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IQALUIT - Two federal funding announcements for Nunavut infrastructure that are based on need, rather than population size, represent a welcome departure from years past, said premier Eva Aariak.

On April 9, the premier joined Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's minister of Health and Nunavut MP, in announcing up to $32.2 million to fund the construction of the Piqqusilirivvik Cultural Facility in Clyde River, a project that was slated in the territory's 2008-2009 budget.

Premier Eva Aariak, left, and Leona Aglukkaq, Nunavut's MP and federal cabinet minister, right, are all smiles while signing official documents following the announcement of further infrastructure funding for Nunavut. - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

The project will be jointly funded by both governments, with the federal contribution covering 75 per cent of the total cost. Aglukkaq also made a parallel announcement of an additional $60 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund between 2010 and 2014 to support key community infrastructure in Nunavut, such as water and solid waste infrastructure.

"For years, we've known that investments in the North must be based on need, not on the number of people who live in our communities," said Aariak.

"In the past, federal programs provided enough funding to construct one room in a building or a fraction of a road. Nunavut was left to foot the bill for the remainder of the project or give the money back," she added. "Here today, with two significant announcements with funding for Nunavut based on our needs, these funds take into account our high cost of shipping and construction. They fund the majority of the projects, if not the entire projects."

The focus of the new cultural facility will be to preserve Inuit culture, language and heritage for generations to come, and give elders a place where they can help youth maintain their cultural values, the representatives announced.

"It will provide an avenue for our elders to be involved in the instruction of our youth and will give merit to our traditional economy," said the premier, noting her gratitude to Nunavut Tunngavik for their assistance in planning for the facility.

"This is a very exciting historical step," said Aariak. "It is an acceptance and recognition of who we are."

In conjunction, the federal Gas Tax Fund will help stimulate Nunavut's economy, creating jobs and stability in communities, said Aglukkaq. While extending the Gas Tax payment for four years, the federal government is also doubling Nunavut's allocation and making funding available to municipalities in early April.

"The new $60 million ensures continued federal support to communities until the Gas Tax funding becomes permanent after 2014 as announced in Budget 2008," said Aglukkaq. "The Gas Tax Fund is a good example of how we are already delivering results on infrastructure, from the construction of a new sewage lagoon in the Hamlet of Hall Beach to the development of a sludge management program in Iqaluit."

The infrastructure funding was welcome news to Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services for Nunavut.

"The infrastructure partnership forged between the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada across a variety of sectors continues to assist in reducing the very large infrastructure deficit in the territory," he stated.