Canada and the Northwest Territories sign a new agreement to make significant investments in transformative infrastructure projects

Over $570 million available for projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

YELLOWKNIFE, NT, March 7, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories 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; the Honourable Wally Schumann, territorial Minister of Infrastructure; the Honourable Caroline Cochrane, territorial Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs; and Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $570 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.

The Investing in Canada plan will see the Government of Canada make unprecedented investments in infrastructure across the Northwest Territories, while providing the flexibility for the Territory and its communities to identify their priorities and projects.

These investments will make a positive difference in communities, such as:

• better movement of people and goods
• clean air and water
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• smarter and more efficient cities
• sustainable water management
• public 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 will be invested through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to support public transit, green infrastructure, recreational and cultural infrastructure as well as rural and northern communities. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.

Quotes

"Long-term investments in infrastructure are key to building a strong Canada-connecting people, creating well-paying jobs, and building our economy and our communities for the future. We are pleased to reach a new agreement with the Northwest Territories to invest in infrastructure projects that will benefit Northern communities for years to come. Collaboration and partnership have been at the heart of the success of our Investing in Canada plan and we will continue to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and Canadians from coast to coast to coast."  

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Nowhere is the link between infrastructure and economic prosperity as obvious as it is in the Northwest Territories. Transformative projects can happen today in Canada's North, and will give our residents the opportunity of economic self-determination. Creating the North our people want and need means working together with many partners ? Canada, Indigenous governments, community governments, business and industry ? to create and implement a clear plan for investing in our people in the long term."

The Honourable Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories

"Today's signing demonstrates the importance of partnerships between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada and Northwest Territories community governments in enabling communities to build, replace, or improve much-needed public infrastructure. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will be working with communities to help optimize the funding available through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan. We will assist communities to align their capital plans with the federal programs announced today."

The Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Government of the Northwest Territories

"Infrastructure development is vital to the health and wellbeing of Northern Canadians. When the Government of Canada invests in infrastructure, we are investing in Canadians and making a difference in people's daily lives. This new funding will provide those living and working in the North with clean and reliable drinking water, improved health and recreational opportunities, and more reliable community services."

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories

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 worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion across Canada.
• 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, $400 million will be delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
• This marks the first new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.

Related product

Read the backgrounder to learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2018/03/backgrounder-canada-and-the-northwest-territories-sign-a-new-agreement-to-make-significant-investments-in-transformative-infra.html

Backgrounder

Canada and the Northwest Territories sign a new agreement to make significant investments in transformative infrastructure projects

Over $570 million available for projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

Under the $180 billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories, which will see more than $33 billion in federal investment towards significant infrastructure projects across the country. The objective of these investments is to transform the way Canadians live, move and work in four priority areas:

• Rural and northern communities;
• Green infrastructure;
• Community, culture, and recreation infrastructure; and
• Public transit;

Northwest Territories' Funding Allocations

The table below shows the allocations for the Territory by funding stream from 2018-2028 which amounts to $570,776,826.

* Outcomes will be obtained through projects which will be communicated in more detail as they are announced.

The bilateral agreements will allow the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories to agree on shared results as well as a method of reporting on results on a regular basis. The bilateral agreements support the following long-term results:

• Increase the rate of economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable way;
• Improve environmental quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency of communities;
• Improve mobility in Canadian communities;
• Make Canadian communities more inclusive and accessible; and
• Manage infrastructure in a more sustainable way.

Under these new bilateral agreements, the Government of Canada will not only make significant investments in Canadian communities, but also open the door to unique and innovative project ideas that meet the agreed-upon outcomes. These new ideas will contribute to the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure.

In order to ensure our partners consider opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or better adapt to climate change during the project development stage, a new climate lens will be applied for certain projects. Additionally, partners will also report on how larger projects are creating job opportunities for a broader array of Canadians in the construction industry and related sectors through a new Community Employment Benefits framework.

For information on cost-sharing, please see Infrastructure Canada's website.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan

*New* ? Investing in Canada plan project map

Federal infrastructure investments in the Northwest Territories

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada