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Ottawa announced millions for three Northern projects Tuesday as part of the rollout of a major infrastructure fund announced in last year’s federal budget.
Iqaluit, Hay River and Whitehorse all received federal support for key infrastructure from the Build Communities Strong Fund, which promises $51 billion for infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Iqaluit will get $108 million for a major expansion of water infrastructure. Tuesday’s announcement will fund utilidor improvements and trucked water services needed to add up to 2,500 new housing units in the Nunavut capital.
Kimberly Smith, Iqaluit’s deputy mayor, said the funding will dovetail with more than $200 million in emergency funding the federal government announced in 2022, in the wake of a months-long drinking water crisis in the city.
“As we’re upgrading the water systems, we’ll be simultaneously able to upgrade our sewer systems as well, as well as invest in more truck services for the growth of our city,” she said.
“So it will take a number of years, but [we’re] not spending it all this year.”
Meanwhile, Rebecca Alty, the federal minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, was in Hay River to announce $20 million for a new water treatment plant for the N.W.T. community.
The current treatment plant is about 50 years old, said the town’s senior administrative officer, Glenn Smith.
The new plant will serve not only the town, but also Enterprise, the Kátł’odeeche First Nation, and the Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation.
Smith said the new plant is still being designed. He hopes construction can begin next year, adding it would likely take three years to build the plant.
“So, at earliest, 2029,” said Smith.
Finally, Whitehorse will get $8.7 million for a five-kilometre paved bike path connecting Whistle Bend and the city’s downtown.
City council approved that project, with a total price tag of $12.5 million, last year.