New investment for Northwest Canadian biomass industry

A multi-year investment of over $5.7 million (€4.6 million) to create opportunities for the Canadian Northwest Territories sustainable wood biomass industry has been announced.

The money for the initiative is split between Government of Canada support of $3,746,000 from Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), plus $2 million from the Government of the Northwest Territories.

‘The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in Canada's North,’ says CanNor minister Leona Aglukkaq. ‘This project will create a new and sustainable industry in this territory and will generate jobs and business opportunities for First Nations communities. We are pleased to be working with our territorial partners as we invest in community economic development that promotes job creation and economic growth in the North.’

It is hoped this will allow Northwest Territory communities to have increased control over local forestry resources and therefore reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel as outlined in the Northwest Territories Biomass Strategy.