2021 Ministerial Transition Booklet
Table of contents
CanNor's President
Paula Isaak became president of CanNor on October 9, 2018.
Throughout her 30 year public service career, Paula has worked on Northern and Indigenous issues. She began her career in Ottawa but soon developed a strong interest in "on-the-ground" regional issues that took her to postings in a variety of places from coast to coast to coast.
Paula developed a number of areas of expertise including negotiations on Indigenous land claims in the Yukon and NWT; policy and program development for economic development, intergovernmental affairs, natural resources, and environmental management; and education and social issues. She led teams at all levels on complex, high-profile issues from negotiating legislation with Indigenous organizations to designing the MMIWG Inquiry. She has lived and worked in the North for decades. Prior to being appointed as President of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, she was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships at Indigenous Services Canada.
In addition to (and separately from) her role as President of CanNor, Paula serves as Associate Deputy Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
Paula has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Manitoba and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.
CanNor Vision
A strong, diversified, sustainable, and dynamic economy for Northerners and Indigenous peoples, communities, and businesses across Canada's territories, guided by the Agency's Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy and in contribution toward Canada's prosperity.
Overview
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) address key economic challenges within their respective regions through tailored programs and services while supporting the Government of Canada with regional knowledge and expertise.
Text alternative for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
| Region | Name of Regional Development Agency |
|---|---|
| Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) | Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) |
| British Columbia | Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) |
| Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) | Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) |
| Northern Ontario | Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) |
| Southern Ontario | Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) |
| Quebec | Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) |
| Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia) | Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) |
CanNor fosters economic development in Canada's territories by:
- delivering a suite of economic development programs, including Indigenous-specific programs
- building partnerships that leverage investments
- coordinating federal participation in territorial environmental review processes through the Northern Projects Management Office
- maintaining a Crown consultation record for major projects
- funding skills development opportunities
- championing the interests of Northerners and Indigenous peoples
Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy
CanNor's objectives are guided by its Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy, which highlights four interrelated areas of action:
Skilled Workforce
Strengthen the northern workforce and equip Northerners with the tools, skills, and experience they need to succeed in the workforce, now and into the future.
Infrastructure Investments and Development
Leverage upcoming investments and the ongoing operation of major infrastructure projects to maximize local and regional economic opportunities.
Resource Development
Support the sustainable development of the mining and energy sectors throughout the development cycle, in a manner which increases community capacity, maximizes jobs and wealth within the territories, and produces positive economic impacts in communities.
Diversification and Innovation
Foster the sustainable growth of other economic sectors with a focus on strengthened entrepreneurship and northern innovation.
Territorial overview
Nunavut
| Estimated Total Population (2021) | 39,536 |
|---|---|
| Median Age of Population (2016) | 25.1 |
| % Indigenous Population (2016) | 86% |
| Nunavut | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| Labour Force Participation Rate | 50.9% | 65.0% |
| Employment Rate | 47.9% | 59.9% |
| Source: Statistics Canada – Table 14-10-0292-01 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada – Table 36-10-0402-01
Text alternative for Sectoral breakdown (2020)
| Sector | Percentage of Territorial GDP |
|---|---|
| Public Sector | 29% |
| Extractive Industries | 33% |
| Construction | 13% |
| Real Estate, Rental & Leasing | 9% |
| Arts, Information & Culture | 2% |
| Retail Trade | 3% |
| Other | 11% |
Challenges
- Limited infrastructure incl. housing, roads, broadband
- High unemployment; skills gap
Opportunities
- Strength of mining sector will bring economic growth
- Young population has potential to meet labour force needs
Northwest Territories
| Estimated Total Population (2021) | 44,991 |
|---|---|
| Median Age of Population (2016) | 34 |
| % Indigenous Population (2016) | 51% |
| Northwest Territories | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.8% |
| Labour Force Participation Rate | 73.5% | 65.0% |
| Employment Rate | 70.2% | 59.9% |
| Source: Statistics Canada – Table 14-10-0292-01 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada – Table 36-10-0402-01
Text alternative for Sectoral breakdown (2020)
| Sector | Percentage of Territorial GDP |
|---|---|
| Public Sector | 31% |
| Extractive Industries | 24% |
| Construction | 9% |
| Real Estate, Rental & Leasing | 11% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 3% |
| Retail Trade | 4% |
| Arts, Information & Culture | 3% |
| Accommodation & Food Services | 2% |
| Other | 13% |
Challenges
- Long-term economic outlook slumping due to aging out of existing mines
- Outmigration of skilled labour
- Population aging in medium-term
Opportunities
- New infrastructure (e.g., roads, power) can spur new economic development projects
- Opportunities exist in critical minerals, remediation economy
Yukon
| Estimated Total Population (2021) | 42,596 |
|---|---|
| Median Age of Population (2016) | 39.5 |
| % Indigenous Population (2016) | 23% |
| Yukon | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.8% |
| Labour Force Participation Rate | 70.3% | 65.0% |
| Employment Rate | 66.1% | 59.9% |
| Source: Statistics Canada – Table 14-10-0292-01 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada – Table 36-10-0402-01
Text alternative for Sectoral breakdown (2020)
| Sector | Percentage of Territorial GDP |
|---|---|
| Public Sector | 36% |
| Extractive Industries | 10% |
| Construction | 11% |
| Real Estate, Rental & Leasing | 15% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2% |
| Accommodation & Food Services | 2% |
| Retail Trade | 5% |
| Arts, Information & Culture | 4% |
| Other | 15% |
Challenges
- Very tight labour market in part due to housing shortage
- Limited access to capital markets compared to urban centres
- Population aging in medium-term
Opportunities
- New mines on the horizon
- Growing innovation ecosystem; newly-minted Yukon University
- Well-developed roads, infrastructure relative to NT and NU
Key partners
CanNor works with a number of partners and stakeholders in the territories, including territorial governments, other federal departments, Indigenous governments and organizations, communities, and industry.
Territorial governments
CanNor works with key departments of territorial governments in support of economic development. Territorial priorities inform the design of CanNor's programming as well as its advocacy work across the federal government. CanNor and territorial governments also work to align programming, identifying and addressing gaps. For example, CanNor and the Government of Yukon coordinated a joint delivery model for COVID-19 relief funding within the territory.
Territorial Indigenous organizations
The North is distinct from most other regions in the country given the significant role played by Indigenous businesses in the economy, particularly Indigenous Economic Development Corporations, which are some of the largest businesses headquartered in the territories. These corporations are part of a growing number of community enterprises in the North, pursuing both economic and social gains.
Federal partners
There are 25 federal departments and agencies that provide programs, funding and policy development in the North. CanNor collaborates with other government departments to capitalize on the North's immense opportunities and fuel economic growth.
Industry
The private sector is a key partner in the North, investing in businesses, infrastructure, employment, and training; it is also a source of research, development, and cold-climate innovation.
Key programs
CanNor provides financial support to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), communities, territorial and Indigenous governments, and organizations through both non-repayable and repayable contributions and grants.
CanNor-specific programming
Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth)
$18.2M* per year ongoing; $60M* over five years. IDEANorth promotes economic diversification and growth through four streams:
- Foundational investments to advance economic growth and sector development.
- Business scale-up, productivity, and support to business research and development.
- Small-scale economic infrastructure development.
- Advancing foundational economic infrastructure.
Northern Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Program (NAEOP)
Supports development for Indigenous communities and businesses. $10.8M* per year ongoing, through two streams:
- The Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning (CROP) fund, which improves the economic development capacity of Indigenous communities.
- The Entrepreneurship and Business Development (EBD) fund, which assists Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses through project-based support.
Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund (NICI)
Supports community-led projects for local and Indigenous food production. $12.5M* over five years.
Northern Adult Basic Education Program (NABEP)
Enhances literacy and workplace skills through programs delivered by post-secondary educational institutions. $4.5M* per year.
M = million.
* Grants and Contributions funding amounts only.
Temporary supports during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Northern Business Relief Fund (NBRF) and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provided direct support of approximately $31.4M* to territorial SMEs during the pandemic. These funds reimbursed fixed costs for businesses that were forced to reduce operations due to public health measures. Additionally, NBRF and RRRF provided approximately $11.8M* in indirect support through Community Futures networks.
M = million.
* Grants and Contributions funding amounts only.
National programs delivered by RDAs
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI): $2.1M* over five years. Supports the development of regional innovation eco systems and business scale-up.
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES): $2.8M* over five years. Supports women-led businesses.
Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF): $20.2M*over three years to transition toward a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, and enhancing competitiveness.
Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF): $15.1M*over two years to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF): $6M*over two years to help local tourism businesses adapt their products and services to public health measures, support their recovery, and position them for growth.
M = million.
* Grants and Contributions funding amounts only.
Key services
Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO)
NPMO was established in 2010 to improve the efficiency of the federal environmental review process for proposed resource development and infrastructure projects in the territories.
NPMO's functions include:
- coordinating federal departments' participation in all of the environmental assessment processes of major projects in the North;
- providing issues management in relation to environmental assessments for Indigenous organizations and industry proponents; and
- overseeing and coordinating Crown consultations in relation to major projects
Policy and Advocacy
CanNor provides strategic and program policy advice with regard to economic development, diversification, and opportunities in the North. It also champions the economic interests of the North within and outside government.
CanNor's policy development is informed by sectoral research and analysis, close working relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and other departments, and CanNor's own work in the North.
Pilimmaksaivik
CanNor hosts Pilimmaksaivik, the Federal Centre of Excellence for Inuit Employment in Nunavut. Pilimmaksaivik is an Inuktitut term chosen by federal Inuit employees, meaning 'a place to develop skills through observations, mentoring, practice, and effort.'
Pilimmaksaivik is responsible for coordinating a whole of government approach to building a representative federal public service in Nunavut, as described under Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement. Article 23 commits to the employment of Inuit within Nunavut at a level commensurate with their demographic representation (i.e., approximately 85%).
Pilimmaksaivik works toward this by reducing barriers for recruitment, designing and delivering cultural competency training, and coordinating workplace wellness activities.
Specific Pilimmaksaivik initiatives include:
- the Inuit Learning and Development Program, a pre-employment and job training initiative aimed at helping Nunavut Inuit develop skills for potential jobs in the federal public service within the territory;
- an Education Support Fund, which provides financial support to Inuit employees across federal departments pursuing post-secondary studies that correlate with Government of Canada positions in Nunavut;
- Sivuliqtiurnmut Ilinniarniq, a leadership training initiative that prepares Inuit employees to take on supervisory or manager-level employment; and
- cultural and wellness support to Inuit employees across the Government of Canada via one-on-one counselling sessions.
Financial information
(Including new initiatives announced in Budget 2021)
Text alternative for Statutory vs. voted spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs)
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory | $1,587,467 | $6,965,997 | $2,021,410 | $2,120,912 | $2,047,066 |
| Voted | $65,575,001 | $94,253,287 | $102,558,782 | $90,790,904 | $71,240,198 |
| Total | $67,162,468 | $101,219,284 | $104,580,192 | $92,911,816 | $73,287,264 |
| FTEs | 99 | 109 | 120 | 121 | 121 |
Text alternative for Grants and contributions vs. operating expenses
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants and Contributions | $46,756,093 | $79,470,279 | $81,272,258 | $69,683,760 | $50,529,500 |
| Operating | $20,406,375 | $21,749,005 | $23,307,934 | $23,228,056 | $22,757,764 |
| Total | $67,162,468 | $101,219,284 | $104,580,192 | $92,911,816 | $73,287,264 |