Creating Jobs and Improving Food Security
YELLOWKNIFE, July 31, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council today announced support for the development of a commercial greenhouse that will utilize hydroponic technology to provide locally-grown, high quality, affordable produce.
Head of the Line Services Inc. (HOTLS), an Aboriginal business based in Fort Simpson, NWT, will receive support through CanNor's Northern Greenhouse Initiative to undertake the project. The greenhouse is expected to grow produce which will be sold to local, retail, and camp markets as well as providing employment for local people.
Quick Facts
- This one-year project (2014-15) is valued at $232,000. The Government of Canada is investing $100,000, while HOTLS is investing $102,000. The Government of the Northwest Territories is providing support in the amount of $30,000.
- The objective of the Northern Greenhouse Initiative is to advance productivity and commercialization of food producing greenhouse projects in the North. It is meant to improve access to healthy food and increase jobs and economic opportunities for Northerners.
Quotes
"Our Government is proud to help provide Northerners with the skills training, technology, and capital they need to help take local food production to the next level. This will contribute to healthier, locally grown, and lower priced fresh food for northern families and less reliance on southern producers and distributors. It will help provide northern solutions for northern challenges."
Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Minister for the Arctic Council
"Head of the Line Services Inc. is pleased to have established this partnership with the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories. Our greenhouse in Fort Simpson will provide healthy, fresh produce for local communities and businesses, create jobs, reduce reliance on southern food imports and help to diversify the local economy."
Earl Browning, President
Head of the Line Services Inc.
Associated Links
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/08/22/measures-promote-northern-agriculture
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.
For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca
For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: northernstrategy.ca
SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Ted Laking, 819-997-1441; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Krisandra Reid, Communications Advisor, Yukon, 867-667-3210; Proponent/partner contact person, Earl Browning, President, Head of the Line Services Inc., 867-695-2030; Roya Grinsted, Cabinet Communications, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-669-2308
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