Current Press Releases

YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories – August 6, 2009 – New flexible and innovative programming is now available to maximize the profitability of the agriculture sector in the Northwest Territories. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the Honourable Robert McLeod announced the details of new NWT agricultural programs under the Growing Forward framework today. This announcement follows the signing of the Growing Forward bilateral and contribution agreements by the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories last month.

“All levels of government are expected to work together to drive Canadian agriculture and this agreement is making that happen,” said Minister Ritz. “Growing Forward delivers stable and bankable programs that work for the unique Northern agriculture industry. The agreement we signed in July marks the rollout of these essential programs in the Northwest Territories.”

“The Growing Forward agreement recognizes the importance of both the conventional and traditional food production sectors here in the North,” said Minister McLeod. “As the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, whose mandate also includes Agriculture, Agri-foods and the Traditional Economy here in the Northwest Territories, I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister Ritz for acknowledging these realities. By producing our own food here in the North we will diversify local economies, provide northerners with healthy, locally produced food choices and make a meaningful impact on cost of living.”

Growing Forward is a national agriculture framework to coordinate federal and provincial agriculture policy. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are delivering $1.3 billion for farm families over five years. This Agreement with the Northwest Territories will deliver $3.2 million for agriculture in the Territory.

Growing Forward programs are tailored with the flexibility to meet the Northwest Territories’ diverse regional requirements. The Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories have worked with harvesters every step of the way to develop the Growing Forward framework.

For a complete list of Growing Forward programs in the Northwest Territories, visit www.iti.gov.nt.ca/fursagriculturefisheries or http://www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-759-1059

Andrew Matthews
A/Communications Assistant
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-669-2302