RESPONSE OVERWHELMING TO NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Released on July 11, 2003

A call for proposals under the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA) has drawn an overwhelming response from northerners.

The Northern Development Board Corporation (NDB) received 62 Statements of Intent (SOI) requesting $53.1 million for project funding. That amount far exceeds the $20 million available over five years through the NDA. The deadline for SOIs to be submitted was June 13th, 2003. The SOIs have gone through an initial screening process and 41 full project proposals are being requested for submission by July 25th, 2003.

The five-year agreement — funded with $10 million from both the federal and provincial governments — provides opportunities for northerners in five strategic priority areas including economic infrastructure, innovation, realizing employment opportunities, capacity building and investment attraction.

"It is clear that northerners and northern organizations have many ideas of how they can help their region and communities be sustainable," Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development) Stephen Owen said. "The Government of Canada is committed to partnering in locally-driven community projects that promote development and sustainability."

Once the 41 project proposals are received, they will be evaluated by the NDA tripartite management committee and only selected proposals will be considered for funding under the agreement.

"The process in selecting projects under the Northern Development Agreement is showing the voice of northerners is growing in finding northern solutions for northern needs," Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said.

"It is evident, given the significant response, that northerners are ready and motivated for change," Northern Development Board Corporation CEO Dean Desjarlais said. "With the financial constraints, the challenge is now on the Tripartite Management Committee to select projects that have the greatest, widest and sustaining impact."

The NDA tripartite committee consists of representatives from the federal and provincial governments and the NDB Corporation. The NDB Corporation includes representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North), together with Athabasca First Nation Chiefs.

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For More Information, Contact:

Dean Desjarlais CEO Northern Development Board La Ronge Phone: (306)425-2444 Email: ceo.ndbc@sasktel.net]

John Charlton Northern Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-5061 Email: jcharlton@sna.gov.sk.ca