Question Period Note: Budget 2021: Arctic and Northern Investments

• Through Budget 2021, our Government is making critical investments needed to ensure that Canada’s Arctic and northern communities remain vibrant and resilient.

• As we have moved forward with implementation of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, we have heard clearly from our co-development partners what challenges persist and their priorities for action.

• New investments reflect those priorities and seek to address a number of persistent issues, including food security, housing, climate mitigation and adaptation, the infrastructure gap, and access to post-secondary education, among others.

N/A

If pressed on NAO Budget 2021 investments (86 words)

• Budget 2021 included a total of $286 million targeted investments to Northern Affairs for implementation of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework:

o $163.4 million to expand the Nutrition North Program;
o $8 million to support Aurora College’s transition to a polytechnic university;
o $50 million in infrastructure investments towards housing in the Northwest Territories ($25 million) and Nunavut ($25 million);
o $40.4 million to support the planning of hydroelectricity and grid interconnection projects; and
o $25 million to support Yukon’s with its climate change priorities.
If pressed on whole-of-government Budget 2021 investments (86 words)
• Given the unique challenges in the region, our ability to make meaningful progress for Arctic and northern communities requires a whole-of-government approach.

• In this Budget, substantial northern investments were made across federal portfolios, including to implement the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework:

o food security, health and wellness;
o early learning and child care;
o critical infrastructure including clean energy, housing, transportation, and broadband;
o Northern post-secondary education;
o scientific research and mapping;
o Northern travel costs; and
o capacity and resources for marine and safety.