NUNAVUT
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and her staff were busy crafting news releases in the days before the writ was dropped, making a federal election official on Oct. 19.

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq is going into the fall election swinging. Her communications team e-mailed almost a dozen funding announcements in the days prior to the writ dropping on Aug. 2. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

Almost a dozen federal funding announcements come off the presses July 31 and Aug. 1.

Everything from the Iqaluit marine port to tourism and studying fur were involved.

Some numbers were merely back-pats about current funding; other numbers were new promises.

Some of the funding is over a number of years, making it difficult to come up with a total number. The funding announcements were made under various responsibilities in Aglukkaq's portfolio including Nunavut MP, minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), minister responsible for the Arctic Council and minister of the Environment. July 31

$63.7 million for an Iqaluit port

Federal funding of up to $63.7 million for the Iqaluit Marine Infrastructure Project promises a small craft harbour, marine port and sealift facility in the capital.

"This infrastructure investment will generate further economic development and growth in Iqaluit, Nunavut's capital, while opening new and improved opportunities for Nunavummiut to benefit from the regions recreational, natural resource and tourism potential," states the press release.

The Government of Nunavut will be responsible for an estimated $21.2 million, bringing the total project cost to $84.9 million.

$22.7 million for marine transportation

New funding over five years promises to improve safety of marine transportation in the Arctic.

As part of the funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will acquire and install four multi-beam sonar systems aboard Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers to increase the amount of seafloor surveying in the Arctic.

"The Canadian Coast Guard will also immediately enhance emergency response and search and rescue capacity in the Arctic by increasing the current Coast Guard Auxiliary presence in remote locations," states the news release.

$15 million from gas tax

The Government of Canada announced that the $2-billion Gas Tax Fund allocated $15 million in 2015-2016 to help Nunavut communities build and rehabilitate their infrastructure.

"Between 2014 and 2024, Nunavut communities will receive an estimated $163 million in new federal infrastructure funding through the Gas Tax Fund," states the news release.

No new project funding was announced.

$4.4 million for upgrades to Polar Continental Shelf Program facility

Aglukkaq announced an investment of "up to" $4.4 million for science and infrastructure upgrades to the Polar Continental Shelf Program Facility in Resolute.

This investment in the program's Resolute Arctic logistics hub "will improve the energy efficiency of the facility as well as provide researchers with improved logistical and communications services, allowing the Polar Continental Shelf Program to operate in a more efficient and cost-effective manner," states the news release.

The program provides logistical support to researchers working in Canada's North.

$3.5 million for tourism

New funding aims to support tourism and market the North as a premiere travel destination.

"This investment will allow the (Nunavut Tourism) to undertake surveys to better understand the needs of visitors and operators in Nunavut," states the news release.

CanNor's investment in the Pan North Consortium, which includes several Northern tourism organizations, is $840,000 over two years, with the consortium investing $180,000.

CanNor's investment in Nunavut Tourism's sector development is $1,831,603 over two years, with Employment and Social Development Canada contributing $25,00. Nunavut Tourism is contributing $375,000 and the GN is providing an additional $262,500.

$845,104 for humane trapping

The Government of Canada is looking to continue research, testing and development of humane trapping systems for the capture of furbearing animals on land and in water.

"Management of these activities is an important component to the conservation of our natural heritage," states the news release.

The funding is over four years.

$520,384 for arts and culture

Funding from CanNor and the GN promises to expand job opportunity for Inuit artists across Nunavut.

"The funding allows feature film workshops to support filmmakers as they learn directly from an award-winning producer and director about acting, production assistance, and other filmmaking skills," states the press release.

A second initiative offers local artists training in business administration, finance, marketing and career planning.

The Government of Canada is investing $215,384 over two years in artists' business skills. The GN is contributing $301,000.

$445,360 for increasing knowledge of vital species

A two-year investment from the Government of Canada, universities and the GN aims to increase understanding of ringed seals and help harvesters improve the quality of pelts, ensuring better prices on the market.

"Funding will also be used to support the marketing of Aboriginal produced seal products in Europe," states the press release."

The Government of Canada is investing $260,740 over two years, the GN $115,060 and universities $69,560.

Review of funding

Aglukkaq patted CanNor on the back in a press release, noting that since its creation in 2009, the organization has invested over $222 million in more than 1,000 projects to foster economic development across the North.

"In Nunavut, CanNor has invested more than $81 million in over 300 projects across the territory," states the press release.

Variable funding supporting Northern businesses

A three-year partnership with two aboriginal organizations to deliver CanNor's Entrepreneurship and Business Development fund promises to aid individual and community-owned aboriginal businesses in Nunavut and Yukon.

"Supporting small and medium enterprises is key to economic diversification and job creation in Canada's North," states the news release.

Kivalliq Partners in Development will help screen applications and make funding recommendations for the consideration of the minister of CanNor.

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