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Manitoba Government News Release:
Information Services, Room 29, Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 Telephone: (204)
945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988

January 21, 1998

KIVALLIQ TRADE MISSION

DESCRIBED AS A SUCCESS

A trade mission to Manitoba by business and community leaders from the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut proved successful in building new partnerships, said Manitoba Rural Development Minister Len Derkach and Manitok Thompson, minister of municipal and community affairs, Government of the Northwest Territories.

The two ministers announced that a number of business arrangements have been concluded and positive discussions are continuing on several other fronts. The trade mission started Monday and concluded today.

"Manitoba has enjoyed a business and community relationship with the Kivalliq Region for some time," said Derkach. "The visit to Manitoba by Kivalliq leaders has helped us to identify some of their needs and how we can best work together to build and strengthen our existing relationships."

"This Kivalliq Trade Mission to Manitoba has provided our delegates with an excellent opportunity to network with Manitoba government and business and help build stronger relationships and new partnerships between Kivalliq and Manitoba," said Thompson. "Through this trade mission and through continued efforts between Nunavut and Manitoba, we have shown that this can be an equal partnership where both parties can benefit."

Manitoba hosted the five-day Kivalliq (Keewatin) Trade Mission to continue to build and strengthen economic ties with communities in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. A total of 80 delegates travelled to Manitoba to discuss opportunities in tourism, arts and crafts, food,construction/manufacturing, energy/transportation and community services/retail/ training/health. In addition, delegates have toured plants and visited a number of rural communities, including Steinbach, Stonewall and Portage la Prairie.

Highlights of the trade mission:

Several Manitoba businesses have discussed opportunities to undertake investments and partnerships in a number of Kivalliq communities. They include Arctic Beverages of Flin Flon, the Canadian College of Taxidermy of McCreary, the Winnipeg Fur Exchange and Acklands- Grainger, an industrial supplier to the heavy construction and mining industries.

To help further northern economic development, the Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie will send staff to the communities of Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour in the next few weeks to discuss a food feasibility study for processing northern foods such as caribou, scallops and kelp.

A number of opportunities for youth will be pursued, including a northern Junior Achievement project and bringing a team of northern youth to Rural Forum ’99.

A number of opportunities have been identified to improve the information flow between Manitoba and the Kivalliq Region, including exchanging telephone directories, and looking at developing a joint web site and newsletter.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Churchill, OMNITRAX and the Winnipeg Airport Authority to promote Churchill as the supply port to Nunavut.

Kivalliq leaders are also discussing the possibility of establishing a Kivalliq arts and crafts sales office in Winnipeg.

A commemorative birth record and companion card was also unveiled today which acknowledges the fact that many residents in the Northwest Territories were born in Manitoba. The first three recipients to receive their birth records are Moses Kayuryuk, Ron Appak Alikashuak and Stanley Adjuk. Northwest Territories residents who were born in Manitoba can apply for their birth records through Manitoba Vital Statistics. In future, birth records will be issued along with birth certificates.

"The Kivalliq Trade Mission is a continuation of the ongoing efforts by both Manitoba and the Northwest Territories to build and strengthen relations," said Derkach. "Manitoba will reciprocate with a trade mission to the new Territory of Nunavut in the early spring of 1999."

A memorandum of understanding on co-operation and development signed between the two governments in 1996 continues to serve as the foundation for ongoing efforts.

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