INUVIK, NT, July 27, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, announced over $12.5 million in funding for two green infrastructure projects in the Town of Inuvik and the Hamlet of Fort McPherson.
"Cultural and recreational centres are beacons of our northern communities. They enable intergenerational knowledge sharing, providing an important link between elders and youth and ensuring that Northern traditions are passed on from generation to generation. Our government is investing so that these facilities are more accessible and environmentally friendly - meaning more northerners will be able to use them, and local governments will spend less on energy costs," said Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
"With the completion of this project, it is estimated the Midnight Sun Complex will reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 363.2 t of Co2 and the potential operational cost savings of $13M over the anticipated 25-year life of the project. This would enable the Town to direct funding to other programs and reduce its infrastructure deficit," said His Worship Clarence Wood, Mayor of the Town of Inuvik.
"We are thrilled our application for a Cultural Wellness Centre was selected. The investment made from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program to construct a Net Zero carbon building will provide us with the opportunity to serve our youth, elders, and community members with a wide variety of programming. The Cultural Wellness Centre will be a place to share and pass on knowledge, deliver educational workshops, and be a gathering place to preserve our cultural and traditional history," said Wanda Pascal, Chief of the Teetl'it Gwich'in Band.
Funding will go towards retrofits to the Town of Inuvik's Midnight Sun Complex, the town's main recreation centre, by installing solar panels and a battery bank to offset high energy costs generated from diesel and liquefied natural gas. These upgrades will help reduce energy use and emissions, improve accessibility, and make the facility more comfortable for users.
In addition, funding will support the construction of a cultural wellness centre in Fort McPherson, which will serve as an important gathering area for elders, youth, and all community members. This new facility will provide spaces for residents and visitors to promote land-based knowledge sharing, preserve cultural history, socialize and participate in a variety of programs and activities. The new facility will feature a large architectural Teepee entrance, three large learning rooms that support tutoring, adult education, and skills development, as well as a Community Activity Centre which will allow the community to host cultural events.
- The Government of Canada is investing over $12.5 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
- Over $7 million is being invested for the Teetl'it Gwich'in Cultural Wellness Centre project
- And more than $5.5 million is being invested for the Midnight Sun Complex retrofit project.
- The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is an integral part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.
- At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.
- The projects announced today are funded through GICB's timed, competitive intake for large retrofit and new build projects ranging in total eligible costs from $3 million to $25 million.
- Provincial/territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations interested in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website.
- Applicants with large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million were accepted through a competitive intake process which closed on July 6, 2021. A second intake is anticipated later in 2022, however, the date has not yet been determined. Details about the second intake will be published to the Infrastructure Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings' website as soon as they become available.
- Applicants with small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 will be accepted and funded on a rolling intake basis.
- Announced in December 2020, Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy.
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Jean-Sébastien Comeau, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, 343-574-8116, [email protected]; Dez Loreen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Town of Inuvik, 867-777-8639, [email protected]; Trina Nerysoo, Manager, Tetlit Zheh Development Corporation, 867-336-2531, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
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