Nunavummiut get a chance to speak out on budget priorities
Iqaluit (Nov 08/99) - Armchair finance ministers around the territory should start to fine-tune their budget speeches because they're about to be provided a forum in which to speak.
Kicking off Monday, Nov. 8, and wrapping up at the end of the month, regular MLAs and ministers will be touring each and every one of Nunavut's municipalities to hear what residents have to say about money.
"What we're going to do is give people an idea of exactly where we're getting our revenues from, where we spend our money, and try to educate the public at large on the government's predicament with constraints on our funding," said Minister of Finance Kelvin Ng of the upcoming pre-budget consultation tours.
Divided into six teams of two MLAs and one minister, the 19 representatives will hit all 26 communities and listen to what Nunavummiut see as budgetary priorities. The point, Ng said, is to put together a budget that is less status quo and more geared towards the real needs of the territory's residents.
"The real focus is to try and get feedback from the from the public on what they see as priorities from the community, regional and territorial perspective," he said.
Once the data is collected, the Department of Finance will incorporate the suggestions into the budget, thereby laying the foundation for a more appropriate monetary framework to be delivered at the beginning of the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
And not to worry -- the tours won't break the bank.
"It'll cost approximately $50,000 to $70,000. That's going to cover transportation, accommodations, meeting halls and some interpreting," said Ng.
Dates for the tours follow, but the GN has asked that residents contact their local hamlet offices to confirm dates, times and details about presenting a formal submission.
|
Nov. 8 Cambridge Bay Pond Inlet Arviat Whale Cove
Nov. 9
Nov. 10
| Nov. 12 Rankin Inlet, Pelly Bay Pangnirtung
Nov. 15
Nov. 16
Nov. 17
Nov. 18
| Nov. 22 Cape Dorset Iglulik
Nov. 23
Nov. 24
Nov. 25
Nov. 26 |
