I was interested to read James Munson’s recent opinion piece “So what’s a Cannor anyway?” in the Yukon News and would like to clarify the role and work of the Canadian Economic Development Agency (Cannor).
The creation of Cannor is an example of our government’s commitment to the North and northerners, and a core element of the northern strategy which puts a focus on the North unlike ever before.
Not only is Cannor the first to have northern economic development as its exclusive focus, but it is also the first federal agency to be headquartered in the North.
Recently, Cannor invested in the development of curriculum to help Yukoners gain employment in the mining sector. It also invested in the design and construction of a new animal research and rehabilitation centre at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and it invested in a virtual tradeshow in Whitehorse to showcase Yukon business and investment opportunities to potential investors around the world.
These are just three tangible examples of what Cannor is doing to provide opportunities for northerners and northern businesses across the North.
When I was in Whitehorse in March, I heard directly from northerners of the value of the work being done by Cannor. Working with willing partners such as other governments, First Nations and businesses in Yukon will make important contributions to the territory’s economy just as similar partnerships are making a difference in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Chuck Strahl, minister of Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Indian and Northern Affairs and federal interlocutor for Metis and nonstatus Indians
Ottawa