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The $23.6 million Supplementary Appropriation to be considered by the Legislature in the current session includes:
$10 million in funding for the Department of Health and Social Services to fund ongoing programs;
$6 million for purchase of the Sivumut Building;
$4.7 million related to compensation for and removal of bad gas;
$1.6 million in response to the recent fires in Clyde River and Repulse Bay; and
$800,000 for the Department of Justice to cover additional costs related to inmates and court services.
Budget plan for 2003-2004
Mr. Speaker, I will now present our budget plans for Nunavut’s fifth year of operation.
Nunavut expects to collect $804.5 million in revenues from all sources in the coming fiscal year, which represents an 8 percent increase from last years budget of $745.5 million.
It includes a $31.8 million increase in revenue from the Formula Financing Agreement and at least $9 million of new funding we expect from the Health Accord.
Nunavut’s tax and other own-source revenues are forecast to be $11.3 million higher than budgeted last year.
Planned expenditures are expected to be $843.1 million, resulting in an unadjusted deficit of $38.6 million.
After adjusting for estimated appropriation lapses of $27 million, the operating deficit for 2003-2004 is expected to be $11.6 million.
At the end of 2003-2004, we are now forecasting an accumulated operating surplus of only $2.7 million.
This means that we will have used and depleted our accumulated surplus.
We did not raise taxes during our first four years of operation, and this budget contains no tax measures.
In the Budget Address for 2002, we promised to introduce changes to the Income Tax Act and, we introduced changes that significantly lowered the territorial income tax rates for personal and corporate taxation.
The implementation of the 2002 income tax measures gave us the lowest tax rates in Canada.
These reductions are benefiting all taxpayers in our territory and are helping to strengthen our economy.
Mr. Speaker, our expenditure plan for the 2003-2004 fiscal year is comprised of an operating budget of $700 million and a capital budget of $143.1 million.
As in all previous budgets, the Departments of Education and Health and Social Services together with the Nunavut Housing Corporation received more than half of the total budget, consistent with our priorities.
I would now like to highlight departmental funding and some of the more significant initiatives that are planned for the upcoming year.
The Department of Education’s operating budget for 2003-2004 will increase by $7.4 million to $160 million.
Over $4 million of this increase will be allocated to school operations.
An additional $2 million will be utilized for curriculum and resource development related to the Language of Instruction Initiative.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit language is a cornerstone of Inuit culture and a key priority of our education system.
The many Inuit teachers who have graduated from the Nunavut Teachers Education Program, as well as the Inuuqatigiit Curriculum Foundation and an Elders advisory committee support our efforts.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles are being integrated into new curriculum being developed.
Nunavut Arctic College receives its operating revenue from many sources.
For 2003–2004, the College will be provided with base funding of almost $15.6 million through the Department of Education.
After other program funding is added, government support for Nunavut Arctic College for 2003-2004 will be $17.5 million.
The Nunavut Research Institute is also an important part of the College providing leadership in developing, facilitating and promoting traditional knowledge, science, research and technology as resources for the well being of all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, we know that the welfare of our territory depends on having healthy communities.
This is why the Department of Health and Social Services has been provided with a total budget of $207.4 million.
Included in this amount is $151.6 million for operations, $46.3 million for capital funding requirements for the three new health facilities, and $9.5 million for other capital expenditures.
The department has received additional funding for the nursing retention strategy, outreach detoxification services with a minimal residential component and the creation of a decentralized medical travel office.
The department is planning to expand the Maternity Care Workers Program leading to qualified midwives in a number of communities.
In the upcoming year, the feasibility of expanding the program to additional communities throughout Nunavut will be explored.
As well, we will continue to implement our mental health and addictions strategy and expand the services of outreach programs with an increased emphasis on suicide prevention.
We will engage traditional healers and elders in communities to assist us in our efforts to address these critical issues and in the implementation of measures to meet these challenges.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has committed to delivering housing solutions to Nunavummiut as a key priority of this government.
For fiscal 2003-2004, operations spending for the Nunavut Housing Corporation will total $133.7 million.
The Corporation will continue counselling and assisting public housing tenants who are ready to own their homes to participate in the new tenant- to-owner program.
The many revisions and improvements to the public housing rent scale will be carefully monitored during this first year of implementation.
The Staff Housing Condominium Program will be delivered in ten of Nunavut’s decentralized communities.
By the fall of 2003, almost 160 new affordable condominium units will be available for purchase and occupancy.
The Corporation continues its commitment to develop and implement a staff housing rent scale that is sensitive to the housing needs of staff, and is in step with the public housing rent scale.
Operations funding for social housing also has kept pace with our expanded capital program.
Almost $1.4 million in additional funding will be available to local housing organizations to meet the needs of the new housing units, bringing the total contribution to those organizations to over $63.2 million.
The Department of Justice has been provided a total budget of $47.6 million, which represents a $2.7 million increase over last year’s budget.
The operating portion of the budget is $46.1 million.
We have increased funding for law enforcement by $1.4 million.
This additional funding will enable the RCMP to open two new detachments in Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, this will mean that we will now have an RCMP detachment in each of our communities.
Funding is also provided through the capital budget for the planning and design of a new courthouse for Nunavut.
An increase of $500,000 will help cover the salaries for community corrections positions and to address the costs of inmates outside of Nunavut.
The Department of Human Resources has been given a budget of $19.4 million for fiscal 2003-2004.
Mr. Speaker, the monies allocated for the Inuit Employment Plan and training account for almost one-third of this budget.
The department is responsible for the implementation, management and monitoring of Article 23 initiatives, training and development, and coordination of initiatives in all departments.
The department manages its own Inuit Management Development Program and is assisting the Department of Finance in the implementation of the Financial Internship Program, aimed at placing more beneficiaries in financial management positions.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders, and Youth has been allocated nearly $10.3 million for 2003-2004.
This represents a funding increase of $1 million, or more than 11 percent when compared to last year.
The department is creating a comprehensive strategy that will coordinate the government’s efforts in the areas of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and language.
In the coming year the department will provide over $2.5 million in grants and contributions to empower communities and support initiatives and programs related to heritage, youth, elders, language, women, arts, toponymy, communications and the disabled.
For the 2003-04 fiscal year, $37.8 million has been allocated to the Department of Sustainable Development.
Of this amount, $35.3 million has been budgeted for operations and $2.5 million for capital projects.
Over 46 percent of the department's budget has been earmarked for grants and contributions.
In total, the department has allocated $16.3 million dollars to grants and contributions.
The department will continue to support the development of local economies by dedicating $2.9 million to the Community Initiatives Program.
Another $2.4 million will be provided to municipalities for community economic development staff and community planning.
Nearly $3.5 million will be provided to the Nunavut Development Corporation to support and develop community-based businesses and economic opportunities.
The department will continue investing in Nunavut’s traditional land-based economy, providing funding support to the hunters and trappers' organizations, the Community Harvester Assistance Program, the Regional Wildlife Boards, and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
Similarly, key investments will be made to ensure the continued development of our commercial renewable and non-renewable resources through funding contributions to the Fisheries Development and Diversification Program, the Commercial Fisheries Program, and the Prospectors Assistance Program.
This budget also commits to keeping tourism delivery funding at last year’s enhanced level of $2.4 million.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Community Government and Transportation is primarily responsible for programs and services that support the delivery of municipal services to Nunavut’s communities.
For 2003-2004, the department will have a budget of $99.2 million, with $72 million allocated for operations.
The 2003-2004 allocation includes a grants and contributions budget of $40.1 million.
Over $24.5 million of the $40.1 million is allocated to the Municipal Operating Assistance Program.
The department has increased the contribution to this program by $3.8 million from last year, an 18.4 percent increase, to help cover insurance, pension and other rising costs of municipalities.
This will be the first increase to the municipalities’ basic operating grant since 1995.
The department’s capital budget is $27.2 million, a $10 million increase from last year.
The priority for this much needed investment is basic water and sewage projects in our communities.
The Department of Public Works and Services has been allocated $60.9 million for operations, and $10.7 million in capital for the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
The department has allocated $2.8 million to the systems development function that was recently transferred from the Department of Finance.
This will consolidate informatics technology in the Department of Public Works and Services and will provide for more streamlined services.
Also, $500,000 has been allocated for the start-up of Qulliq Energy Corporation and the devolution from Public Works and Services of the Petroleum Products Division.
Mr. Speaker, we have developed and are implementing a comprehensive five-year capital plan.
During our mandate we have allocated $450 million to capital projects. For the 2002-2003 fiscal year, $122 million was allocated for capital and $143 million for the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
This high level of capital spending was financed in large part by our accumulated operating surplus, which amounted to $96.2 million at the end of the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
Consistent with the priorities of this government, this capital was allocated, as follows: $106 million to the Nunavut Housing Corporation, $99 million to the Department of Education, $76 million to the Department of Health and Social Services, and $106 million to the Department of Community Government and Transportation.
The much-needed homes, schools, health facilities and community infrastructure projects resulting from the strategic capital investments were accomplished without having to incur direct debt.
Mr. Speaker, I referred earlier to the need for additional assistance from the Government of Canada to help us get the infrastructure needed for us to develop the full potential of our economy and population.
Without this investment, it would be impossible for us to maintain the same level of capital spending that we have made in 2002-2003 and have budgeted next year.
We have no accumulated reserves to invest.
Our capacity to generate extra tax revenues is limited in the short term and we do not want to or have the option to accumulate significant levels of debt.
Before moving to my concluding remarks, I will briefly reference the budget allocation of the Department of Finance and the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The operating budget for the Department of Finance will be $44.5 million, compared to $47.4 million in 2002-2003.
This drop is due to the transfer of information technology system development to the Department of Public Works and Services.
About 55 percent of the departmental budget is expenditures, which are government-wide in nature, including power subsidies, commercial leases and employee benefits.
The 2003-2004 budget for the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is $10.5 million, compared to $11.1 million in the preceding year.
This decline is primarily due to the completion of program review.
While these two central departments have primary responsibility for ensuring strong financial management, accountability and effective decision-making in our government, we recognize that we all share responsibility in that regard.
Members of this Legislative Assembly, departments, agencies and Crown corporations each play a key role in meeting this important responsibility.
Mr. Speaker, this is the fifth and final budget under the mandate of our First Legislative Assembly.
It respects the principles upon which Nunavut was created, advances the goals of the Bathurst Mandate and carries the tradition of sound financial management and responsible decision-making from Nunavut’s first four years.
We have witnessed a very important period in our history and have played a key role in ensuring a sound foundation for future generations.
The next challenge in our evolution is to ensure sustainability given limited revenue resources and ever pressing needs of a young and rapidly growing population dispersed across a vast geographic area.
One of the key achievements under this first mandate involves the strategic use of accumulated surpluses to provide much-needed social and economic infrastructure to support future generations.
However, our capacity to meet increasing expenditures is limited and will require strong fiscal discipline and accountability into the next mandate.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to face new and exciting challenges in Nunavut’s evolution.
However, we always will have these initial years to remind us of how much can be achieved in such a short period through the joint efforts of a committed Legislative Assembly, a dedicated public service and the support of all Nunavummiut.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 3. Ministers' Statements.
Item 4. Members' Statements.
Member’s Statement 386 – 1(6): Mining Strategy to Support Training Programs
That is a hard act to follow.
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to update the House on my recent attendance with other Members of the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development at the annual Convention of the Prospectors and Development Association of Canada.
This important meeting brings together representatives of government and industry to discuss issues related to mining.
I was pleased to see representatives from the Department of Sustainable Development, Kitikmeot Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Bathurst Inlet Port/Road Project just to name a few.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut was well represented at the convention.
It is clear that exploration will lead to the development of mining in Nunavut.
This is an exciting time in our territory.
The energy level was high at this convention.
Accordingly, in the Finance Minister’s budget, $215 million dollars has been spent on exploration in Nunavut over the last four years, which I think is no small amount.
Mr. Speaker, this convention gave me the opportunity to speak to many people in the mining sector, but they told me the same thing that I have heard many times before.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I have stood up in this House on numerous occasions and we have said the same thing, over and over again, and I do not know if we have been heard.
Mr. Speaker, we are getting frustrated, but we are going to try this one more time.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the key to economic development in Nunavut is preparing our constituents to join the work force.
We have seen the same thing time and time again.
New sectors open up and qualified people are brought up from the south to do work that Nunavummiut should be trained to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t want that to happen again, but it will if we don’t get our act together and formulate a solid mining strategy that focuses on training.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, diamond exploration is forth coming in the Hall Beach and Igloolik area.
This is an exciting development and I strongly encourage the government to take steps to ensure that the private sector in these communities are prepared to take advantage of increased traffic by exploration companies.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t want our government planning a mining strategy twenty years from now after the opportunities have been wasted.
We need a mining strategy and training programs to support it now.
Member’s Statement 387 – 1(6): Gratitude for Minister's Budget Address
In regards to the budget address that we have just heard, we have started to meet the needs of the people of Nunavut, which I am very proud of.
We are now starting to progress for the betterment of the people of Nunavut, but in regards to housing, and with the decreasing amount of federal dollars that will be coming, I think we have to start thinking about bringing in lumber to Nunavut.
We don’t have mills and we don’t have trees and I think it would be a good idea to start manufacturing lumber in order to meet the critical housing shortage we have here in Nunavut.
I would like to thank the Minister for the budget address and some of the initiatives that the government has taken.
Member’s Statement 388 – 1(6): Funding for Hunters and Trappers' Associations Inadequate
I will make my statement brief. (interpretation ends) I rise today on an issue of great importance.
Members are well aware of my support for jobs for Nunavummiut in the mining sector.
I was pleased to note the recent signing of an agreement between NTI and Strongbow Resources for exploration in the Kitikmeot.
However, Mr. Speaker, the flip side of the development is the effect that the development will have on the environment.
Many Nunavummiut rely on the land and its' bounty to support themselves and their families.
Mr. Speaker, Hunters and Trappers Associations are the backbone of conservation in Nunavut and we are expecting them to fulfill whatever increasing responsibilities without an increase to their operation budgets.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that the funding level has not increased in anticipation of moving mineral exploration activities.
Even prior to the increase in the mineral exploration, funding was inadequate.
Regarding the HTO in my community responsible for reviewing land use applications, there are too many applications and not enough staff to process them in a timely manner.
The HTOs cannot afford to hire additional staff and therefore cannot effectively review the land use applications.
Mr. Speaker, I am further concerned that the funding issues will be difficult to address because HTO funding is through the Wildlife Management Board with the contribution from the Government of Nunavut, Department of Sustainable Development. Clearly direction will have to be given by the Department to see HTO has the support they require.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Sustainable Development a question on this issue at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 389 – 1(6): Utilize Private Sector from Nunavut Communities
If my relatives and my immediate family members are watching the proceedings this afternoon, I say hello.
I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. McLean, for making a statement on the symposium that we just attended a few days ago in regards to the mining industry.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to make a statement about the diamond exploration that will be happening on Melville Peninsula.
I just had a meeting recently and I think that we are going to have to move expeditiously if we are going to be involved or take benefits from the spin-offs that will come out from that exploration.
For the people of Nunavut, I think it is critical that the mining explorers utilize the private sector in the Nunavut communities, especially the communities of Igloolik and Hall Beach.
In regards to the private sectors that are being hired or contracted and sent up here to work, I do not think that is a good idea.
We have to utilize the private sector from the Nunavut communities.
And I will want strong support from the Government so that there will be dialogue between the mining companies and the exploration committees and also to work intently on the environmental issues.
Member’s Statement 390 – 1(6): Long Term Service Awards in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak
Mr. Speaker, I have quite a lot of things that I would like to speak to because I was the Speaker for a number of days in the beginning.
I would like to thank within my constituencies, the settlements of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
In Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven there were presentations of recognition awards held in the month of February for those who had provided long-term service.
I would like to acknowledge and recognize the Human Resources Department for awarding their employees for their long-term service, they have provided within the different departments of Nunavut.
In Taloyoak on February 19th, 2003, there were five recipients of this award.
I congratulate them. They are:
Dallas Taqtu who received a five year service award
Roger Manilak who received a ten year service award
Joe Ashevak and Annie Buchan both received a ten year service award
Iola Taqulik received a thirty-year service award.
In Gjoa Haven on February 20th, 2003, there were seven recipients of the long-term service award.
I congratulate the following:
Rosie Nuliayuk and Agnes Porter for their five year service award
Susan Hillier received a ten year service award
Eliyak Hikinik and Joannie Saniriniq both received a fifteen year service award
Alan Aglukark received a twenty year service award
David Buchan received a thirty-year long-term service award.
I congratulate the public service employees for their foundation and keeping visible in their community.
The price of success is hard work, dedication for the job at hand, and determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
I would like to make a brief comment on the Budget Address on the enhancement of Government Operations.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement Mr. Speaker?
Just a caution to remember that your statement should be continued in the same line of thought that you started with.
I also would like to thank my colleagues.
With the presentation of recognition awards from five to thirty years, I am looking forward for them to work many more years.
Member’s Statement 391 – 1(6): Funding for Post Secondary and Technical Training for All Nunavummiut
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Finance Minister and the government for taking on partnerships, especially with the Federal Government.
And somehow our constituents benefit from that, for example in Coral Harbour, with the new terminal and the renovation of the terminal garage and the access road in Chesterfield Inlet that was announced earlier this year and other partnerships that the Minister has mentioned.