Canadian government providing nearly $130M to help Arctic territories during pandemic
The federal government says it’s providing $129.9 million specifically for Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to not only help with the health-care system’s response to COVID-19, but to provide financial support for northern airlines and other businesses.
In a news release Tuesday, the federal government said $72.6 million of that money will go toward preparation and response in the health and social services departments in all three territories, with $18.4 million for Yukon, $30.8 million for Nunavut and $23.4 million for the N.W.T.
The government says it’s also providing up to $17.3 million for northern airlines to ensure those companies can continue to fly essential goods like food and medical supplies into remote communities.
“No Canadian should ever have to worry about where to get their food or how to receive essential health care services,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is quoted as saying in the release.
In this category, Yukon will receive up to $3.6 million for air services, Nunavut will receive up to $5 million and the N.W.T. will receive up to $8.7 million.
Additional money for businesses, Nutrition North
The federal government says the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency is also providing $15 million in “non-repayable support” for businesses in the territories that have been affected by COVID-19, but don’t qualify for the federal financial support already made available.
The federal government also plans to put an additional $25 million into Nutrition North Canada, a federal subsidy program for food in remote northern communities, to further ensure families can afford food and hygiene products.
Watch: Trudeau announces new funding for territories amid COVID-19 pandemic
Related stories from around the North:
Arctic: Roundup of COVID-19 responses around the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Canada: COVID-19 shouldn’t overshadow ongoing fight against TB, Canadian Inuit leaders say, CBC News
Finland: Visits to commercial establishments down sharply in Finnish Lapland, Google data, Yle News
Greenland: COVID-19: Arctic science expedition postpones flight campaign after trainee tests positive for virus, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norwegian Arctic wilderness tourism hit particularly hard by coronavirus, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Moscow disinforms about coronavirus, says press freedom organization, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Why are Sweden’s politicians taking a different tack for coronavirus?, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska’s largest rural airline RavnAir could be forced to shut down for good, court docs say, Alaska Public Media
