For Canada’s 150th, Ottawa sprinkles some dollars on the North

In this famous portrait, the Fathers of Confederation are depicted at an 1864 conference in Quebec City that led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the federal government is doling out $150 million to municipal and quasi-municipal governments across Canada. (PUBLIC DOMAIN IMAGE)

The three northern territories will get a few bucks between now and 2017 for infrastructure projects aimed at helping celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the handout scheme this past May 15.

Under it, Ottawa will spend $150 million across the country over two years on improvements to community infrastructure. The money will flow through the federal government’s network of regional economic development agencies.

The three northern territories will get $6.4 million, also over two years.

And the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will receive applications and decide who gets funded.

To be eligible, a project must involve the “rehabilitation, renovation and expansion of existing community infrastructure that is non-commercial in nature and provides public benefits,” a federal government backgrounder document said.

In the northern territories, the following entities are eligible to apply:

• a municipal or regional government;

• a band council or Aboriginal government established by land claim agreement or self-government agreement;

• an incorporated not-for-profit organization;

• a territorial entity that provides municipal-style infrastructure services; or

• a public sector body that is wholly owned by a territorial, municipal or regional government.

Applications opened this past May 15. CanNor will start doling out the cash after April 1, 2016.