Canada and Nunavut make significant investments that will improve the lives of Northern Canadians

News release

$566 million available for projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

Ottawa, Ontario, March 28, 2018The governments of Canada and Nunavut are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments to create economic growth, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy–leading to a higher quality of life for Northern Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $566 million over the next decade in federal funding dedicated to infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada plan. The projects supported through this agreement will be cost-shared with the territorial government, municipalities and other partners. The Government of Canada is providing up to 75% of eligible expenditures for projects in the territories and for projects with Indigenous partners.

To access this funding, the Government of Nunavut will contribute more than $188 million to meet its 25% cost sharing requirements, bringing the total impact of this agreement to more than $754 million in direct infrastructure spending for Nunavut.

The new funding will see the Government of Canada make unprecedented investments in small and rural communities, green infrastructure, and recreational and cultural infrastructure. Also included in this funding is $175 million under the Arctic Energy Fund that will address energy security in the territories. These investments will support the Government’s plan to create well-paying jobs and economic growth from coast-to-coast-to-coast while building inclusive communities that provide the opportunities Canadians want and need.

These investments will have benefits for people in communities across the territory, including:

  • Cleaner air and water
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • Smarter and more efficient communities
  • Sustainable water management
  • Cultural spaces, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live
  • Better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities
  • Energy security and reduced reliance on diesel in the North

Across Canada, more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.

Quotes

“I am pleased that Nunavut and the Government of Canada have reached an agreement that will benefit communities across the territory for years to come. Today’s agreement will provide the long-term, predictable, and sustainable funding needed to help address the unique challenges of life in the North. I look forward to continuing to work with territorial, municipal, and Indigenous partners to make strategic investments in Nunavut that will build inclusive and resilient communities where everyone has opportunities to succeed.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The Government of Nunavut welcomes this renewed investment in Nunavut’s infrastructure under the federal Investing in Canada plan. We are pleased with the structure of this new funding that supports long-term planning and enhances our engagement with our Inuit and municipal stakeholders. We must also continue the ongoing dialogue that has brought us here today, so that we can work to truly overcome Nunavut’s growing infrastructure needs.”

The Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services

Quick facts

  • Under 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.

  • Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion. 

  • As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams:  

    • $20.1 billion for public transit;
    • $9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
    • $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and
    • $2 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities. In addition, the $400 million Arctic Energy Fund will be delivered under this stream to support energy security in the territories.
  • This marks the fourth new long-term infrastructure bilateral agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.

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Contacts

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca

Kris Mullaly
Policy Analyst/Communication Officer
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
kmullaly@gov.nu.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

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