Aglukkaq talks up the budget in consultation session

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq (left centre) meets with leaders of various organizations and business in Iqaluit Jan. 16 as part of a pre-budget “consultation” exercise. The 2012-13 federal government budget is expected some time in March 2012. (PHOTO BY DEAN MORRISON)

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq visited Iqaluit Jan. 16 and 17 to hear what the leaders of various organizations and businesses have to say about the federal government’s upcoming budget.

The meetings, conducted behind closed doors, are part of a pre-budget “consultation” process that Aglukkaq said allows her to meet with constituents and hear their ideas.

“What I hear from the people of the North will be conveyed to my northern colleagues as well as the finance minister before he prepares the final budget,” Aglukkaq said.

Continuing to develop the mining industry and ensuring that Inuit have the skills and training they need to take advantage of the economic spin offs and get good jobs: these are the priorities which Aglukkaq said remain at the top of the list of concerns she’s heard.

Citing mining projects in Baker Lake and the potential for a large number of jobs at the proposed Mary River iron mine, Aglukkaq said her role is to support these projects and ensure Inuit are able to get the training needed to benefit from them.

Aglukkaq estimated the Mary River project in North Baffin would require 5,000 staff for its construction phase.

Aglukkaq also plans to meet with Nunavut Finance Minister Keith Peterson.

And she promised that despite talk of federal spending cuts, these would not affect health spending in Nunavut.

“I have always said that we [the federal government] will not cut transfers to health, and we have honoured our commitment to that,” Aglukkaq said.

The Government of Nunavut receives more than 90 per cent of its annual operating budget from the federal government, so any changes to the territorial funding formula would have far-reaching effects in the territory.

The federal budget for 2012-13 is expected to be unveiled sometime in March.