Our organization
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What we do
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), established in 2009, works to help develop diversified, sustainable, and dynamic economies across Canada's territories, while also contributing to Canada's economic prosperity.
Because partnerships are central to CanNor's efforts to harness the full economic potential of the territories, CanNor works with Northerners, Indigenous groups, communities, businesses, organizations, and other federal departments to help foster long-term economic sustainability in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
CanNor's key interrelated business lines and services help drive territorial economic development:
- Advocating for economic development in the North and serving as a voice for northern needs in federal processes
- Strengthening business and community development by delivering a suite of funding programs that promote recovery, growth and innovation, and
- Through the Northern Projects Management Office, coordinating federal participation in regulatory review processes and Crown consultation with Indigenous peoples for major resource and infrastructure projects.
As the regional development agency for the North, CanNor has a key role in helping unlock business potential and helping develop key economic sectors, such as mining, tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, arts and culture, community and business development, food security and Indigenous economic development.
Visit the Programs and services page for more information.
Our president
Jimi Onalik, President – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
On November 20, 2023, Jimi Onalik became President of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Prior to his appointment as President of CanNor, Jimi Onalik served in various capacities in the Government of Nunavut since 2017. Most recently, he was Secretary to Cabinet and Deputy Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and Associate Deputy Minister of COVID Response for the Government of Nunavut.
Most of Jimi's career has been in the aviation and logistics sectors. He has over 15 years of leadership roles throughout the Canadian Arctic with several airlines. In 2001, Jimi founded and was sole owner of Unaalik Aviation, an airline that operated throughout the circumpolar north and in Antarctica. He later worked with Kenn Borek Air, First Air and Calm Air, leading operations and strategic partnerships in the transportation and mining sectors.
Early in Jimi's career, he worked for the Office of the Interim Commissioner, the organization tasked with the creation of the Government of Nunavut and served in the Premier's Office when the territory was created.
Jimi was born in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and grew up in Rankin Inlet. He is married and has five children.