Economic Action Plan Helps Improve Recreational Facilities In The North
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Ottawa, Ontario (May 11, 2009) – Upgrades and repairs to local recreational facilities in communities across Canada’s North will be made easier with the Government of Canada’s new Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program.The Honourable Leona Aglukkak, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, that the Northern portion of RInC is now open for business.
“Investing in Northern recreational facilities will help our government stimulate the economy, enhance local facilities such as community pools, gyms and arenas, and contribute to the health and quality of life of people in communities across the North,” said Minister Aglukkak. “The Recreational Infrastructure Program will help ensure that local families can continue to count on and use their local facilities for decades to come.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided $500 million across Canada over two years for RInC to support primarily the upgrading and renewal of community recreational facilities in communities. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) will deliver the Northern portion of RInC.
An initial amount of $175 million, representing roughly one-third of total funding available under RInC nationally, is allocated on a regional per capita basis. The territories’ share of that initial allocation is $567,000. Organizations are encouraged to apply for more funding that is available as part of the remaining national total of $325 million.
Under the RInC program, municipalities, First Nations, community organizations and other not-for-profit or private groups that have projects that can be completed by
March 31, 2011, are invited to apply for funding.
RInC’s objectives are to provide an immediate, targeted stimulus to the economy and help mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing construction activity related to recreational infrastructure. This program also encourages participation in physical activity and community building by upgrading and repairing recreational facilities.
This announcement reinforces the Government of Canada’s work to advance an integrated Northern Strategy that will exercise Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, protect the North’s environmental heritage, promote social and economic development and improve and devolve northern governance.
Frequently Asked Questions – Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program
For more information, please contact:
Minister’s Office
Nina Chiarelli
Canada Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
(819) 997-0002
