Canada and Nunavut Celebrate Grand Opening of New Igloolik Hamlet Office

News Release

For Immediate Release

CANADA AND NUNAVUT CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF NEW IGLOOLIK HAMLET OFFICE

Initiative made possible thanks to a federal-territorial partnership

January 20, 2014 – Igloolik, Nunavut

Residents of Igloolik celebrated today the official opening of the new hamlet office during the community’s annual "Return of the Sun" festival.

The hamlet’s old health centre was extensively renovated and now provides hamlet staff with sufficient space for operations under one roof, as well as increased council chamber space large enough for more members of the public to participate in upcoming council meetings. With a large public reception area, the building will also serve as a focal point for future community gatherings.

Quick Facts

• The governments of Canada and Nunavut have contributed over $4,283,800 under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund toward this initiative.

• The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund is part of the 2007 Building Canada Plan and is designed to address core infrastructure priorities in each jurisdiction.

• The Government of Nunavut has fully committed its total allocation of

$182.68 million under this fund to various initiatives such as this one.

Quotes

"This new hamlet office will strengthen the community by regrouping all services under one roof, and will serve the residents of Igloolik for decades to come. Our Government is proud to invest in significant infrastructure initiatives, like the new Igloolik Hamlet Office, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Nunavut."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq

Minister of the Environment,

Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency,

Minister for the Arctic Council and Member of Parliament for Nunavut

"Moving all municipal services into one facility allows Igloolikmiut a central access point to look for community programs, recreational events and jobs. It also creates opportunities to socialize, which lends to community well-being. We are encouraged by

the continued partnership between our governments on infrastructure projects across Nunavut."

Honourable Tom Sammurtok

Minister of the Department of Community and Government Services

Government of Nunavut

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Additional Links

Learn more about the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.

For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure in your region, visit Provinces-Territories Main Page.

Consult Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information on the Government of Canada’s focus on jobs and the economy.

Contacts:

Marie-Josée Paquette

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

613-943-1838

Hillary Casey Communications Officer Community and Government Services Government of Nunavut 867-975-5342 @email

Infrastructure Canada 613-960-9251 or Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154 Email: @email Twitter: @INFC_eng

Disponible en français

Dignitaries officially open the new hamlet office in Igloolik during a ceremony on January 20, 2014.

(Left to right) George Qulaut, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Tom Sammurtok, Minister of Community and Government Services, Joseph Inooya, Mayor of Igloolik, Peter Taptuna, Premier of Nunavut, Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister for the Arctic Council and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Paul Quassa, Minister of Education and MLA for Aggu (Igloolik North), and Igloolik elder, Hannah Uyarak, were at the ceremony.