Minister Aglukkaq Announces Funding for Mobile Laboratories to Support Scientific Research in Fisheries and Geosciences

Equipment also supports HMS Erebus research and archaeology

CAMBRIDGE BAY, NU, July 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council announced an investment to improve research, archaeology, and support economic diversification in the North. This investment will allow the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) to acquire six mobile science laboratories. These laboratories will be used in the communities of Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven, and in the Queen Maud Gulf area.

Three of the laboratories will focus on fisheries and marine sciences, geosciences, and archeology related to HMS Erebus. The remaining three will be used for general research purposes. In addition to supporting research, the laboratories will also provide economic benefits to local communities. The labs are expected to arrive in Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven in August 2015, and will be ready for use shortly after.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $2,100,000 in this project. The ARF is contributing an additional $990,000 to the project while the University of Manitoba and Queen's University will each provide $30,000. The total investment in the project is $3,150,000.
• These mobile laboratories will support economic development in fisheries, mining, and tourism. The ARF will train Inuit from the Kitikmeot region so research related to these sectors can be completed in the North. Research will enable mining of soapstone for local carvers and increase the understanding of the marine ecosystem supporting sustainable development in the local fishing industry.
• For the last five years the non-profit ARF has been involved in research and economic development in the North. The Foundation was also a partner in the discovery of the HMS Erebus, providing logistics and research support through their vessel the R/V Martin Bergmann.

Quotes
"Our Government is committed to helping Nunavut benefit from the tremendous opportunities in the region. That's why we are happy to partner with the Arctic Research Foundation on this important initiative. With the investment in these mobile laboratories critical research can now be conducted in the North, supporting northern economic growth and bringing jobs to the region."

Leona Aglukkaq

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

"The Arctic Research Foundation is proud to join the efforts of the Government of Canada and other partners in building capacity in Canadian Arctic by supporting scientific research in fisheries, oceanography, archeology and geoscience."

Adrian Schimnowski
Operations Director, Arctic Research Foundation

Associated Links  

Harper Government Supports Geoscience Research in the North
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=904839&tp=1

Harper Government Announces Support for Cold Climate Research
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=904029&tp=1

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: Jonathan Lefebvre, 819-997-1441; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency: Krisandra Reid, Communications Advisor, 867-667-3210; Arctic Research Foundation: Adrian Schimnowski, Operations Director, 204-470-5408