NR 02-08 BUD ENG GN Budget.doc
(May 2, 2002 – IQALUIT, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) President Cathy Towtongie expressed disappointment with the resources allocated to cultural and language issues in the GN Budget. Funding for traditional language promotion and protection has been slashed by more than half.
Support for Inuit employment in government is also lacking. Aside from important contributions to the Akitsiraq Law School and training for 15 senior managers, there is little support for meeting GN’s obligations under Article 23.
There is some good news in the Budget. said Towtongie. Even if it is just a “cash flow’ surplus, that is better than a deficit. The increased funding to the Community Justice and Corrections Program and the shift to health promotion and community wellness are both excellent steps. Additional resources and a new strategy for Mental Health services, especially alcohol and drug counseling, is a very important step that will benefit community members greatly.
This budget does not sufficiently address a number of areas, such as language and culture, that impact Inuit, continued Towtongie. It is good to see increased funding to Tourism, but there is little additional support to the community economic development activities that would be central to GN’s own Naujaat Challenge. And our concerns about Article 23 cannot be overstated.
NTI also has concerns about housing. Of the 300 housing units promised in the Throne Speech, only 80 will be social housing. This small number will not affect Inuit in a significant way.
NTI would have preferred to see a more targeted tax incentive instead of the overall reduction in corporate tax rates. The benefits will go primarily to large, non-Inuit businesses and will be of little value to the majority of Inuit but we will look for the investment and economic development for Inuit that the measure promises.
It is clear to NTI that the Territory is hampered by an unfair and unfortunate Formula Funding regime that does not provide adequately for the needs of Nunavut. NTI continues to encourage GN to push hard for a more equitable Formula Funding arrangement with the Federal Government.
# END #
For further information:
Alan R. Vigoda
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Iqaluit, NU
Tel: (867) 975-4900
Fax: (867) 975-4943 Paul Irngaut
Executive Liaison & Public Relations Advisor
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Iqaluit, NU
