Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 19/01) - The fifth session of the first legislative assembly of Nunavut opened with good news about the economy.

Newly-minted sergeant-at-arms Simonak Kilabuk placed the mace in its cradle at 1:30 p.m. sharp Wednesday, officially opening the session.

Finance Minister and Government House Leader Kelvin Ng did most of the talking during the brief afternoon sitting.

Ng provided an update on Nunavut's fiscal situation, and tabled the government's capital budget for the next fiscal year.

"Nunavut's short-term fiscal situation has improved considerably," Ng told MLAs.

He credited the healthier balance sheet to "a larger-than-anticipated accumulated surplus at the end of our first year," in addition to higher-than-expected revenues in 2001, and increased transfers from Ottawa.

The government plans to spend $70.3 million on capital projects this year, including a new hospital in Iqaluit and two regional health centres for Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.

The hospital and regional health centres are "vital for Nunavut," said Ng.

Following the mid-term cabinet review, the assembly resumes sitting Monday. Ng said the government hopes to pass its money bills, table a report on proposed changes to the Liquor Act, and amend the Municipal Act and Income Tax Act.

The legislature is expected to finish the session Nov. 30. However, MLAs have agreed to sit until Dec. 6, if necessary.

"It depends on how things go," Ng said.