Question Period Note: Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and Northern Investments

• We launched the Framework with territorial, Indigenous and provincial partners in 2019.

• The 2022 Leadership Committee meeting in Yellowknife allowed Northern Affairs to hear directly from partners on their priorities, including mental health and addictions, infrastructure, clean energy, climate change, and education. We will continue to invest in these areas, to support northern economies and social and political self-determination.

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If pressed on Budget 2022: Arctic and Northern Investments

• Through Budget 2022, our Government is making investments needed to ensure that Canada’s Arctic and northern communities are safe and resilient.

• We have heard clearly from northern partners regarding the challenges that persist and their priorities for action; these include, among other things, infrastructure, economic development, and housing.

• New investments reflect those priorities and seek to address a number of issues, including reconciliation and climate change, among others.

If pressed on CIRNAC Budget 2022 Investments

• Budget 2022 included over $267 million targeted investments to CIRNAC:

o $150 million to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the Northern territories.
o $32.2 million supporting the Atlin Hydro Expansion project to provide clean electricity to the Yukon.
o $14.5 million ($2.5 million ongoing) to support the completion and operations of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.
o $25.8 million to the Government of Yukon and Government of the Northwest Territories towards the 1993 Accord and $2.5 million to Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to implement the new Western Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Accord.
o $2 million towards a Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement respecting the historical impacts of the operation of Giant Mine on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
o $40 million to support northern regulatory processes as part of the Critical Minerals Strategy.
o $29.6 million to support the co-development of an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda.