Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 06/98) - If you live in one of seven Eastern Arctic communities, the GNWT wants to know where your cash goes.

Later this month, the territorial government's Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development will commence a household spending survey.

The survey, to start mid-July, is believed to be the first of its kind in the Eastern Arctic.

The information will be used by RWED and the Nunavut government after division, to better understand the Nunavut economy and to generate baseline economic statistics.

It "will provide a descriptive statistical background and framework for developing Nunavut-specific policies and programs," Letia Cousins, RWED economic modelling specialist, said.

This the first survey of its kind in Nunavut.

Surveyors will visit households in Arctic Bay, Cambridge Bay, Cape Dorset, Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven, Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet in mid-July to ask for participation.

Participation is confidential. Data will be released as community averages.

Participating households will have a chance to win $100 worth of groceries. The draw will be conducted in each of the seven communities.

The survey has two parts:

*An initial survey asking about income, employment, hunting and expenditures on items like snowmachines, furniture and child-care expenses.

*The second part of the survey will ask about items purchased more often, like groceries. This will be recorded in a diary over five weeks.