YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES -- (Marketwire) -- 07/26/12 -- Today the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, Northwest Territories Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, announced a multi-year investment of over $5.7 million to create opportunities for a sustainable wood biomass industry in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

"The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in Canada's North," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This project will create a new and sustainable industry in the NWT and will generate jobs and business opportunities for First Nations communities. We are pleased to be working with our territorial partners as we invest in community economic development that promotes job creation and economic growth in the North."

"This funding will support our efforts to complete forest inventories and sustainability analyses for broad forest areas so First Nations and communities can benefit from the strategic development of biomass energy and forest resource development opportunities in the NWT," said Minister Miltenberger.

This community-led initiative is receiving Government of Canada support of $3,746,000 from CanNor, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and $2 million from the Government of the Northwest Territories. The funding will be used to create a sustainable industry, generate long-term jobs, and reduce energy costs in communities. This will enable NWT communities to have increased control over local forestry resources and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel as outlined in the Northwest Territories Biomass Strategy.

Funding for this project is made through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, AANDC's Canada's Strategic Partnership Initiative and NRCan's Aboriginal Forestry Initiative. The initiative is a demonstration of the Government of Canada's new Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. Territorial funding is provided as part of the implementation of the NWT Biomass Energy Strategy.

For copies of CanNor news releases, visit: http://www.cannor.gc.ca.

For more information on the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, visit: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100033498.