Rankin Inlet (Oct 15/03) - Rankin Inlet is among the big winners in the $55-million slated to help Nunavut develop its public housing, water, sewage, and municipal-infrastructure programs.

The federal windfall was announced in Rankin on Oct. 5 by Industry Minister Allan Rock, Secretary of State for Rural Development Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State responsible for the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corp. Steve Mahoney and Nunavut Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell.

The feds will up $20 million towards water-and-sewage projects from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, along with another $20 million towards low income public housing.

Rankin is one of three communities to benefit from the water and sewage projects.

The community will see the design and construction of a sewage treatment plant, reusing the existing building and facility.

The $20 million in affordable housing funds will see up to 200 units constructed across Nunavut.

The federal government also announced Nunavut will receive $15 million from the new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

The money is expected to help quicken the arrival of high-speed broadband Internet across the region via satellite.

Rock said the funding initiatives demonstrate the federal government's commitment to improving the quality of life in the North.

"This announcement represents an important step towards ensuring access to safe water, supporting sustainable urban development and achieving infrastructure goals in the North," said Rock.

"Nancy (Lindell) has worked very hard with us in identifying the needs of this territory."

"We're (federal government) not telling you where this investment should be spent, but asking you where it's most needed and best utilized."

Mahoney said the hope in Ottawa is that the Government of Nunavut will match the $20 million for housing development.

"The need for new homes may be as high as 3,000 across the territory," said Mahoney.

"We can't do that all in one shot, but with our money, the Government of Nunavut's money -- your money -- we will be able to build about 400 new homes."