MLAs pick up speed to approve budget

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

After a gruelling four days spent debating the 2002-3 budget for the education department, the legislative assembly’s committee of the whole picked up the pace this week to complete the rest of the 11 departments.

The sixth session wrapped up Thursday, after a week of 10-hour days in regular session followed by committee of the whole.

Although no changes were made to the main estimates during committee of the whole, MLAs are allowed to ask questions of cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and assistant deputy ministers relating to specific programs and departmental goals.

The committee moved directly from the largest department, education, to the smallest: culture, language, elders and youth.

Tunnuniq MLA Jobie Nutarak requested clarification about the Canada-Nunavut language agreement, which provides money to support French and Inuktitut. The main estimates list funding for French and Inuktitut as one lump sum.

“How much money, how much of this amount is allotted for the provision of French language services, and how much is allotted for the Inuit language services?” Nutarak asked Jack Anawak, minister for culture, language, elders and youth.

Anawak said the funding is being re-negotiated, but admitted that $1.45 million goes toward French, while $1.1 million goes toward Inuktitut.

“We’re currently negotiating with the minister, Sheila Copps, on increasing the amount that’s allotted for the Inuit languages,” he said.

Nutarak also had concerns when it came to examining the budget for the department of health and social services the following day. This time, his concerns related to the perceived use of per-capita funding by the department, when the department itself has criticized that funding structure.

“The amount allocated for the local committees of council has been increased for certain communities, based on the size of the population. Members would remind the minister that on the national stage, Nunavut argues that needs-based funding is more appropriate than per-capita-based funding,” Nutarak said.

And while the main estimates deal only with operations and management funding — not capital funding — Nutarak reminded the department that the territory’s three proposed new hospitals remain mired in uncertainty.

“Members are concerned that, although progress is being made towards construction, the determination of which services will be offered and delivered in each of these facilities has yet to be addressed.”

Perhaps because capital estimates were not part of the examination, the budget for the Nunavut Housing Corporation was approved with little debate. Funding for social housing units or government staff houses was not part of the discussion.

Instead, the main estimates for O&M listed the various travel and photocopying needs of the housing corporation.

When it came time for Manitok Thompson, minister of community government and transportation, to take the witness chair, MLAs reacted favourably to the department’s allocation of block funding for municipal water and sewage projects.

Thompson is also the minister responsible for Sport Nunavut, and Kugluktuk MLA Donald Havioyak had an interesting idea for her.

“Something different from the Arctic Winter Games, but rather Inuit games across Nunavut. Yes, we are getting together with our regional communities, but they’re not really meeting as Nunavut communities. They’re just representatives from one region,” he said.

The justice department received a similarly light grilling. MLAs said they were happy with the way the system was running, and about proposed developments.

“Members were pleased to hear that funding for 14 additional RCMP officers has been allocated. This new funding will enable the detachments in Kugaaruk, Grise Fiord and Kimmirut to re-open and allow for the opening of a new detachment in Repulse Bay,” said Uqqummiut MLA David Iqaqrialu in his opening remarks.

“However, there continues to be concerns about the apparent lack of officers in the communities of Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet.”

Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk had little but good news to report, with a new Wildlife Act to be tabled this fall, and a recent increase in the price paid for sealskins.

The department represents the dreams of the government Nanulik MLA James Arvaluk said, but these dreams must become goals.

“The terrain has all this potential,” Arvaluk said of the community of Coral Harbour. “Renewable resources are there. We have limestone on our island and I hear that it’s the best type of limestone that you can get. Big game hunting for caribou is enjoyed and there’s polar bear and walrus that can be used to promote or enhance tourism. But then again, there are challenges and there has to be a change in the goals of your particular department.”

As of press-time, the departments of public works and services, finance, human resources, executive and intergovernmental affairs and the legislative assembly were still to go before the committee.