounder to learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2018/01/backgrounder_newinfrastructureprojectstobenefitcommunitiesacross.html

Backgrounder

New infrastructure projects to benefit communities across the Northwest Territories

The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are announcing funding for new infrastructure projects that will have a significant and positive impact on communities across the Northwest Territories. The Government of Canada will provide up to $72,125,000 for these projects through the Small Communities Fund. The Government of the Northwest Territories will contribute up to $23,875,000 towards these projects and the local community governments will contribute the remaining $354,700.

The projects announced today are as follows:

Location	Project Description	Territorial and Community Contribution	Federal Contribution
Various locations throughout the Territory	Rehabilitation of Highways 1, 3, 7 and various community access roads and winter roads	$15,750,000	$47,250,000
Yellowknife area and Tsiigehtchic to Inuvik	Rehabilitation of Highways 4 and 8	$8,125,000	$24,375,000
Nahanni Butte	Upgrades to roads and ditches, installation of culverts and infilling of low lying areas	$125,000	$125,000
Trout Lake	Construction of a cold storage garage for the community	$50,000	$125,000
Colville Lake	Construction a new 1,500 square foot youth centre building	$125,000	$125,000
Wrigley	Purchase of a new sewage vacuum truck for the community	$54,700	$125,000

For more information on the Small Communities Fund, please visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html

 Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan

*New* – Investing in Canada plan project map

Federal infrastructure investments in the Northwest Territories

Smart Cities Challenge

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [e-mail]; Greg Hanna, Communications Coordinator, Department of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9082 ext. 31046, [e-mail], @GNWT_INF; Jay Boast, Communications and Website Advisor, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-767-9162 ext. 21044, [e-mail]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/