Governments of Canada, Yukon and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Invest in Water System Upgrades

CanNor-10-026

Dawson City, Yukon (July 26, 2010) – Citizens of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation will benefit from a new water delivery fill station in Carmacks, Yukon thanks to an investment by the Governments of Canada and Yukon and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation.

The investment of $1.98 million will provide safe water and improved services, as well as reduce operating costs and create jobs. The Governments of Canada, Yukon and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation will each invest more than $660,000 in the project.

“Our Government is committed to investing in modern, upgraded water facilities which improve the availability and quality of water for residents. This investment meets the real needs of northern communities,” said Minister Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

“Access to clean, safe drinking water for citizens is our government’s number one priority,” said Lead Councillor, Darlene Johnson of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation. “We look forward to more opportunities to work together with Canada and Yukon on infrastructure projects to provide a healthy, prosperous future for our community.”

“Ensuring citizens have access to safe and reliable drinking water is a priority for Yukon. These improvements, and many others across Yukon, will help build healthy, strong communities,” Community Services Minister Archie Lang said.

This new water delivery fill station will include a building to house the well, water storage and treatment systems, a water truck, office space and a water laboratory where continuous testing will be carried out to protect the water quality.

Support for green energy will also be part of this Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) project.  The old water fill station will have an energy efficiency upgrade which will provide heat and energy savings. Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, and the Governments of Canada and Yukon support a green energy approach to infrastructure that helps protect the environment by taking care of the land for future generations.

For further information on infrastructure projects in Yukon, visit Creating Jobs – Building Communities   or visit Yukon Infrastructure Funds  .

 

Backgrounder – Support for Yukon First Nation Infrastructure Project

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

Cathrine Morginn
Communications Coordinator
Department of Community Services
Government of Yukon
867-456-3938

Melanie Tourangeau
Communications Liaison
Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
867-863-5576

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

Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-633-7949