Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Dec 13/99) - Finance Minister Kelvin Ng said the recent budget tours that were organized by the Government of Nunavut in November went very well.

"I'd say from very good to excellent," said Ng, of the trips that saw all 19 MLAs and cabinet ministers on the road in Nunavut's three regions soliciting input from residents before the next budget was set in stone.

Ng noted that residents generally named housing, education and health and social services as their top three priorities, but he said the topic of elders and youth was raised more than once.

"The surprising one I thought was people's mention of the need for elders and youth program support. A lot of people spoke about that and about the need to tie that in to other government programs," he said.

The minister explained that a summary of the visits would be drawn up in the coming weeks and would likely be presented to the public at some kind of gathering or assembly.

As well, he again committed his department to developing Nunavut's coming budget with the priorities of the territory's residents in mind.

"We have to work hand in hand and tie some of this stuff in," he said.

He added that community residents appeared to appreciate that the GN took the time and effort to hear their concerns and issues and Ng said the approximated $70,000 price tag of the travelling money show was worth it.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that we'll do it on an annual basis, but the first one has proven valuable.