Strahl says money will help in adapting to climate change

The Conservative government is pouring almost $27.4 million into Nunavut-based research projects, including a badly-needed new home for the Nunavut Research Institute.

Chuck Strahl, the Indian and Northern Affairs minister and Leona Aglukkaq, the federal health minister and Nunavut's MP announced six major research projects for the territory this past Tuesday.

Both ministers said the research money will help Nunavut adapt to climate change, while offering job opportunities to Inuit.

"You know all too well the impact these [climate] changes are having on Arctic communities," Strahl said.

Aglukkaq said Gjoa Haven and Iqaluit, the two Nunavut communities she spends the most time in, are "susceptible to the stresses of climate change."

The chosen projects are:

• $11 million for a new building to house the Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit;
• $11 million for an expansion of the Polar Continental Shelf Project facility at Resolute Bay;
• $1.8 million for renovations and upgrades of the Polar Environmental Atmospheric Research Laboratory at Eureka;
• $1.2 million for improvements to three research stations within Ellesmere Island's Quttinirpaaq National Park;
• $500,000 to upgrade polar bear research cabins near Gjoa Haven.

Mary Ellen Thomas, senior research officer with NRI said the upgrade of the institute current offices is badly needed. Tuesday's announcement will help build research infrastructure ahead of the establishment of a High Arctic research station in Nunavut some time next year, she said.

Thomas said she couldn't reveal many details about the new building until next month because the architects must sign off on the final design. Detailed plans would be ready in about a month, she said.

But Thomas did say the new building will house a library of technical and scientific documents.

In Yellowknife this past Monday, Strahl announced 14 other Northern projects that will get a share of more than $85 million in research funds.

Three of those projects have Nunavut connections: the Arctic Migratory Bird Research network, Laval University's Centre d'etudes nordiques, and upgrades to radiation monitoring stations in Iqaluit, Resolute Bay and Alert.