North of 60 NationTalk

Canada and Yukon invest in local energy and snowmaking at Mount Sima

27/11/2020

Joint news release with the Government of Canada.

Yukoners need recreational facilities that are accessible, efficient and environmentally responsible.

Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef, and on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna, and Minister of Community Services for the Government of Yukon John Streicker, announced funding for recreational infrastructure at the Mount Sima ski hill in Whitehorse.

The Mt. Sima pumphouse and electrification project will improve the ski hill’s electricity and snowmaking capacity. The ski hill’s upgrades include new electrical, pumping and stream flow control measures, as well as converting snow-making away from reliance on diesel power. These upgrades will facilitate snow-making opportunities during the low-snow parts of the season, and protect natural surroundings, including Sima Creek.

The installation of LED lighting on the ski hill will help build increased capacity for training and special events on the ski hill.

The Government of Canada is investing over $3.7 million in this project through the Investing in Canada plan through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS). The Government of Yukon is providing more than $1.4 million.

Mt. Sima is a popular winter destination for all Yukoners, including indigenous and youth groups who travel from outside the Whitehorse area to enjoy skiing and snowboarding activities. This funding will improve the operations of this valued facility, which serves as an important winter activity and skill development venue for Yukon residents of all ages.

Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Minister Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef

It’s more important than ever that Canadians have the opportunity to get outside to stay healthy and active while protecting our natural winter environment. The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.7 million in better winter sports infrastructure for Yukon skiers and snowboarders, including upgrades to electrical and pumping systems, improved snow-making operations and eco-friendly lighting on Mt. Sima. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna

Mount Sima has recently emerged as a destination training facility for elite Canadian athletes, including Olympic gold medalists. These upgrades to the electricity and snowmaking capacity will allow Mount Sima to provide more training and special events while reducing their dependency on diesel. Our government is committed to supporting transitions to green energy around the territory and at the same time supporting our local recreation infrastructure. We look forward to seeing Mount Sima continue to offer safe quality outdoor experiences for Yukoners.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker

Quick facts

Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing 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.
To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html
The new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $31 million in existing federal funding to support communities as they deploy innovative new ways to adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.html

Contact

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
[email protected]

Kara Johancsik
Communications, Communications
867-332-1237
[email protected]

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
[email protected]

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: [email protected]

NT5

Government of Canada investment aims to boost economic growth, enhance skills development and create good jobs in the Northwest Territories

From: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Investment of over $1.3 million supports Northern and Indigenous employment, capacity building, infrastructure development and entrepreneurship in the Northwest Territories

November 27, 2020 – Yellowknife, NT – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Small businesses are at the heart of Northern communities. They create good jobs, support local economies and build prosperity. Strategic investments help NWT communities and businesses take advantage of economic development and growth opportunities. Today’s announcement supports regional economic development in the traditional territory of the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, principally in Fort Liard; in the Sahtu and in Yellowknife. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting territorial businesses and communities, and helping stimulate the growth of Northern economies.

Federal government support for 3 projects across the Northwest Territories

Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, announced an investment of over $1.3 million for three key regional initiatives to support Northern and Indigenous employment, training, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and infrastructure development in NWT. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CanNor.

Direct investment in these diverse projects and Northern infrastructure will boost economic growth, enhance skills development and create good jobs for Northerners. Through this investment, the federal government is helping small NWT businesses maintain 10 full-time jobs and create many new jobs, and, in doing so, generate good local employment.

Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to Northern businesses, helping them overcome challenges posed by COVID-19, and helping build towards long-term sustainable economic development across the Northwest Territories.

Initiatives like these will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that small businesses, which are the backbone of the Canadian economy, can play a major role in Canada’s economic recovery and help create over one million jobs, restoring employment to previous levels. Canadians need good jobs they can rely on.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that increase capacity building, develop infrastructure and create regional employment opportunities across the NWT. By helping Indigenous businesses and Northern communities seize opportunities, we are helping Indigenous peoples and Northerners move toward self-sufficiency and sustainable prosperity.”

Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CanNor

“To boost capacity and create new business opportunities across NWT, we have provided support so businesses can develop the skills they need, build the infrastructure to expand, and acquire the equipment they need to get to work. This investment from the Government of Canada supports sustainable regional and community economic development in NWT, and will help create good local jobs in Northern and Indigenous communities.”

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

“Our government has committed to finding ways to fund and support community-led makerspaces – as a means to prepare residents for current and future job and business development opportunities. These facilities provide the environment for collaboration and shared visioning; and lead to new and innovative ideas and products.”

Honourable Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

“Makerspace YK is thrilled to work with our federal and territorial partners to drive sustainable economic diversification and community self-reliance through sharing, collaboration, and empowering the already innovative and resilient residents of Yellowknife. Thanks to CanNor we’ll be able to create a space where we can host workshops and work on projects, and foster a collaborative environment for the next generation of Yellowknife entrepreneurs.”

Cat McGurk, President of Makerspace Yellowknife

Quick facts

The funding announced today is provided through CanNor’s programs, which support projects promoting sustainable community economic development, enhancing business development and growth, and facilitating innovation.

International Inuit organization says Arctic HFO ban’s too weak – Nunatsiaq News

27 November 2020

The International Maritime Organization’s new rules on the use of heavy fuel oil, or HFO, won’t protect the Arctic for at least 10 years, the Inuit Circumpolar Council said in a news release this week.

Alongside a global coalition of environmental organizations called the Clean Arctic Alliance, the ICC has for years urged the IMO to enact an Arctic ban on HFO, a thick tar-like substance used as marine fuel.

Also known as bunker oil, HFO is hard to clean up if spilled into cold waters and when burned, it produces black carbon soot, a major contributor to climate change.

Media Advisory: Premier Cochrane’s Itinerary for November 27, 2020

Premier Cochrane’s Itinerary for November 27, 2020

Issued November 26, 2020.

Note: As of December 4, 2020, the daily itinerary will no longer be distributed. It will be replaced by a weekly itinerary sent out every Friday for the following week. It will also be updated mid-week to reflect any changes to the Premier’s schedule.

Public Events and Meetings

No public events or meetings are scheduled.

Closed Events and Meetings

The following events are closed to the media

The Premier will be participating in a Tłı̨chǫ Government Bilateral meeting in Yellowknife.

All meetings and events subject to change.

For Ministerial Media Requests, Contact:

Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
[email protected]

NT5

YT Government: November 26, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed

26/11/2020

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 42 cases. There are six new recoveries and 12 active cases in Yukon.

Two cases are in Whitehorse and the third is in a rural community:

Case 40 is linked to a known case in Whitehorse.
Case 41 is linked to the Diwali festival in Whitehorse.
Case 42 is the rural case that is still under investigation but likely linked to exposure to one of the other known outbreaks in Whitehorse.

If you were at the Diwali festival on Saturday, November 14 and are experiencing any symptoms we recommend that you get tested immediately.

An additional public exposure notice is being issued for:

Save-On-Foods
- Wednesday, November 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.

If you were in contact with anyone who was at one of the locations listed in the public exposure notices, you are a secondary contact and you do not need to self-isolate. Visit Yukon.ca for more information on self-isolation.

If you are not notified and do not have symptoms, you may continue with your usual daily activities. Remember to always follow the Safe 6 and we encourage you to wear a mask when required.

Anyone who is experiencing any of the following symptoms is asked to self-isolate and arrange for testing immediately:

Fever
Chills
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Runny nose
Sore throat
Loss of sense of taste or smell
Headache
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Muscle aches

If you are experiencing any symptoms and have been at these locations please call the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre at 867-393-3083 to arrange for testing. Or drop in at the drive-thru testing centre located at Centennial Motors on the Alaska Highway across from the airport. You can also contact your rural community health centre. Due to a high volume of calls, you may be required to leave a number where you can be contacted. The COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre staff will return your call. If you do not receive a call within 24 hours please call back.

The Government of Yukon encourages Yukoners to remain calm and continue to follow the Safe 6 and wear a mask when required. Please be patient and kind to one another.

Contact

Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
[email protected]

NT4

NDP Leader demands Trudeau do more to help Nunavut contain COVID-19 outbreak – Nunatsiaq News

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the federal government to send more tests and personal protective equipment to Nunavut to help stop the territory’s COVID-19 outbreak.

Singh made the demands in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and in Parliament Wednesday.

He said he was speaking on behalf of Nunavut MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, a New Democrat, who has been on an eight-week health leave since late October.

In the letter to Trudeau, Singh said that while Nunavut is going through one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Canada — by population — the territory is also experiencing a housing crisis, increasing the risk of infection for Nunavummiut.

Notice – QIA Update on the December 14 Election

(November 26, 2020 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) will hold an election for Vice-President, Secretary and five Community Director positions on December 14, 2020.

The election is scheduled for December 14, and the advance polls for December 7.

Due to a territory-wide lockdown regarding COVID-19 until at least December 2, QIA is preparing contingency plans for the election. On December. 4, QIA will announce how the election will take place and how it will proceed.

“While the election is important for QIA, the health of all Nunavummiut is the top priority,” said Paul Okalik, Chief Returning Officer. “We’ll be prepared with equipment such as masks, shields and hand sanitizers to ensure that staff are protected, and Inuit can vote safely.”

Contacts:

Paul Okalik                                                    Nadia Ciccone
Chief Returning Officer (CRO)                   Ayaya Communications
c/o Ayaya Communications                       157 Nipisa Street, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0
Tel: 867-222-5549                                       Tel: 867-979-1484
Fax: 867-979-1487                                     Fax: 867-979-1487
Email: [email protected]                             Email: [email protected]

NT5

Intergovernmental Meeting between Salt River First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories

November 26, 2020

The attached is being distributed on behalf of the Salt River First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Backgrounder:

intergovernmental_meeting_between_salt_river_first_nation.pdf

reunion_intergouvernementale_entre_la_premiere_nation_de_salt_river.pdf

NT5

Media Advisory – MP McLeod to make a virtual announcement highlighting support for regional initiatives across NWT

From: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, November 26, 2020 — Please be advised that Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CanNor, will make a virtual announcement regarding three key regional initiatives to support Northern and Indigenous employment across the Northwest Territories.

Following his remarks, MP McLeod will be available to answer questions from the media.

Date: November 27, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm MST/ 3:00 pm EST

Location:
Virtual Zoom Event
Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hkcuobHcQw-11HCmOpKkBQ

Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
[email protected]

Barbara Abramchuk
Communications Advisor, Northwest Territories
CanNor
867-445-4032
[email protected]

NT5

No new COVID-19 cases reported in Nunavut – Nunatsiaq News

26 November 2020

For the first time in close to three weeks, Nunvaut reported no new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

The territorial government also said three more people have recovered, bringing the number of active cases down to 150, from 153 on Wednesday.

Still, chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson cautioned people to continue following restrictions that were put in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

Nunavut is in the second half of a two-week territory-wide lockdown the government imposed Nov. 18, in the face of increasing confirmation of positive cases.