Politics Sep 10, 2025 – 3:49 pm EDT

$26M interim capital budget, spending bills head to Nunavut legislature

Full budget to be presented in winter 2026 sitting

MLAs sit in the Nunavut legislature on Sept. 9. This session is the final sitting before the government dissolves Sept. 21. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

By Jeff Pelletier

MLAs are set to review a $26 million interim capital budget for 2026-27 as the current Nunavut legislative assembly prepares to dissolve ahead of the Oct. 27 territory election.

Acting finance minister David Akeeagok tabled the spending plan in the legislature Tuesday, along with four other finance-related bills. The bills were approved on first and second reading.

The interim capital budget identifies how much money four territorial departments can allocate for purchases and projects for the fiscal year that starts April 1, 2026.

That includes $470,000 for Justice, $11 million for Health, $7 million for Transportation and Infrastructure, and $7 million for Community Services.

This year’s capital budget strays from the government’s usual schedule, which typically sees a full capital budget tabled in the assembly’s fall sitting.

The legislative assembly is scheduled to dissolve Sept. 21, the day before the election writ drops, and some planning for the next year is needed.

“An interim budget ensures continuity for ongoing projects and funding for equipment which needs to be purchased early enough for the 2026 sealift season,” said Hala Duale, spokesperson for the Department of Finance.