Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Establishing an Iqaluit office for the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines to support economic development in Canada's North

August 24, 2011
Baker Lake, Nunavut

The Government of Canada is committed to helping promote a stronger more dynamic economy for Northern families and businesses by enabling them to benefit from the abundant resources in the region.

In keeping with this objective, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is investing $230,000 over three years to support the establishment of an office in Iqaluit for the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

Nunavut has significant mining exploration and development potential and interest is growing every year. Establishing the Chamber of Mines office in Iqaluit will help serve the needs of the growing mining industry in the territory.

The Nunavut office will offer a variety of services to the mining industry and to Northerners. Responsibilities will include working with governments to create effective legislation regarding the mining and exploration industry and communicating opportunities and benefits of Nunavut's mining industry to the public and media. As well, the Chamber office will work with the Government of Nunavut and Arctic College to promote job opportunities in the mining sector to students. The Chamber will play a key role in organizing and expanding the annual Nunavut Mining Symposium, and will attend national industry trade shows to promote Nunavut's mining industry.

Created as a non-profit organization in 1967, the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines serves mineral exploration companies operating in both territories. The Chamber seeks to encourage, assist and stimulate prosperous, orderly and environmentally responsible development and growth of mining and mineral exploration. The organization has over 900 members representing exploration, mining, consulting, and service and supply companies and individuals.

The Government of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines are contributing $330,000 and $268 000 respectively to this initiative.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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