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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Chuck Strahl came North this week to give away $85 million.

On a trip that brought him through Fort Smith and Yellowknife before heading off to Nunavut, the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada made a slew of funding commitments, many of which were first announced in federal finance minister Jim Flaherty's budget in January.

Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo Chuck Strahl, minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, was in Yellowknife Monday to announce funding for projects under the federal government's two-year, $85 million Arctic research infrastructure fund. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

During a press conference in Yellowknife on March 30, Strahl listed four projects that got the go-ahead as part of a two-year, $85-million Arctic research infrastructure fund, including one major project in Inuvik.

The Aurora Research Institute will receive up to $11 million to construct a new research building and upgrade laboratory facilities.

The institute, which opened in 1964, can accommodate up to 20 researchers, and provide them with laboratory and office space. More than 2,000 projects have been conducted in the facility.

Also approved was more than $1.6 million for the Arctic Health Research Network that will establish a research training centre in Yellowknife. More than $740,000 will be allocated for infrastructure and technological upgrades to eight facilities spanning from Hudson Bay to the Mackenzie Delta used to research migratory birds. Also, $1.44 million will go to improve monitoring sites – including one in Yellowknife – to track airborne contaminants in the Arctic.

Strahl had issued a call for proposals back on Feb. 20.

He said the projects are being put in place to ensure there is adequate research infrastructure in place for the high Arctic research station planned for either Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet or Resolute. Strahl said the projects will also provide economic stimulus, through short-term renovations and construction and in the long-term through jobs and continued operation.

"By and large, this allocation is meant to get this money out," he said, adding in some instances, projects need to get started soon so communities and companies can take advantage of this year's sealift season.

On March 29, Strahl committed $3 million in further funding to the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, before addressing the NWT Chamber of Commerce in Fort Smith the next morning.

"Basically, this is a continuation of our funding to cover our operational expenses, so we can manage our one-third interest in the Makenzie gas pipeline," said president Bob Reid.

He said the group's six-year federal funding agreement expired March 31 – a date by which Reid said the pipeline was originally set to commence operation.

In the past eight years, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has provided the pipeline group with $12.9 million in funding. The funding will help the group manage its stake in the pipeline for the next two years.

"Until gas flows, we have no revenue," said Reid.

Strahl explained the funding commitments show the government is serious about having Northerners profit from potential pipeline development

"It's at least a good faith gesture," he said. "It's putting our money where our mouth is."

He explained the $37.6 million the government has devoted to speeding up the pipeline process, which has yet to get the go ahead, is "in anticipation of the big announcement we are all hopeful for."

Strahl also spoke Monday about the pending Northern Development Agency, but did not say where it will be located. He said the agency, which will operate separately from INAC, will be headquartered in one territory and satellite offices will be placed in the other two territories.

Strahl said Premier Floyd Roland pitched the NWT as the location of the headquarters, but said the final call will be made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"So that final decision would be with him, but I expect it later this spring," he said.

Strahl also announced more than $1 million for a mobile heavy-equipment training program, delivered through Aurora College, in the Deh Cho and South Slave regions.

Brendan Bell, who ran as the Conservative candidate in the last federal election, was present at the press conference in Yellowknife.

Bell, who lost to Dennis Bevington by 523 votes, said that while he had to discuss it with his family and that the timing of the election would play a factor, he still had an itch to run in the next election.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't want to give it another shot," he said, adding that he wanted to get "over the hump," referencing the close margin of defeat in 2008.