This is a joint news release between the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon.
Strong economies in the North rely on infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and public safety. Addressing priorities such as sovereignty, defense, infrastructure and environmental stewardship is key to safeguarding Canada’s Arctic interests while fostering a safe and sustainable future for Northerners.
Today, the Yukon’s Premier Ranj Pillai and Member of Parliament for the Yukon Dr. Brendan Hanley, on behalf of Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor Dan Vandal, announced a joint investment of more than $370,000 to explore the feasibility of creating a Canadian Institute for Arctic Security in the Yukon.
The Institute would aim to be a pan-territorial resource to develop a northern approach to security and its links to social and economic development. It also fulfils recommendations from the Yukon Arctic Security Council’s report, as well as shared visions outlined in Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.
Over the next 17 months, the Government of Yukon will lead a comprehensive study to analyze the Institute’s sustainability; how it would be governed and how it could collaborate with partners, Indigenous communities, government departments and other institutions.
Together, the governments of Canada and Yukon support initiatives that contribute to building northern innovation and capacity and foster economic opportunities across the Yukon and the North.
Our government is proud to lead the national conversation on Arctic security, ensuring the North's unique needs and priorities are front and centre. The creation of a Yukon centre of excellence in northern and arctic security would fulfill a key recommendation from the Yukon’s Arctic Security Advisory Council, and our government believes that exploring the creation of a Canadian Institute for Arctic Security is a key step toward building a safe, strong and prosperous North. We thank CanNor for supporting this initiative, which will generate vital knowledge to address security challenges and strengthen the North for the future.
Changes to the physical and geopolitical landscapes are creating new challenges in defence, critical infrastructure and supply chains. As part of the shared vision outlined in Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, our government is creating new opportunities to grow northern economies and improve the safety and security of Northerners, grounded in northern knowledge and priorities.
This study will bring together local and national stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the Yukon and the North. This work has the potential to enhance regional innovation ecosystems, physical and digital infrastructure and local and Indigenous economic development by unlocking new opportunities to build capacity in the territory.
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CanNor is contributing up to $300,000 for this project through its Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth) program.
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The Government of Yukon is providing $73,000.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Zachary Burke
Communications, Executive Council Office
867-332-7202
zachary.burke@yukon.ca
Kyle Allen
Director of Communications, Parliamentary Affairs and Issues Management
Office of the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister Responsible for PrairiesCan, and Minister Responsible for CanNor
kyle.allen@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
Leighann Chalykoff
Communications Advisor, Yukon Region
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
leighann.chalykoff@cannor.gc.ca