CanNor marks 15 years of supporting innovation, sustainability and diversified economies across the North

Statement by the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister of PrairiesCan and CanNor

Statement by the Honourable Dan Vandal on the 15th anniversary of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

On August 18th, 2024, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) celebrated its first 15 years of supporting innovation, sustainability, and diversified economic growth across the North.

Since its creation in 2009, CanNor has worked directly with Northerners, Indigenous Peoples, communities, businesses and organizations, all levels of government and other federal departments to strengthen and diversify the economies of the three territories. Headquartered in Iqaluit, Nunavut, CanNor's mission is about building strong territorial economies, increasing the prosperity of the North and contributing to Canada's success as a whole.

During my extensive travels to all three territories, I've seen firsthand the impact that CanNor has on the communities it serves. Over the past 15 years, CanNor invested over $650 million towards more than 2,000 projects for non-profits, Indigenous organizations, other levels of government, businesses, and economic development corporations.

Since 2016, CanNor has supported Canada's work to facilitate Inuit representation in Nunavut through Pilimmaksaivik—the Federal Centre of Excellence for Inuit Employment in Nunavut. This program has helped increase access to employment for Inuit in the federal government in Nunavut by reducing barriers, increasing recruitment and improving retention.

Since 2010, CanNor's Northern Project Management Office (NMPO) has supported sustainable and responsible infrastructure and resource development in the territories. NPMO brings together federal departments, businesses and other levels of government to navigate environmental assessment and regulatory review processes. NMPO has collaborated with more than 135 projects and organized 48 Resource Development Agency Advisory Group meetings.

CanNor remains committed to responding to the unique economic opportunities and challenges of the North to support vibrant and thriving communities across the territories for the next 15 years and beyond. It's an honour to be the Minister responsible for CanNor, and I thank every employee, past and present, for their tireless work in creating more economic opportunities for Northerners.

For the past 15 years, CanNor has worked in the three territories to support a sustainable, diversified and innovative economy in collaboration with Northerners, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, organizations, other federal departments and other levels of government.

On August 18, 2009, CanNor was created with its head office in Iqaluit, Nunavut and regional offices in Yellowknife, NWT and Whitehorse, Yukon.

Since 2009, CanNor has approved over $650 million in investments towards more than 2,000 projects through its suite of targeted funding programs for non-profits, Indigenous organizations, other levels of government, businesses, and economic development corporations.

More than half of the funding approved has been to Indigenous owned/led or majority owned/led entities or projects. This is a recognition of the pivotal role Indigenous organizations and businesses have in the territories.

CanNor has expanded its responsibilities since its creation. Since 2010 the Agency has housed the Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO), which helps guide and convene federal departments, businesses and other levels of government to promote responsible and sustainable infrastructure and resource development in the North.

NPMO has collaborated with 135 projects and companies and organized 48 Resource Development Advisory Group meetings. Since 2016, NPMO has reported over 1,000 interactions with partners and facilitated 53 environmental assessments.

Since 2016, CanNor has supported the Government of Canada's obligations for Inuit employment under the Nunavut Agreement through Pilimmaksaivik – the Federal Centre of Excellence for Inuit Employment in Nunavut. The Centre supports the implementation of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement by coordinating a government-wide approach to increase Inuit employment in Government of Canada positions in Nunavut.

As of 2023, Inuit representation had risen to 49%, reflecting significant progress but still short of the target of 84.7% (representative level of Inuit population demographic in the Nunavut Settlement Area). This increase is a marked improvement from the past, demonstrating ongoing efforts to meet the goal set out in the Nunavut Agreement.

As CanNor looks ahead to the future, the Agency's mission continues to be about building strong territorial economies that leave no one behind, expanding the reach of northern businesses to southern markets and abroad, increasing the prosperity of the North and the Arctic, and contributing to Canada's success as a whole.

Milestones in CanNor's development

2008

The 2008 Speech from the Throne committed to establishing Canada's first stand-alone Agency dedicated to economic development in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

August 18, 2009

The Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the establishment of its headquarters in Iqaluit.

2009 – present

Throughout the years, CanNor has invested more than $650 million into the northern economy through its suite of funding programs.

CanNor distributed $32.1 million in funding to northern communities following the 2008 economic crisis.

2010 – 2011

In its first full fiscal year, CanNor established its operational foundations, delivered on key commitments, and set the stage for the Agency's future efforts. Regional offices were up and running in all three territorial capitals.

May 2010

The Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) opened with its main office in Yellowknife and regional representation in all three territories.

2011

Between 2011-2023, CanNor invested $51.8 million into the Northern Adult Basic Education Program, designed to help Northerners receive targeted training and take advantage of job opportunities.

2012 – 2013

NPMO launched the Community Readiness Initiative to help communities plan and prepare for major resource development projects before those projects went through the regulatory process.

2014 – 2015

The Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program is introduced to increase the participation of northern Indigenous communities and businesses in economic opportunities.

2015 – 2018

For Canada 150, CanNor provided $12.5 million for infrastructure projects and $2.4 million for tourism projects.

CanNor supports resource development through initiatives, such as the Community Readiness Initiative, the Strategic Partnership Initiative and the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining.

May 9, 2016

Pilimmaksaivik, the Federal Centre of Excellence for Inuit Employment in Nunavut, was established in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The Centre supports the implementation of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement by coordinating a government-wide approach to increase Inuit employment in Government of Canada positions in Nunavut.

2017 – 2019

CanNor heads a delegation for the Arctic Council's Task Force for Improved Connectivity in the Arctic.

2019

Programs, such as the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation, are introduced to support business innovation and diversification.

2019

The Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy became CanNor's roadmap to strong and inclusive economies across the three territories. This strategy has four interrelated areas of action:

• Skilled workforce
• Infrastructure investments and development
• Resource development
• Diversification and innovation

2020 – 2023

CanNor provided more than $80 million in COVID-19 relief funding throughout the North.

2021 – 2024

The Northern Food Innovation Challenge supported innovative, community-led projects for local and Indigenous food production systems to help improve food security in all three territories.

April 1, 2023

The second generation of the Whole-of-Government Inuit Employment Plan is established to run from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2033.

August 18, 2024

CanNor celebrates its 15th anniversary.