EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Much of this production is exported to other parts of the country and worldwide.
We see continued opportunity for growth in these community-based and cultural industries.
Our tourism sector shows promise of strong growth as well.
Through the development of community-based tourism enterprises and hospitality infrastructure we can expand employment opportunities and economic activity in all of Nunavut’s communities.
Mr. Speaker, the potential for natural resource development is particularly impressive, although still largely untapped.
This potential is recognized worldwide.
Each year the mineral exploration industry invests millions of dollars in our economy.
The opportunities created by a single mining development could be considerable.
For example, the proposed Meliadine West gold property near Rankin Inlet could generate annual sales in excess of $100 million and employ hundreds of people.
There are many potential development projects within our territory, another example being the proposed Tahera Jericho diamond mine in the Kitikmeot.
Our renewable resources also hold much untapped potential, in particular Nunavut’s fisheries prospects.
Our government will work hard at developing the opportunities related to our fisheries and other renewable resources.
Mr. Speaker, we are working towards a framework agreement pertaining to the management of non-renewable natural resources and actively seeking a Northern Economic Development Strategy with the federal government.
Both of these initiatives could result in significant long-term benefits for our territory.
Also, our special needs in areas such as information technology and skills for the knowledge based economy must be addressed.
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear.
While we are committed to improving economic opportunities across Nunavut, we will not do this at the expense of our traditional way of life.
We strongly believe that we can encourage development and promote our traditions and culture while respecting our land and environment.
We will continue to consult with Nunavummiut in planning the development of our economy to be sure that, when it takes place, it is appropriate for our people and our culture.
Mr. Speaker, we intend to work closely with our territorial partners, including Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and other Designated Inuit Organizations, as we introduce initiatives to encourage development in Nunavut.
Together with our combined knowledge and resources we can produce greater benefits for Nunavummiut.
The finalization of the Nunavut Land Claim also has resulted in new opportunities in Nunavut.
We are seeing the emerging role of birthright corporations and the economic spin-offs of claim-based activities and of aboriginal ownership of lands and resources.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has been clear in its desire to participate with claims organizations in all sectors of activity.
It has entered into formal protocols to ensure that this cooperative spirit is carried into our daily business.
After two years we see concrete evidence of this cooperation.
Economic partnerships with Nunavut Tunngavik and other aboriginal organizations support Nunavut's growing knowledge base: there is joint funding of a Nunavut Economic Scan by the Conference Board of Canada, and multi-party funding of household and wildlife surveys are being conducted by the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics.
On the program side, there is shared funding of initiatives such as the Hunter Support Fuel Subsidy and the planned Akitsiraq Law School.
Of course, economic development depends, in large part, on our ability to attract investment – both private and public.
The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement provides a stable economic environment in which to develop our resource potential.
However, investors also are looking for the assurance they will have access to skilled workers who can fill the jobs that will be created.
If we are to capitalize on the potential of the resource sector, we will need to work aggressively to help our people develop the capacity, through training and education, to maximize their opportunities for employment.
Mr. Speaker, our government must deal with a number of unique geographic and social challenges that have a direct impact on government spending.
With regard to Nunavut’s geography, the vast distances, relatively small size of our population and communities, as well our short shipping season, make the cost of goods and services very expensive in Nunavut.
These same factors make it equally expensive for government to provide essential programs and services.
By Canadian standards, our population is very young – the 1996 Census estimated that nearly one-half of Nunavut’s population was under the age of 20.
This compares to just over one-quarter for the country as a whole.
In addition, Nunavut’s population is growing at a rate roughly double the national average.
Our population is increasing at about three percent annually.
At this rate of growth our total population will double in less than 25 years.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of this Assembly are aware, Nunavut’s rapidly growing population and workforce has resulted in a high level of unemployment in the territory – despite the large number of new jobs created in recent years.
It is vital that jobs continue to be created and that Nunavummiut have access to them.
To succeed, we need to ensure young adults attain a level of formal education that will help them prepare for the modern working world and their place in Nunavut’s new economy.
Mr. Speaker, our young and rapidly growing population also puts tremendous pressure on government to deliver needed programs and services – particularly in the health and social sectors.
Compounding these challenges, growth in our housing stock has lagged far behind our population growth.
The same factors that result in high costs for goods and services, as well as high costs for essential programs, make housing very expensive.
Most of our residents live in public housing because they cannot afford to own and maintain a home, in a market where housing costs can reach four times the Canadian average.
Overcrowding, although unacceptable, has become a fact of everyday life for many people in Nunavut - on average, there are 4.3 persons occupying each dwelling in our territory, compared to a national average of less than 2.7.
Adequate and affordable housing is a priority issue for the Government of Nunavut.
The magnitude of this issue, however, means that it likely will take years of concentrated effort to see significant improvements.
Mr. Speaker, without significant additional assistance from the federal government, this problem will persist.
I will stress that all levels of government must continue to support partnership initiatives that will enable us to address these serious social issues and will help to develop our economy.
But ultimately, Mr. Speaker, our future social and economic success will depend on the initiatives we design in Nunavut, the skills of our people, and the careful management of both our fiscal and natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to creating healthier communities, to supporting families and individuals, and to working to make Nunavut more self-reliant within Canada.
We need to simplify our ways of running government, and continue to develop the skills of our young and growing population.
These goals, which are consistent with the principles of the Bathurst Mandate, continue to guide the work of this government.
This budget represents our ongoing strategic plan to achieve these goals.
It demonstrates our determination to respond to the needs of our people, to act in a fiscally responsible manner, and to continue to be publicly accountable.
However, Nunavummiut should understand that government cannot address our territory’s challenges alone.
Meeting social needs and creating a strong economy will require a commitment not only on the part of government, but the people of Nunavut as well.
Mr. Speaker, I will now present our fiscal plan for 2001-2002.
As we did last year, our budget plan will utilize funds from the government’s accumulated operating surplus.
For the 2001-2002 fiscal year we are projecting an operating deficit of approximately $34.8 million, including a contingency reserve of $10 million.
We need to be prepared for the unexpected such as the higher than anticipated fuel prices that we experienced this year.
Unfortunately, we cannot shield our population completely from situations like this, which are beyond our control.
We have budgeted expenditures of $679.5 million for the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
This represents an increase of more than 6 percent over last year.
We will be allocating more than $608 million for operations and maintenance expenditures, and over $71 million for capital projects.
As Members of the Assembly fully recognize, the transition to a new territory did not end on April 1, 1999.
Despite the fact there is no additional funding to cover transitional costs, this budget provides over $30 million for essential one-time initiatives.
These will not be part of our long-term expenditure base.
For 2001-2002 our revenues are projected to be $670 million.
This represents a 4.9 percent increase in revenues over the 2000-2001 budget forecast.
This increase is due largely to the continued strength of the Canadian economy, which directly affects our formula financing transfers to Nunavut.
However, we should recognize that growth in the national economy is expected to slow down and we cannot count on such growth in future transfers.
We are projecting $54.6 million in own-source revenues for the coming fiscal year.
Our largest source is personal income tax, which we expect to bring in $10.3 million.
Other sources include tobacco, payroll, corporate income, fuel, and property taxes.
Mr. Speaker, as we have done in each of our first two years, I am pleased to announce once again that there will be no new taxes or fees imposed on the people of Nunavut in 2001.
In fact, Nunavummiut will be paying less territorial and federal income tax this year, as a result of recently announced taxation initiatives by the Government of Canada.
For 2001-2002 we are projecting $615.4 million in federal transfers.
Approximately $563 million of this will be provided through the Formula Financing Agreement.
The Government of Canada provides transfers to all provinces and territories.
The Formula Financing Grant is influenced by factors such as growth in provincial government expenditures, growth in the national economy, as well as by factors specific to Nunavut such as our relative population growth and tax revenues.
With our vast area, small population and weak economic base, Nunavut depends on federal transfers for over 90 percent of our total revenues.
Without sufficient federal transfers, we will not be able to overcome our significant challenges and become more self-reliant.
Mr. Speaker, given the serious and growing social and economic challenges we face, it is critical that we maximize our benefits from and seek more favourable treatment through the Formula Financing Agreement.
Nunavut will be signing an extension to the current Formula Financing Agreement with the federal government in the near future that will provide transfers through the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
This extension places all three territorial governments on the same renewal calendar with their agreements expiring March 31, 2004.
Mr. Speaker, I have asked my federal counterpart - the Honourable Paul Martin - and he has agreed that senior financial officials from our respective departments should review the fiscal capacity and needs of Nunavut.
This review would assess Nunavut's fiscal needs and determine if there are any corrective fiscal actions necessary.
In that we are introducing our second deficit budget, I think it is prudent to undertake such a review before longer-term problems surface that could threaten the fiscal and political stability of Nunavut.
I am confident that the Governments of Canada and Nunavut share the commitment to see our territory succeed and that we will work effectively together to ensure that it does.
Our efforts to have additional needs addressed through the Formula Financing Arrangements and other federal transfers will continue.
Housing needs in particular must be addressed.
We will also strive to take full advantage of new federal funding dedicated to Aboriginal issues – particularly in the areas of housing, job training and health, announced in the recent Speech from the Throne.
As essential as these efforts are, however, it would be unwise for our government to focus exclusively on improving our revenues.
It is not realistic to think we can spend our way out of our problems or to expect others to resolve them for us.
If we are to make a convincing case for additional funding, we have to demonstrate that we are responsible managers, providing the right services in the most cost-effective way.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut is in the fortunate position of not yet having an accumulated debt.
Most governments in Canada have large debt loads that reduce the amount of money they spend on health, education and other important social programs.
Borrowing large amounts of money to finance current spending on programs and services would be short sighted.
We must avoid the problems of other governments and learn from their mistakes.
Mr. Speaker, consistent with the Bathurst Mandate we will live within our means and we will not spend large amounts of money that we do not have.
This means that, like every other government in Canada, we will have to make many difficult choices in how we allocate our limited financial resources.
We will have to do many things differently in future if we are to meet growing pressures.
We will need to be realistic and focus our efforts on our priorities.
We must determine if we are doing the right things and if we are doing things right.
With our limited financial resources, our ability to be innovative and more efficient will be critical.
We will have to find ways to be more resourceful and change programs and services to better meet our needs.
To assist this process, we will be conducting a major program review exercise over the coming year.
Mr. Speaker, using the knowledge gained over the past two years we plan to do a thorough inventory of the activities of this government, in order to ensure that our efforts and expenditures are consistent with our goals in the Bathurst Mandate and the needs of Nunavummiut.
Choices that we make today will affect the lives of Nunavummiut tomorrow.
So we must take the time necessary to be certain any changes we introduce are right for our people.
We continue to be mindful of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) in what and how we do things.
Our Expenditures
It is this reality that has guided our spending plans and priorities for the coming year.
For the 2001-2002 fiscal year our government has allocated over $679 million to fund programs, services, and capital projects throughout Nunavut.
In addition, we have established a contingency reserve of $10 million to cover unforeseen fiscal requirements.
Mr. Speaker, the Departments of Education and Health and Social Services, along with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, will account for nearly 52 percent of our government’s total allocated spending.
This spending is consistent with the priorities identified by the people of Nunavut.
I will now review departmental spending and highlight some initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, all Members of this Legislature recognize that education is the key to a better future for the people of Nunavut.
Equipping our citizens with the skills and knowledge they need, at all stages of their lives, is crucial to our territory’s success.
For 2001-2002 the Department of Education will have the largest departmental budget at $174.7 million.
This includes planned spending on capital projects of over $29 million, an increase of over 90 percent compared to last year.
Construction will begin or continue on schools or Arctic College facilities in the communities of Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk, Arviat, and Baker Lake.
In addition, we will continue with the planning and design work for future projects in several communities.
As the result of increased enrolments, our schools will receive an additional $1.6 million to maintain the current pupil teacher ratio.
This will mean approximately 20 new teaching positions across Nunavut.
As well, $1.8 million has been set aside for rising fuel and utility costs in schools.
Recognizing that in today’s world, learning must be life long, our government will provide young adults the opportunity to increase their employment skills.
The department will spend an additional $300,000 on trades next year.
This is a first step in the development of a Nunavut Trades Education initiative designed to provide individuals access to trade programs that will allow for self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
Mr. Speaker, this will be the first full year of Nunavut’s Labour Market Development Agreement, which will bring $3.3 million from the Government of Canada to Nunavut to assist in adult training and education.
In addition to the funding I have just highlighted, the accumulated surpluses of the former Divisional Education Boards will be invested back into education.
This one-time funding will provide resources for a number of projects including the development of Inuktitut curriculum and program support initiatives.
Housing is another pressing priority for this government.
In last year’s budget we announced an ambitious plan to construct 100 new public housing units and operate an additional 40 public housing units to be leased from the private market.
At that time we acknowledged that the demand for social housing far exceeded these initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, we remain committed to addressing our housing needs in a meaningful, ongoing and efficient manner.
For 2001-2002 the Nunavut Housing Corporation will have a capital budget of $14 million, which is second only to the Department of Education.
In total, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has been allocated $54.6 million in funding.
This significant capital budget will enable the corporation to continue to deliver homeownership programs, as well as modernize and improve the current housing stock.
In recognition of the ongoing need for low-cost housing, our government remains committed to building additional public housing units throughout the territory.
During 2001-2002 the corporation will construct at least 50 new public housing units.
Mr. Speaker, early last year the Task Force on Housing made 15 recommendations to improve housing for Nunavummiut.
I am pleased to report that, in the coming year, the Nunavut Housing Corporation will initiate actions to address each task force recommendation.
In 2001-2002 the corporation is planning to revise the public housing rent scale, develop new homeownership programs that are responsive to the needs of Nunavummiut, create new and improved housing designs using an IQ approach, and finalize the Housing Needs Study as part of the Nunavut Household Survey.
These initiatives demonstrate that our government is committed to making progress in addressing Nunavut’s housing needs.
Housing challenges are closely linked to our territory’s health and social needs.
The Department of Health and Social Services will have a total budget of $123.3 million, including over $119 million for operations and maintenance, as well as $4.2 million for capital projects.
In addition, we will continue to work towards lease arrangements for the Baffin Hospital and two regional health facilities with the birthright development corporations.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to focus on the delivery of integrated community-based health and social services.
The department’s Kugluktuk office will be examining a standardized service delivery model for health and social services across the territory.
The department will be consulting elders and seeking their participation in community-based healing programs.
Ongoing training and developing local solutions will remain top priorities.
As well, we will continue to define and refine a culturally appropriate mental health strategy.
The department remains dedicated to building a strong and stable workforce of health professionals in our territory, including renewed efforts to increase Inuit employment.
Strategies for the recruitment and retention of nurses will be a key priority for the department.
Health protection services, such as tuberculosis control and surveillance, will be increased through better tracking mechanisms as well as enhanced public education activities.
In addition, children between the ages of two and 19 years, and adults over the age of 49 years, will be vaccinated to help prevent pneumococal disease.
The department will maintain its public campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles and the negative health consequences of smoking and other addictions.
For 2001-2002 the Department of Justice has been provided a total budget of $38.0 million, including half a million dollars for capital projects.
Mr. Speaker, one of the most exciting and innovative items in the budget for the coming year is $381,000 to fund the Akitsiraq Law School.
This four-year program – operated through a partnership between Nunavut Arctic College, the University of Victoria Law School, and the Government of Nunavut – will fill a critical gap that currently exists in our territory.
The Inuit lawyers graduating from this program, whether they work for government or in the private sector, will have the tools to instigate change that will positively affect the future of Nunavut.
Funding has been provided for support staff and additional court circuit travel in the Court Services Division, in anticipation of the Government of Canada making the planned appointment of a third judge to the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Support of this unique court will insure that its simplified and innovative format is given an opportunity to respond to community need.
Mr. Speaker, the responsibilities of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth are priority areas for our government.
In addition to the budget of over $7.3 million provided to the department, there are many elements of programs funded in other departments that support Inuit culture and language.
Within the department for the upcoming year, capital funding of $1 million will be dedicated to a Heritage and Archival Centre Study, Language Centre Study, Youth and Elders Facility Study, and the Kitikmeot Heritage Centre.
In addition to its regular programming, the department will focus on the Inuit Qaujimajatuqanginnut Tunngaviksaliuqtiit Task Force, Elders and Youth Initiatives, community-based grants and contributions, and Inuit employment.
The department will provide over $2.3 million in grants and contributions to support initiatives, including traditional language promotion and protection, as well as cultural and heritage programs.
For 2001-2002 the Department of Sustainable Development will manage a total budget of over $34.3 million.
The department will continue its work with communities in Nunavut in creating jobs and developing a sustainable economy.
Over one third of the department's budget, $13.7 million dollars, has been allocated to fund programs through grants and contributions to communities and industry organizations.
The department will continue its work with hamlets in developing community-based economies by allocating $2.7 million to the Community Initiatives Program, $1.9 million will be provided to hamlets to hire Community Economic Development Officers, and Nunavut Tourism will be provided over $1.3 million to deliver tourism programs on the government's behalf.
Mr. Speaker, we know that our traditional, land-based economy continues to serve as the foundation for economic life in Nunavut.
The department will continue its investments in the harvesting economy by funding Hunter's and Trappers Organizations, Regional Wildlife Boards, and support for outpost camps.
The department will also increase its capacity in the wildlife service in non-decentralized communities.