New Canada-Nunavut Funding Agreement to Strengthen Nunavut's Capacity to Address Climate Change Impacts

OTTAWA, Jan. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - In the spirit of reconciliation, the Government of Canada is committed to supporting and partnering with Indigenous and northern communities, territorial and provincial governments and other interested parties, as they take action on climate change.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs announced a new funding agreement between the Governments of Canada and Nunavut.

Under the new agreement, the territorial government will receive $1.7 million between 2017 and 2021 to implement climate adaptation actions. These actions include reducing the impact of climate on ice-based operations and lands of traditional or recreational importance. Initiatives will also be implemented to foster youth engagement in climate change planning and knowledge transfer. Selected projects will be identified in collaboration with Indigenous and northern communities and the government of Nunavut.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is working with the people of Nunavut to build on their traditional knowledge and find new and innovative approaches to advance climate change resilience in Indigenous and northern communities. This agreement will improve Nunavut's autonomy and capacity to achieve these goals and to help Canada meet its international commitments while renewing the Inuit-Crown relationship on the basis of recognition of rights, respect and partnership."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

"Nunavut is experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand, and we are especially vulnerable to its impacts. The Government of Nunavut is pleased to work with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to find new and innovative ways to ensure we are better prepared to deal with climate change. The funding received under the Climate Change Preparedness in the North program helps us develop projects to adapt and ensure long-term resiliency in the territory."

Nunavut Minister of Environment Elisapee Sheutiapik

Quick Facts

• Building on $21.8 million invested over five years through budget 2016, budget 2017 provided an additional $25.4 million over five years, starting in 2017-18 to support climate change adaptation projects and initiatives in Canada's three northern territories, along with Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.
• Funding is delivered through the Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program (CCPN), which is part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change, Canada's national plan to address climate change issues.
• The program uses a targeted approach that responds to local and regional priorities identified in collaboration with Indigenous and northern communities, territorial and regional governments, and other federal departments

Associated Links

• Find out how INAC takes action on climate change, and protects the environment.
• Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program
• The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160