Harper Government Invests in a Diversified Northern Economy - Funding Supports NWT Arts and Film Sectors

YELLOWKNIFE, Dec. 4, 2013 /CNW/ -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 to strengthen the arts and film sectors in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

"Our Government is pleased to contribute to projects that support strong, sustainable and prosperous northern communities," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This investment is helping to strengthen and diversify opportunities in the arts and film sectors in the NWT."

"Arts and film are key components of a healthy and diversified economy in the Northwest Territories, and play a key role in showcasing our residents' heritage and culture to the world," said David Ramsay, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. "By investing in these areas, we are helping to create jobs, increasing the profile of our talented artists, and raising awareness of the importance of these growing sectors."

CanNor is contributing $124,000 for two projects. Together with funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories, this represents an investment of $236,000 towards the arts and film industries in NWT. These projects are being implemented by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment:

• The Film Sector Strategy will assess the importance of this sector for the NWT economy, recommend how industry, organizations and government can work together to maximize current and future opportunities, and propose approaches to increase production and raise the profile of the Northwest Territories as a destination for the film industry. The Strategy is intended to support sustainable, long-term growth of this sector.
  
  
• CanNor is supporting the implementation of the NWT Arts Strategy Action Plan, which proposes various mechanisms to improve marketing of NWT arts. This includes the development and installation of promotional displays to showcase northern art and artists at venues across the Northwest Territories. The displays will connect artists and artwork to residents and tourists as they shop, visit galleries, hotels and retail locations.

Investment in this project is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building across the North. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. 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

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

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Christina Gray
Communications Advisor
867-766-8435

Government of the Northwest Territories
Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
867-920-8696