Governments Work Together to Provide Cleaner Drinking Water to Yukon Families

Whitehorse, Yukon, April 6, 2009 — Canada’s Minister of Health, The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, together with the Honourable Archie Lang, Minister of Community Services in Yukon, today announced that their governments will work together to upgrade and improve water treatment systems in Yukon.“The Government of Canada understands the need for quality public infrastructure to build healthy communities and to create jobs for Northerners,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “These water treatment initiatives are great examples of the many ways we’re keeping Northerners working and our communities healthy and vibrant.”

Families in Ross River, Carcross, Marsh Lake, Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the Village of Haines Junction, and the Village of Teslin will soon benefit from new water treatment initiatives that will meet their needs now and for years to come.

“It is a priority of the Government of Yukon to ensure that Yukoners have access to safe and sustainable drinking water resources for the future,” said Minister Lang. “We are pleased to be able to provide for key infrastructure upgrades in Yukon communities with the significant investment Canada is making for our territory under the Building Canada plan.”

These upgrades will happen over the next two years at a total cost of approximately $10 million. This money is part of the $182.9 million Yukon will receive from 2007 to 2014 under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, which is part of the Building Canada plan. The funding will address Yukon-wide infrastructure priority initiatives to help drive economic growth and productivity, and build strong, sustainable communities.

For further information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or visit
www.infrastructure.gov.yk.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Roxanne Vallevand
Senior Communications Advisor
Cabinet Office
Government of Yukon
867-633-7949

>> Backgrounder