Government of Canada Supports Tourism in Qikiqtarjuaq - Minister Aglukkaq announces investment in new cultural display at Gathering House

IQALUIT, Feb. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Office of the Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council

Today, Minister Aglukkaq announced a new investment to develop Qikiqtarjuaq's tourism industry, a key sector in the community's economic development and growth.

The Government of Canada is making an investment to support the construction and installation of an interpretative and cultural display in Qikiqtarjuaq's Gathering House. The building is a focal point in the community for both residents and visitors. The new cultural display will provide important information for tourists to the region about the community and surrounding area, including Auyuittuq National Park.

Quick Facts

• To support this project, CanNor is investing $65,000, with additional funding from partners, including: $143,350 from the Government of Nunavut, $50,000 from Kakivak Association, and $50,037 from the Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq. The total investment is $308,387.
• Qikiqtarguaq is the northern access to the world renown Auyuittuq National Park, and tourism has been identified as an area with significant potential in the hamlet's community economic development plan.
• The interpretative and cultural display is under construction and is expected to be completed early next calendar year.

Quotes

"Nunavut's unique culture, geography and language have always made it a spectacular tourist destination. Our investment in the new cultural display at the Gathering House shows our Government's continued commitment to support the development of the territory's tourism sector and will specifically assist Qikiqtarjuaq in becoming an important tourist destination in the North."

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Minister for the Arctic Council

"The Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq has dreamed about having a tourism focal point in the heart of the community. This year we are seeing this dream become a reality with the completion of the Gathering House and being able to showcase our heritage through the cultural display. We're thankful to CanNor for funding for this project. We look forward to the next steps of being able to welcome even more visitors to our beautiful community and giving them a first class tourist experience." 

Mayor Mary Killiktee
Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq

Associated Links  

Government of Canada Invests in Community Development in Kugluktuk
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=876909

Government of Canada Supports Tourism Development in Arviat
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=885019

CanNor Invests in Nunavut's Tourism Sector
http://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1387554711747/1387554749731 

CanNor 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.

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq: Ted Laking, 819-997-1441; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency: Craig Welsh, Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region, 867-975-3722; Hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq: Mary Killiktee, Mayor, 867-927-8832; For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca; For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: northernstrategy.ca