NUNAVUT

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered his government's budget in the House of Commons in Ottawa on March 22, a budget that has a little something for everyone.

Money to hire judges and prosecutors and to expand adult basic education programming, a volunteer firefighter tax credit and some student loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses working in remote communities are some of the federal budget highlights.

For Nunavummiut specifically, the federal government will invest an additional $4.2 million over two years to hire judges and prosecutors in the territory. It will invest $9 million over two years to expand adult basic education programming, a move it says will increase employment opportunities for Northerners. And volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 hours of service for their community will be eligible for a $3,000 tax credit.

"I think Northerners will react positively to the budget," said Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq.

"This is yet another great budget for the North. I can say we have not cut any programs for the North. We have made significant investment. The opposition members … will have to explain to people in Canada's Arctic and Nunavummiut why they are not supporting these important investments to the North."

She would not speculate if a Conservative government would retable the same budget after an election.

Aglukkaq highlighted the extension of the temporary 15 per cent mineral exploration tax credit until March 31, 2012.

"We know how important that is to industry in the North," she said. "I think that will be well received from the industry in the North and organizations that are promoting development in the North."

She added the licence renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners will be waived.

"I think for any hunter in the North that will be welcomed news," she said.

And new family physicians working in remote communities will see the federal component of Canada Student Loans forgiven, up to a maximum of $40,000 and up to $20,000 for nurses and nurse practitioners.

"This is our initiative to promote more doctors and more nurses in rural and remote communities in Canada," said Aglukkaq.

Although Hal Timar, the executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the budget appeals to a wide base of people, he thinks we're headed into an election.

"It appears there will be an election in our future because none of the parties were willing to give their support for the budget as it stands," he said. "That came through the Canadian Chamber (of Commerce), who was part of the budget consultation. There were told none of the parties were willing to support the budget as it stood."

He added the budget is, for the most part, positive.

"There's nothing, from our first look at it, there doesn't seem to be any bad news for the North," he said.

He added the mining exploration tax credit will stimulate ongoing exploration, meaning people would continue to invest and hire.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.