Iqaluit residents to benefit from improved waste management system

IQALUIT, July 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Modern public infrastructure is key to supporting the unique needs of northern communities. Investing in green infrastructure protects the environment and supports local economic opportunities, which goes hand in hand with improving family income, job opportunities and quality of life for those living and working in the North.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services; and Her Worship Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of the City of Iqaluit, today announced close to $35 million in joint funding to improve the City's solid waste management. The federal government is providing more than $26.2 million for this project and the City of Iqaluit is providing over $8.7 million.

Federal funding for the City of Iqaluit's new Solid Waste Facilities project comes from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, which is being delivered in Nunavut through an Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut.

This project includes replacing the City's existing landfill, which has reached the end of its useful life. Thanks to this investment, the City of Iqaluit will construct a new landfill that is essential to the health and safety of the community and the protection of the surrounding environment. The project includes the development of a new recycling and eco-centre, composting, and new methods of waste collection for residential, commercial and industrial waste. Funding will also be used for the construction of a road to the landfill and the decommissioning of the existing site.

This much anticipated project will help improve the efficiency and standard of solid waste management in Iqaluit while reducing the environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the City's air quality.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in infrastructure improvements that contribute to Iqaluit's economy, help to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for Northern Canadians. This new project will improve the way solid waste is processed and reduce environmental impacts for all residents for generations to come."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Today's announcement is a good example of our three levels of government working together to improve our environmental stewardship. Solid waste management is a growing concern for Nunavut. A coordinated and strategic approach is needed to ensure that solid waste management, as a key municipal operation, contributes to the wellness of Nunavummiut and is aligned with the Inuit societal value of Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq: respect and care for the land, animals and the environment."

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

"I am pleased to be able to announce that our City will have the waste management system that it so desperately needs. I know the community of Iqaluit will be tremendously relieved to see action being taken to protect our wildlife and environment. This is a great step forward in Iqaluit's development as the capital of Nunavut and as a Canadian Arctic city."

Her Worship Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of the City of Iqaluit

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest 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.
• $26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• $2 billion of this funding will support infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million will be delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
• $4 billion of this funding will support infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

Federal infrastructure investments in Nunavut

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada