The Canadian government has announced that it’s invested $922,253 in supporting the innovation ecosystem in Yukon through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development program (SINED).
The announcement was made on October 12 by Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
This funding is in addition to CanNor’s previous contribution of $1.5 million towards the first phase of NorthLight Innovation.
The funding will go to nonprofit makerspace YuKonstruct for the completion of the NorthLight Innovation building that merges Yukonstruct’s existing collaboration hubs under one roof. The 24,000 square foot NorthLight Innovation facility—located in downtown Whitehorse—will merge Makespace, which provides access to manufacturing equipment and offers educational workshops to potential innovators, and Cospace, which provides a shared workspace and collaborative environment for Yukon’s entrepreneurs and innovators.
“The passion, vision and entrepreneurial spirit shown by Northerners is an inspiration to all Canadians and is sure to inspire new entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial movements,” said Bains. “The government of Canada is very proud to have partnered with Yukonstruct on this new and unique Northern-focused innovation hub.”
This funding is in addition to CanNor’s previous contribution of $1.5 million towards the first phase of NorthLight Innovation, which was announced in March. The Yukon government contributed $1.95 million to the first phase in addition to cash and in-kind contributions from the private sector.
“It is truly exciting to see talented and innovative entrepreneurs, leaders in new technologies, and Yukon’s forward-looking business community working together under one roof,” said Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon. “I am happy to see the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon supporting an innovation hub that incubates new ideas, bolsters economic diversification and fosters long-term sustainable growth in the North.”
