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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome

CanNor has one strategic outcome:

developed and diversified territorial economies that support prosperity for all Northerners

This strategic outcome reflects CanNor's important role in encouraging investment, innovation and diversification of the territorial economies.

CanNor is developing its Performance Measurement Framework as part of its Management, Resources and Results Structure and identifying the performance indicators and targets for each program activity. This exercise is extremely important as it will give CanNor a way to measure and communicate its performance results. Preliminary expected results are provided for each program activity to indicate what the Agency expects to achieve in the pursuit of its mandate with its allocated resources.

Program Activities

Program Activity 1: Business Development



Expected Results
  • Increased number of Northern and Aboriginal businesses
  • Strengthened Northern innovation and technology capacity and increased knowledge base
  • Northern and Aboriginal entrepreneurs have increased access to funding
  • Increased uptake of economic opportunities in existing, expanding and emerging sectors


Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013
FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending
14 6,156 14 6,156 14 6,156


Through this program activity, CanNor will support the growth and expansion of northern businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, through training, advisory services, and grants and contributions. The program activity's objective is the encouragement of a competitive, diverse northern business sector with a strengthened capacity for innovation. CanNor's flagship program under this program activity is the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED). This program contributes funding, as well as other forms of support to the development of proposals that aim to strengthen economic drivers, diversify the economy, increase the participation of Northerners in the marketplace and improve the co-ordination of federal programs. The program works with the territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations and the not-for-profit sector to promote economic development in the North.

CanNor will implement this program activity through the following sub-activities:

  • Innovation and Knowledge;
  • Entrepreneurship; and
  • Sectoral Development.
Planning Highlights

To achieve the expected results for this program activity, the Agency plans to undertake the following activities:

  • Funding under SINED will more than double in 2010–2011 from 2009–2010 levels of $8,157,000, with an extra $10 million for each of the remaining years of the program. Investments under SINED are guided by territorial investment plans that were approved by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in August 2009. These plans are specific to the needs of each territory and target key economic development sectors such as geoscience, tourism, cultural industries, economic infrastructure, mining, oil and gas development, forestry, renewable energy, small and medium-sized enterprises, commercial and traditional harvesting, and capacity development.
  • CanNor will explore business development opportunities for women living in the territories and for small businesses.
  • CanNor will explore initiatives geared toward encouraging, developing and promoting youth entrepreneurship.
Benefits for Canadians

CanNor will contribute to ensuring a stronger, more dynamic economy for northern families and businesses. It will ensure that economic opportunities generated by northern projects, including spin-off projects, are available to Aboriginal people. Directly empowering northern workers and businesses to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available across the territories will help Northerners prosper. All Canadians will benefit from the increased independence and diversification of the expanding territorial economies. By fostering sustainable, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders, CanNor supports the region's growing economy and helps the North fulfil its tremendous potential — an undertaking that serves the interests of Canada and all its citizens.

Program Activity 2: Community Development



Expected Results
  • Increased sustainability and well-being of northern communities
  • Increased economic development benefits and opportunities for Aboriginal communities
  • Improved employment conditions within communities with accompanying quality of life benefits
  • Northern communities benefit from improved infrastructure


Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013
FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending
29 47,495 29 30,984 29 30,984


Through this program activity, CanNor will support:

  • proposals from First Nation, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs in the North, as well as from northern communities, Aboriginal businesses and financial organizations;
  • community-level investments in infrastructure and organizations; and
  • individual-level investments in skills and capacity development.

The program activity's objective is the establishment of economically sustainable northern communities with a higher quality of life for residents. It will support economic development and diversification initiatives that help communities sustain their economies and adjust to changing and challenging economic circumstances.

As part of this program activity, CanNor will also support the delivery of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) skills training programs in the North. This will include partnerships and projects under HRSDC-administered funds such as the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund and the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnerships program. Initiatives will also include research and analysis of skills-related gaps and opportunities.

CanNor will implement this program activity through the following sub-activities:

  • Aboriginal Economic Development;
  • Community Adjustment;
  • Capacity and Skills Development; and
  • Infrastructure.
Planning Highlights

To achieve the expected results for this program activity, CanNor plans to undertake the following activities:

  • CanNor will continue to work with the territories to identify eligible projects for funding and negotiate the related contribution agreements.
  • CanNor will work to maximize benefits to communities under the Community Adjustment Fund (program ends March 31, 2011).
  • CanNor will work closely with Aboriginal governments and organizations to understand and respond to the economic development needs of these groups in accordance with the new Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development.
  • CanNor will implement in the North Canada's strategy for official languages, the Roadmap to Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008–2013: Acting for the Future. It will provide support for official language minority communities in the territories.
  • For all existing and new economic development programs, CanNor will seek to fully integrate a capacity and skills development component.
  • CanNor will continue its collaboration with Infrastructure Canada and the other regional development agencies to improve the delivery of national infrastructure programs. CanNor will initiate discussions with Infrastructure Canada about the possibility of the Agency taking on the delivery of additional infrastructure funding programs.
Benefits for Canadians

This program activity contributes to the development of strong and economically vibrant communities that, in turn, contribute to more balanced, diversified growth conditions for Canada as a whole. Through CanNor's investments, communities have more economic opportunities and increased capacity to respond to challenges. To maximize leverage, CanNor is developing the capacity to work with territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations and community leaders on integrating, as a “single window,” all federal programming and horizontal initiatives in the North.

Program Activity 3: Policy, Advocacy and Co-ordination



Expected Results
  • Policies, programs and initiatives that are effective, strengthen the northern Canadian economy and enable Northerners to access business and community development opportunities
  • Increased consideration of northern business and community development interests in federal economic policies, programs and regulations
  • Development of partnerships and co ordination of partners in addressing northern economic priorities
  • Better access to federal government economic development opportunities for northern communities, individuals and businesses
  • Northern projects managed through a co ordinated whole-of-government approach
  • More efficient and effective program delivery with exclusive northern focus


Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013
FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending
31 5,473 31 5,473 31 5,473


Through this program activity, CanNor will support research and analysis to provide evidence-based programming and policy choices, the promotion of northern interests both inside and outside the federal government, the development of horizontal strategies, initiatives and projects to address economic development challenges in the North, the co-ordination of federal responsibilities throughout the regulatory cycle of resource development projects, and close collaboration with key players to improve northern economic development.

This program activity ensures that the Agency has the information and understanding needed to provide a balanced, regionally sensitive approach that addresses northern priorities, maximizes the Agency's effectiveness, and supports the development and implementation of CanNor strategic directions and priorities.

Planning Highlights

To achieve the expected results for this program activity, the Agency plans to undertake the following activities:

  • The Northern Project Management Office (NPMO), with its executive office in Yellowknife, has been established as a core program within CanNor. Opening its doors in 2010–2011, this new program will co-ordinate the work of all federal players involved in natural resources development projects in the three territories and in the northern offshore, and co-ordinate Aboriginal consultation efforts. It will employ a phased approach to start-up and is expected to be operational in the first half of the fiscal year, providing basic co-ordination services. In the longer term, the NPMO will have a role in identifying systemic issues in regulatory processes for consideration and resolution through regulatory improvement initiatives.
  • The NPMO is currently taking on a policy, advocacy and co-ordination role by lending a northern voice to the Natural Resources Canada's Major Project Management Office, which identified short-term and long-term actions to improve the regulatory system and implement a whole-of-government approach to Aboriginal consultations.
  • In its co-ordination sub-activities, the NPMO will track the progress of northern projects in its portfolio through the entire life-cycle of the project. Project milestones and progress will be maintained on a publicly accessible database. The NPMO will also hold the Crown record of consultations for projects it manages.
  • CanNor will implement its engagement strategy and marketing and outreach strategy to ensure ongoing stakeholder engagement. In engaging with Northerners, CanNor will further tailor its activities and programs to the unique needs of the North and differing circumstances in each territory.
  • The Agency will work on developing its strategic policy function, which may include: policy research and analysis in support of policy advice and new initiatives; conducting economic research and analysis and monitoring economic issues on an ongoing basis; advocating northern interests within the federal government; and developing the capacity to facilitate and enable the alignment of key federal government economic development activities in the North.
  • CanNor will create an annual forum to bring together the senior leadership of the three Regional Federal Councils in the territories to discuss strategic issues and priorities common to the three territories and to foster collaborative working relationships. A key issue to address in 2010–2011 is the capacity-building challenges faced by organizations operating in the North.
Benefits for Canadians

Through this program activity, CanNor ensures that key federal players can better align their economic development activities in the North and become better aware of northern issues. CanNor also ensures that Northerners are able to access and participate in federal programs through a single window. As a result, the North — and Northerners — will be more likely to benefit from federal and joint federal–territorial policies and programs that are relevant to the region's economic opportunities and challenges. The resulting stronger regional economy will benefit all of Canada.

Program Activity 4: Internal Services



Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013
FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending FTEs Planned Spending
41 1,751 41 1,751 41 1,751


Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: management and oversight services; communications; ministerial support services; legal services; human resources management services; financial management services; information management services; information technology services; real property services; materiel services; acquisition services; travel; and other administrative services.

CanNor is a new organization and much of the focus in its first 18 months in operation will be to further develop its internal services capacity to ensure that CanNor effectively and efficiently delivers on its mandate. To the largest extent possible, the Agency will procure its corporate services rather than developing the capacity in-house. Proper planning and execution of internal services will facilitate the standing up of the organization and its transition to a fully operating agency.

CanNor will continue to develop internal policies, strategies and plans to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and government policies in areas such as human resources, procurement, occupational health and safety, diversity, official languages, and audit and evaluation.