Whitehorse, Yukon (June 18, 2009) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable Jim Kenyon, Yukon Minister of Economic Development, today announced funding of $293,970 for a new website that will enhance investment in the mining and minerals sectors in Yukon.

"The Government of Canada is committed to working with territorial governments, First Nations and Northerners to develop and support economic development initiatives that promote stronger, more sustainable economies and communities," said Minister Strahl. "This is a key component of our Northern Strategy."

“Establishing the Mining Yukon website will make gathering information about Yukon's many investment-ready opportunities much easier,” said Minister Kenyon. “We are pleased to support this initiative. The new website will be an excellent complement to Yukon's existing investment-attraction efforts and will enhance our ability to share information about our mineral resources and investment climate.”

The Targeted Investment Program (TIP), part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)'s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) initiative, contributed $243,970 to the project in 2008/09. The Yukon government contributed an additional $50,000. Yukon departments of Economic Development and Energy, Mines and Resources will use the funding to develop an innovative Internet portal that will complement current web-based information sources. Improved access to information will sharpen the focus of mining promotion in Yukon and consolidate a wealth of data to build awareness of opportunities for investment in Yukon's mining and minerals sector.

“Partnerships such as this innovative approach across levels of government facilitate economic development that is vital to a strong North,” added Yukon Senator Daniel Lang. ”The easy access to information via the Government of Yukon's website will assist all parties in identifying and promoting strategic economic development in the resource sector.”

The SINED initiative is a set of programs offered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The goal of this initiative is to promote the economic development of the North - strengthening territories' economies and generating important economic opportunities for Northerners.

This announcement reinforces the Government of Canada's work to advance an integrated Northern Strategy that will strengthen Canada's Arctic sovereignty, protect the North's environmental heritage, promote social and economic development, and improve and devolve northern governance.