Yukon College hosts Prime Minister; new research program announced

August 21, 2014

WHITEHORSE-Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Yukon College today as part of his ninth annual northern tour.

Harper received a tour of the Cold Climate Innovation testing area which includes a year-round greenhouse and huts which test the insulation value of experimental building materials - practical research which is supported by the National Research Council (NRC) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The Prime Minister announced the launch of a new National Research Council Arctic Program. As part of the program, the NRC will enter into research partnerships which focus on technology aimed at improving the lives of Northerners and advancing Northern economic development.

“The Government of Canada is committed to harnessing science, technology and research to further develop Canada’s North and improve the lives of Northerners. The new National Research Council Arctic Program will help improve housing, transport and resource development,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Yukon College President Dr. Karen Barnes presented the Prime Minister with a plaque thanking him for the significant federal investment the College has received over the past four years. The plaque will hang on the wall of the Ayamdigut campus building.

“The Government of Canada, through its investments, is improving the lives of the people in the Yukon through increased opportunities in education and training, and through northern focused research,” said Dr. Barnes.

Government of Canada investment in Yukon College includes $500,000 toward the NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Mine Life Cycles, over $2 million in various applied research project grants, $5.6 million toward the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining, close to $1 million toward equipment and curriculum development for a new Geological Technology program, and $4.2 million toward Northern Adult Basic Education programming and curriculum development.

The Prime Minister was joined at the announcement by Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), James Moore, Minister of Industry, Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, Daniel Lang, Senator for Yukon, and Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon.