WHITEHORSE, YUKON--(Marketwire - March 26, 2010) - TheCanadian Northern Economic Development Agency is strengthening theYukon mining industry by supporting the development and modification ofmining training programs and investing in a mine equipment simulator.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the CanadianNorthern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), made the announcementtoday.
CanNor will provide a total of $2,250,000 in investments tothe Yukon Mining Training Association (YMTA). From this funding,$1,500,000 will be used to purchase and install a portable mineequipment simulator. An additional $750,000 in funding will be used tosupport curriculum development of the YMTA's Yukon Mine TrainingProgram. These two projects will benefit local residents andencourage skills development in meeting the short and long term labourneeds of the territory's mining industry.
"These investments will ensure Yukon has a skilled,well-trained, successful labour force able to meet the needs of theYukon mining industry," said Minister Strahl who is also Minister ofIndian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor forMétis and Non-Status Indians. "These projects are concrete examples ofour Government's commitment to competitiveness and economic growth inthe North."
"Yukoners require modern equipment and targeted investmentsto ensure a diversified and skilled workforce," said the HonourableLeona Aglukkaq, who is the Minister Responsible for the North andMinister of Health. "Today's investment will go a long way to ensurethat Yukon continues to have a strong mining sector."
"With these funds the Yukon Mine Training Association candevelop, purchase and modify curriculum to suit Yukon industry andcommunity needs and allow for local delivery of training programs thatare Yukon-specific. Additionally, the purchase of mine trainingsimulators will allow us to train Yukoners in the Yukon for YukonProjects. These programs will be an invaluable addition to the Yukon'sexisting programming and will help us meet our current and future labourmarket demands by developing our local workforce," said Tracy Thomas,Executive Director, YMTA.
These projects are funded through the Community AdjustmentFund (CAF), as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The fund willprovide $32.8 million to the three territories from 2009 through 2011.
The CAF is one of a suite of economic development programsthat fall under the mandate of CanNor. CanNor is responsible forcoordinating and delivering federal economic development activities inthe territories, and for related policy development, research andadvocacy.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: andfor more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: www.northernstrategy.ca/index-eng.asp.