Todd unveils $32 million jobs scheme

ANNETTE BOURGEOIS

The territorial government plans to inject $32 million into small make-work projects over the next two years to create 1,000 short-term jobs.

Finance Minister John Todd announced the Northern Employment Strategy last week in the legislative assembly. He said the money for the plan has, in part, been raised through the recent sale of government staff housing.

“We cannot wait for our economic fortunes to improve before we act,” Todd said. “We face a socio-economic crisis that demands an urgent response.”

The money will be spent on six existing GNWT programs and two new programs.

Todd said the new money will directed at youth employment and the 9,000 or so NWT residents who find themselves currently unemployed. The funds are earmarked for private-sector and community-based economic development projects.

“When combined with existing budgets,” Todd said, “this means a total of $30 million will be strategically invested in community, economic and labor-force development initiatives this year.”

Three million dollars has been earmarked for business development; $3 million to replenish and expand the Community Futures programs in the Sahtu, Deh Cho and Kitikmeot regions; and $2 million for community projects, including municipal spending on infrastructure.

Two million dollars will go toward training and short-term jobs under the federal-territorial infrastructure program; $2 million in adult education; $2 million as subsidies for employers who hire students or young people; $1.5 million for municipal governments taking on responsibilities transferred from the GNWT; and $500,000 in grants to welfare recipients who wish to start their own businesses.

Nunakput MLA Vince Steen criticized the plan, saying the government should spend the money instead on a few large capital projects. Without these projects, he said, the smaller communities have nothing to offer.

“It has been my experience that hamlets can only do so much towards hiring students,” Steen said. “They can only paint the graveyard and the buildings so many times until it become ridiculous.”

He said the “have-not” areas of the territories should be given more funding, instead of throwing money toward Nunavut, which is currently in a construction boom preparing for a de-centralized government.

“Those guys are going to have opportunities to expand, get in business, hire these people and have access to this program,” he said. “The federal government is already throwing $150 million that way.”

Todd said the funds were distributed to areas based on unemployment figures. He predicts the strategy will create about 1,000 short-term jobs.

And he urged private employers to do their part to help provide more long-term jobs for northeners.

“Sustainable jobs simply cannot continue to come from the government,” Todd said. “We’re going to have a tough enough time just keeping our heads above water delivering essential services.”