EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But we need to encourage other sources of economic activity.
Although we have seen a large number of jobs created over the last decade, the level of unemployment across the territory remains high due to our rapidly growing population and workforce.
We must ensure that the new jobs being created in our economy are accessible by Nunavummiut.
Decentralization and our investments in education and training will enhance employment prospects.
We must ensure that our people can depend on the land for their livelihoods in the future.
This will require that we continue to support and strengthen traditional economic activities, such as harvesting.
It means that we continue to be innovative in the use of our natural resources by taking the best of our traditional knowledge and merging it with new techniques.
Our tourism industry is strongly linked to our natural environment.
We expect this industry to make an increasing contribution to our economy.
The development of our parks and community-based tourism products will expand opportunities for employment.
Nunavut is widely recognized for its mineral resource potential.
The development of a mine, such as the proposed Meliadine West gold property near Rankin Inlet, could employ as many as 300 people and generate annual sales of 120 million dollars.
Similar opportunities for mineral development exist across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, to capitalise on potential mineral developments, we will need to assist our residents in identifying and developing opportunities associated with this industry.
We must develop the capacity, through training and education, to assist our people in obtaining mining jobs.
The Departments of Sustainable Development and Education have been examining these issues and will soon release a discussion paper on 'Preparing for Mining Development'.
Mr. Speaker, our natural resources extend to the waters around us.
We must invest in our fisheries, an industry that now employs approximately 250 people.
The Department of Sustainable Development has redirected resources to support our fisheries industry, and this year we expect to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans on fisheries development in Nunavut.
Innovative uses of our natural resources must occur in community-based industries such as the arts and crafts.
More than 3,000 people across Nunavut depend on this industry for some portion of their livelihood.
Arts and crafts continue to be one of the most important exports.
We see continued growth in our arts economy, including the performing arts, film production and cultural tourism.
Our economic prospects will continue to expand.
But we will have to work diligently to ensure that Nunavummiut benefit from these increasing opportunities, and that we manage our natural resources wisely.
Fiscal Performance
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut's first budget, tabled in May 1999, was a balanced budget.
We forecasted revenues of $610 million, operating expenditures of $545 million and capital expenditures of $55 million.
We set aside a contingency reserve of $10 million to cover unforeseen expenditure needs.
In our mid-year Budget Update we projected that the government would have a surplus of $12 million for the 1999-2000 fiscal year.
This surplus was the result of a $1.7 million increase in forecasted revenues and a projected $10.3 million saving in departmental expenditures.
Our projected revenue forecast for the year ending March 31, 2000, has increased by an additional $7.5 million over mid-year and $9.2 million over our budget projections.
This increase is largely due to growth in federal transfers resulting from Canada's strong economy and population growth in our territory.
On the expenditure side, departmental spending projections are $14.6 million below mid-year and $24.9 million below budget allocations.
In addition $17.1 million in funding was provided to our three health boards.
This was comprised of $8.2 million that was reallocated within the Department of Health and Social Services' approved budget, as well as $8.9 million from the savings of other departments.
This latter amount was used  to pay off the combined deficits of the three boards accumulated prior to April 1, 1999.
A large part of these expenditure savings are of a one-time nature, attributed to the fact that we have not reached our full staffing capacity.
As we will be increasing our staffing levels over the coming year, it is unlikely that we will see similar salary savings in the future.
For the 1999-2000, fiscal year we now anticipate a surplus of $34.1 million.
Mr. Speaker, our first Public Accounts, which are to be released this fall, will present government's actual revenues and expenditures for 1999-2000.
As in all jurisdictions in Canada, our net fiscal position cannot be determined until the consolidated financial statements contained in our Public Accounts are finalized.
Mr. Speaker, our departments have operated this year with many unfilled positions, which has placed a heavy burden on many of our employees.
Our programs and services have been delivered as a result of their extra time and effort.
Our employees should be commended for a job well done.
Mr. Speaker, in January, I announced a 15 percent increase in the Northern Allowance  Benefits paid to all GN employees.
This change will take effect for the members of the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, Hay Plan and Excluded employees on April 1, 2000.
For members of the Nunavut Employees Union this increase will take effect once a new contract is ratified.
As well, work is underway to review equity between communities that could result in additional Northern Allowance Benefits paid to employees in some  communities.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to once again congratulate the executive and membership of the Federation of Nunavut Teachers, which strongly endorsed the new collective bargaining agreement. This 3-year agreement will provide stability and the opportunity to plan and
deliver quality education programs to Nunavut students.
Fiscal Outlook and Plan
Mr. Speaker, I will now present our fiscal plans for Nunavut's second year of operation.
Nunavut's revenues are projected to be $638.7 million in the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
This represents a 4.7 percent increase in revenues over last year's budget forecast.
This increase is due in large measure to the continued strength in our Canadian economy, which directly affects formula financing transfers to Nunavut.
It also reflects the one-time increase to the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) announced in the last federal budget.
Mr. Speaker, all provinces and territories rely on federal transfers, even the wealthiest.
Our reliance, at about 90 percent of our total revenues, is the highest of any jurisdiction in Canada.
Our income taxes, consumption taxes, payroll taxes, and other own-source revenues, including an insurance recovery associated with the loss of the high school in Cambridge Bay, account for the remaining 10 percent of our total revenues.
Mr. Speaker, the budget plan I present today will utilize approximately $15.3 million of the $34.1 million surplus anticipated from our first year of operation.
To accommodate additional expenditure requirements, we have set aside a contingency reserve of $10 million dollars and a second reserve of $5 million has been established to cover the increased cost of Northern Allowance Benefits.
This amount will be allocated to departments once a collective agreement is reached with the Nunavut Employees Union.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the growth in revenues and the projected surplus from 1999-2000, planned expenditures for 2000-2001 will be increased to $654 million.
This represents an increase of 7.2 percent over the planned expenditure allocations in our first budget.
We will be allocating in excess of $572 million for operations and maintenance, as well as, more than $66 million for capital projects.
This budget provides funding of over $14 million for one-time initiatives, not part of our long-term expenditure base.
While there are no tax changes in this budget, we fully supported the income tax changes in the recent federal budget.
Since the federal government administers our income taxes, the rate reductions will lower the territorial as well as federal tax burden on Nunavummiut.
The increases to child tax benefits will help many of our families.
In order to reduce our dependency on transfers we need to increase economic opportunities, which in turn would strengthen our tax base.
Also, we must reduce the cost of providing government services.
Changes of this nature cannot be accomplished overnight.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that the federal transfers we receive are sufficient to help us overcome a number of significant challenges until we become more self-reliant.
The single most important transfer that Nunavut receives is the territorial formula financing grant.
This transfer accounts for approximately 80 percent of our revenues.
The agreement that sets out how this transfer is calculated was signed prior to the establishment of Nunavut.
The term of the initial Canada-Nunavut Formula Financing Agreement was for a two-year period.
It is set to expire on March 31, 2001.
In relation to this, the Government of Canada has put all major transfers to provinces and territories on a common five-year track.
This means that we have an opportunity to enter into a new agreement for an additional three-year period.
Nunavut intends to sign a new agreement with the federal government to ensure that this significant source of revenue is ongoing.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut's infrastructure and socio-economic needs are significantly different from any jurisdiction in Canada.
In this regard, we have been seeking a commitment from the federal government to undertake a review of Nunavut's fiscal requirements.
We will set out our position in a discussion paper which will be released in the coming weeks.
In order to become more self-sufficient we need not only financial assistance, but we also must assume authority and responsibilities over our own resources.
As part of our long-term plan, we are pursuing a devolution agreement with the Government of Canada to take on the responsibility of managing our subsurface resources.
Nunavut would assume the powers to develop, manage and regulate the natural resource base in our territory, and powers to administer and control public lands.
It would give us powers to levy and collect resource royalties and other revenues from natural resources.
These are powers we need.
In January, the federal Minister of DIAND, the Honourable Robert Nault, indicated in a speech to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories that a comprehensive and inclusive approach was needed to developing governance structures, to sharing resources, and to building and managing the Northern economy and environment.
In Nunavut we accept this challenge.
We will continue to work co-operatively with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the federal government to produce a positive outcome for Nunavut.
In a recent letter to me, Mr. Paul Quassa, the President of NTI, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to work productively with both levels of government on this important matter.
The fact that we have a land claim agreement in place should help facilitate a successful outcome.
Mr. Speaker, we need the additional authority and responsibility to help ensure our economic development and to enhance our opportunities to move towards increased self-reliance.
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to reaching an agreement on devolution with the federal government within our mandate.
We are now in the process of preparing a discussion paper that will lay out options and approaches to arriving at such an agreement.
Also, with the combination of a strong national economy and much improved federal fiscal position, the environment should be right for a positive response from the Government of Canada to addressing Nunavut's expenditure needs.
Spending Plans and Priorities
Mr. Speaker, in the coming fiscal year the Government of Nunavut has allocated $639 million for funding programs, services, and capital projects across the territory, in addition to our $15 million reserves.
The Departments of Health and Social Services and Education, along with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, will account for approximately 50 percent of the Government of Nunavut's total allocated spending.
This spending is consistent with The Bathurst Mandate and the priorities identified through the pre-budget consultations.
For the 2000-2001 fiscal year, we will be investing over $66 million in capital projects throughout the territory.
This represents an increase of 20 percent from 1999-2000.
Nearly 60 percent of our capital budget will be used to fund projects of the Departments of Health and Social Services, Education and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
When the Departments of Public Works and Community Government and Transportation are included, this figure increases to over 90 percent of the total.
Mr. Speaker, in last year's budget we committed to the development of a Five-Year Capital Plan.
We have worked hard at developing a sound and balanced capital plan for Nunavut.
In developing such a plan we must continuously recognize that our needs are great and that our resources will only permit us to do so much each year.
The longer planning horizon will ensure a balanced approach to addressing the capital needs of all  communities.
We will have to be resourceful, creative and practical in our capital planning efforts.
Public-Private Partnering, or P3, is an example of a resourceful approach to addressing our capital needs.
The P3 process represents a viable financing vehicle for major infrastructure projects.
Last spring, the GN successfully negotiated with the Arviat Development Corporation the first P3 project in Nunavut.
This agreement will see the construction of a new health facility for Arviat.
The Government of Nunavut is continuing to work towards using this innovative funding approach to construct health centres in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit.
In the future other capital projects may be suitable P3 candidates.
Mr. Speaker, it is our intention to present a preliminary Five-year Capital Plan to the  Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly this fall.
This will provide MLAs an opportunity to have greater input into the plan before the 2001-2002 Capital Estimates are tabled.
I will now highlight some of the departmental spending initiatives for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
Health and Social Services
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services will have a total budget of  $120.2 million, including over $115.9 million allocated for operations and maintenance, as well as $4.3 million for capital projects.
Over $46 million will be provided for medical treatment, and nearly $24 million to promote healthy children, families and communities.
In addition, over $28 million has been allocated for health insurance programs.
Also included in the department's capital plan is $1 million for telehealth.
Over the past year we have made a number of important decisions and critical investments relating to the provision of health care programs and services in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, last fall the first students in the Nunavut Nursing Program began their  training.
A second group of students will begin training this coming September.
With this program we are making an investment in our youth, addressing staffing issues, and developing our capacity to train health professionals.
Ongoing funding has been provided for this program, which was given supplementary funding last year from our contingency reserve.
We must compete with other jurisdictions to attract qualified health professionals.
To retain and recruit nursing staff we have reclassified certain health care positions and initiated a program to provide length of service bonuses and a bonus at initial hiring.
These initiatives are similar to measures introduced in other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, effective April 1 this year, the Department of Health and Social Services will directly assume the responsibilities of Nunavut's three health boards.
By concentrating on core health responsibilities we will be able to provide more efficient and effective health care to the people of Nunavut.
Several administrative and operational expenditure responsibilities previously covered by health board budgets will be transferred to central government departments.
These include payroll and employee benefits, staffing and relocation functions, as well as the maintenance of hospitals and other health buildings, including heating and utility costs.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has been allowed to retain in  excess of $5 million of the funding previously allocated to boards for these functions.
The department will redirect these funds to address a number of fundamental health and social services needs of the people of Nunavut.
A core issue for the people of Nunavut is the health of our communities.
If we are to make communities healthier, we will need to address mental health issues, including sexual abuse, family violence, and other anti-social behaviours that affect both the individual and others.
The most extreme example of mental health disorder is suicide.
We will increase resources for suicide prevention and intervention training, as well as bereavement support for individuals and communities.
Mr. Speaker, tobacco use in Nunavut is at an epidemic level.
It is one of the main causes of death among Nunavummiut - 78 percent of our young people between the ages of 15 to 24 are smokers.
The government will commit resources to reverse the trend in tobacco use and to ensure that fewer youth start smoking.
We will examine the development of a comprehensive dental program focused specifically on pre-schoolers.
Such a program would improve the dental health of our children.
Mr. Speaker, with the creation of Nunavut, we have an opportunity to address many of our health challenges.
The solutions to our problems will be found in a combination of our traditional knowledge, good management, and modern techniques.
Under the direction of the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Ed Picco, the initiatives outlined above will begin the process of creating healthier communities and improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Nunavut.
The Department of Education will continue to have the largest departmental budget at $150.4 million, including $135.1 million for operations and maintenance.
Mr. Speaker, as with the Department of Health and Social Services, the coming fiscal year will bring significant changes for the Department of Education.
Nunavut's three Divisional Educational Councils will be integrated into the department on July 1.
The Department of Education is estimating that dissolving the education councils will generate savings of up to $500,000 in 2000-2001 and up to $1 million in 2001-2002, in salaries and per diems, which will be reinvested in education programs and services.
For the 2000-2001 fiscal year we will be investing additional resources in a number of critical areas of our education system.
Funding of $400,000 has been provided for additional Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun curriculum development.
This initiative will help preserve and promote the Inuit language and culture.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that we will be providing funds to increase the number of teaching positions across the territory.
The department will be investing an additional $ 1.2 million for this year.
We will be making significant capital investments in our education system.
A total of $15.3 million has been allocated for capital projects for next year.
The department will be overseeing work on a total of 15 new and ongoing capital projects.
In August of 1998 fire destroyed the Killiniq High School and Community Library in Cambridge Bay.
Construction of the new facility will begin this summer with completion expected in the following year.
This budget allocates $7.9 million for this project.
The department will be initiating a number of new capital projects.
Included in this budget's allocation is $615,000 to begin the replacement of the Jonah Amitnaaq School in Baker Lake.
Funding also has been provided for planning school additions in Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay and Whale Cove.
In Pond Inlet, we are initiating the renovation of the elementary school and examining high school gym expansion options, with $1 million allocated for the first year of this project.
Over $1.5 million has been budgeted for an addition to the Quluaq School in Clyde River, and $1.8 million for an addition to the Kugaardjuq School in Pelly Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education has initiated a 20-year capital planning process that is designed to enhance the quality of our educational facilities across Nunavut.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education, the Honourable James Arvaluk, will lead the development of a plan for a minor capital program for schools to begin this fall.
Through this program we will carry out much needed improvements to many schools across the territory.
Funding for this program will come from the accumulated surpluses of the three education councils upon the assumption of their duties by the Department of Education.
The exact value of the program will be determined this fall when board audits are completed.
The full amount of the surpluses, Mr. Speaker, will be reinvested in education.
This is another significant investment in Nunavut's school system.
We have reached an agreement with the Government of Canada for the construction of a French language school in Iqaluit.
The Government of Nunavut will contribute $200,000 to this project in the coming year.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College is in the final stage of developing a new five-year strategic plan.
Once approved by the College Board of Governors this Spring, the plan will guide the college in its development and program delivery over the coming years.
We will provide ongoing support for the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, which was given ongoing funding from our contingency reserve last year.
This initiative, which is a part of implementing the human resource plan that supports the goals of Article 23 of the Land Claims Agreement, will provide the skills and leadership needed for a sound education system.
In addition, we will be undertaking a review of the student accommodation needs for the three main campuses of Arctic College.
In addition to the initiatives outlined above, the department will reinvest over $1.5 million to improve the service delivery and the management of the Income Support Program.
As well, the department has budgeted over $20 million for adult learning and post secondary education, and over $80 million for early childhood education and school services.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Nunavut have told us that addressing housing needs must be one of this government's priorities.
This past summer, the Minister Responsible for Housing, the Honourable Manitok Thompson, established a task force to examine and make recommendations on housing in Nunavut.
Minister Thompson will lead our efforts in addressing housing issues across the territory.
The Government of Nunavut will build 100 new public housing units this fiscal year.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation will soon call tenders for the construction of these units, which should be ready for occupancy in early 2001.
The corporation also has received additional funding to operate approximately 40 public housing units that will be leased from the private market.
Mr. Speaker, we realize that the demand for social housing far exceeds these increases, but this is a start.
We are committed to addressing our housing shortage in a meaningful, ongoing and efficient manner.
Mr. Speaker, at $19 million the Nunavut Housing Corporation has been allocated a capital budget larger than any government department for fiscal 2000-2001.
In total, funding of over $54 million has been allocated for the corporation.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is now a stand-alone entity with a mandate to provide public housing programs.