e-Bulletin, Issue 5 - June 2010

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News

National Aboriginal Day

As National Aboriginal Day approaches, we wish you happy, safe and successful events this June 21st. More information about National Aboriginal Day

Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Improve Drinking Water Quality in First Nation Communities

The Government of Canada is taking action to help ensure First Nations have safe, clean drinking water. On May 26th, Bill S-11, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was introduced in Parliament. At the same time, the Government of Canada announced a two year extension of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan. Read the News Release.

Nutrition North Canada

In Iqaluit on May 21st, Minister Strahl and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the North, announced Nutrition North Canada, a new northern food retail subsidy program that will replace the current Food Mail Program.  Nutrition North Canada will make healthy food more accessible and affordable to Canadians living in isolated Northern communities. Read the News Release. Read the Speech.

Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy Completed

Northern Voices, Northern Waters: The Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy  , a collaborative approach to responsible water stewardship, was released jointly on May 21st by INAC and the Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Read the News Release.

Government of Canada Reintroduces Legislation to Help First Nations Develop Commercial Real Estate on Reserves

On May 12th, the Government reintroduced the First Nations Certainty of Land Title Act, which would amend the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA) to permit the registration of on-reserve commercial real estate developments in a system that replicates the provincial land titles or registry system. Read the News Release. Read about FNCIDA.

Treaty Day at the Manitoba Legislative Assembly

On May 12th, Minister Strahl issued a statement on the occasion of Treaty Day at the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, stating that “the Government of Canada is proud to celebrate the treaties and their importance with all Manitobans.” Read the Statement.

Congratulations on the Anniversary of the Nisga'a Final Agreement

On May 11th, Minister Strahl extended his congratulations to the Nisga'a people on the 10th anniversary of the effective date of the Nisga'a Final Agreement. Read the News Release.

Government of Canada Launches an Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes

On May 3rd, Minister Strahl announced an Action Plan to improve northern regulatory regimes. The Budget committed $11 million to streamline the regulatory regimes in the North and $8 million to support community-based environmental monitoring. Read the News Release.

Saskatchewan First Nation Communities to Receive Sasktel High-Speed and Cellular Service

The Government of Canada announced on April 30th that 26 First Nations communities in Saskatchewan will be receiving access to high-speed internet and cellular telephone service over the next three years, thanks to a combined investment of more than $16.8 million by INAC and SaskTel. Read the News Release. Read the Speech.

Government of Canada Applauds Completion of Eight-Unit Housing  Development at Saugeen First Nation in Ontario

On April 29th, Minister Strahl announced the completion of construction of an innovative eight-unit housing development for Saugeen First Nation in Ontario. This project was made possible thanks to an investment of $1.17 million under Canada's Economic Action Plan. Read the News Release.

Government of Canada Supporting First Nations and Métis in Saskatchewan

On April 20th, the expansion of a program aimed at helping First Nation and Métis communities establish resource and energy businesses in Saskatchewan was announced, with a contribution of $3.7 million to Westcap Mgt. Ltd. Read the News Release. On April 21st, the Government announced a $5 million contribution to the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF) to establish the new Métis Energy and Resource Program. Read the News Release.

Reminder: Registration of Storage Tank Systems with Environment Canada

June 13th is the deadline for First Nations and third party owners to register applicable storage tank systems with Environment Canada to ensure continuous delivery of fuel as new Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations come into effect. For more information, consult Environment Canada's storage tank web site   or contact your INAC Regional Office.

Appointments

• Douglas George Phillips has been re-appointed as Yukon Administrator. Read the News Release.
• Mr. Jeff Walker has been appointed as an alternate member and Mr. Keith Hickling has been appointed as a member of the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board. Read the News Release.
• Chief Clarence Louie has been re-appointed as Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. Read the News Release.

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Regional Focus: Nunavut

In each issue of the e-Bulletin, a different region will be highlighted in the Regional Focus section.

Government of Canada Introduces Long Awaited Legislation to Strengthen Nunavut's Land Use Planning and Environmental Assessment

Minister Strahl introduced Bill C-25, the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, in the House of Commons on May 12th. Bill C-25 aims to ensure clarity, consistency and legal certainty with respect to land use planning and environmental assessment processes in Nunavut. This bill represents the first commitment flowing from the Action Plan to Improve the North's Regulatory Regimes. Read the News Release.

Update on Arctic Research Investments

Budget 2009 announced $85 million in new funding to invest in maintaining or upgrading key existing Arctic research facilities under the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund. Eight Nunavut-based projects received funding. This money is now in action and construction is in high gear.

Arctic Fisheries Research Vessel

In Iqaluit on May 20th, Minister Strahl announced $320,000 in funding from the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund towards the construction of a fisheries research vessel to be operated by the Government of Nunavut throughout Nunavut's ocean and near coastal waters over an entire Arctic marine season. This funding is in addition to more than $1.8M from Canada's Economic Action Plan and the Government of Nunavut. The vessel is scheduled to be ocean-ready by summer 2011. Read the News Release.

Nunavut Research Institute Expands to Meet Growing Demand

Upgrades to the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI)   in Iqaluit, Nunavut, are moving forward. On March 31st in Iqaluit, Minister Strahl announced $11 million in funding for NRI from the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund. Project managers are happy to report that the project is on time and on budget. The new and improved facility is scheduled to be completed in December.

Nunavut's Contaminated Sites Program

The Nunavut Regional Office's Contaminated Sites Program is gearing up for a very busy and exciting field season, with three of seven active major projects scheduled for completion in 2010, including:

• Cape Christian, a former United States Coast Guard long-range navigation site located on the east coast of Baffin Island;
• Robert's Bay and Ida Bay Silver Mine, a former exploration and mining site along the shore of Melville Sound; and
• Bear Island, a former Mid-Canada Line site located in Northern James Bay.

These projects target high levels of Aboriginal employment and subcontracting, and offer training programs to support skills development and employment levels within the communities closest to the sites. Read about the Northern Contaminated Sites Program.

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