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CanNor Invests in Land Development Plan

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association shows ongoing commitment to community development

CanNor 13-031

Iqaluit, Nunavut (December 16, 2013) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced funding for a detailed development plan of Inuit Owned Lands (IOL) in the City of Iqaluit by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA).

“Through this development plan, there is the potential to create new jobs and generate economic opportunities for Inuit,” said Minister Aglukkaq.”Our government is committed to working with our partners, including QIA, to support community planning and economic development throughout the region.”

“This first Private Land Development initiative in Nunavut complements the long-term land planning efforts by the City of Iqaluit,” said QIA’s President Okalik Eegeesiak. “As we work to successfully implement private land development within municipal boundaries, this initiative could be a model for all our communities as well as the Inuit organizations within Qikiqtani, the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.”

CanNor 13-030’s investment of $350,000 to QIA for this $510,000 project will assist in outlining the potential development of 16 hectares of Inuit-owned land on Federal Road between the city core and the new airport in Iqaluit. Funding will go towards urban planning and design, legal surveying, civil, geotechnical and environmental engineering to prepare a development plan for the land.

The Lands and Resources Department of QIA will manage the project in coordination with Qikiqtaaluk Properties Inc. The QIA is incorporated as a non-profit association and is the regional Inuit organization within the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut.

Investment in this project is made possible through CanNor 13-030′s Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) suite of programs, which aim to increase the participation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the northern economy. AED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor 13-030. CanNor 13-030 works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada’s three territories, and delivers on its northern mandate through funding programs, the Northern Projects Management Office and by undertaking policy and research.

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Jennifer Kennedy
819-997-1441

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Craig Welsh
Communications Advisor
867-975-3722

Qikiqtani Inuit Association
Hannah Uniuqsaraq
A/Communications Manager
867-975-8400

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