Tourism and Employment in Yukon get boost from Cannor

CanNor-10-025

Whitehorse (Yukon), July 22, 2010. Exciting new avenues of tourism for Yukon are being explored and developed with an investment from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) over two years to three separate communities.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, today announced a $237,138 investment to the Vuntut Development Corporation, the Ross River Dena Council, and l’Association Franco-Yukonnaise for development of new programs to attract tourism to their respective communities in Yukon.

“Our Government is proud to support these innovative projects aimed at creating new tourism in Yukon. These projects will also create employment opportunities for the residents of these communities,” said Minister Strahl, who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

“Culture and traditions are important facets of tourism in the Yukon.” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. “The Vuntut Gwichin and Ross River Dena Council and l’Association Franco-Yukonnaise are identifying new ways to attract new tourism to Yukon. This is important in growing the territory’s economy and creating new jobs.”

CanNor will provide the following investments over two years:

• $46,638 to the Vuntut Development Corporation (VDC) of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation to conduct a feasibility study and explore the viability of an inn in Old Crow. The potential benefits of an inn located in Old Crow would include the expansion of Old Crow’s economic base with increased tourism and employment opportunities in the community.
  
  
• $68,000 to Ross River Dena Council to develop a tourism strategy to add to its existing Economic Development Strategy that will be used to guide economic development decisions of the Council over the next several years.
  
  
• $122,500 to l’Association Franco-Yukonnaise to conduct a tourism capacity and impact study to develop and create two package tours and accompanying marketing strategy for the French-language market. The expectation is that the new tourism products will generate opportunities for local participation in economic activities.

The Vuntut Development Corporation and Ross River Dena Council projects are funded by the Community Economic Opportunities Program (CEOP), one of a suite of programs administered by CanNor. CEOP provides project-based support to First Nation and Inuit communities or organizations that have identified economic development opportunities demonstrating significant economic benefits.

Funding for l’Association Franco-Yukonnaise project is being provided by CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories. SINED and CEOP are two of several economic development programs within CanNor which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

Backgrounder - Funding to Support New Yukon Tourism and Employment Opportunities

Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan   and Canada's Northern Strategy  .

 

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
819-997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Bonnie Venton Ross
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849