Yellowknife (Feb 19/03) - Only two hours after the 2003 federal budget was unveiled, NWT Finance Minister Joe Handley expressed predictable disappointment.

Federal Budget Highlights $1.3 billion over five years to support First Nations health care $935 million over five years to increase access to child care $320 million over five years to enhance existing affordable housing agreements. Total: $1 billion by 2007 - 2008 $270 million over two years to continue to fight homelessness $172.5 million over 11 years to support aboriginal culture and language. $24 million over two years for aboriginal policing programs. $16 million over two years for Northern science. $20 million for aboriginal business development. $2 billion over five years to implement Kyoto Accord $74 million over two years to establish 10 new national parks and marine conversation areas $800 million per year of new military funding A reduction in travellers security charge for air travel within Canada from $12 to $7 for a one-way trip, $24 to $14 for a round-trip Budget increases spending by 11.5 per cent source: Department of Finance

"There is nothing to address the unique situations in the North," said Handley.

Specifically, he cited infrastructure, health care and housing funding as not recognizing the special needs of Northern communities.

"It's disappointing again to see our federal government not acknowledging what is going on up here," said Handley.

"For Northerners they will get the same breaks on issues like the airport security tax, RRSP's, the child benefit tax (etc.). There is nothing special for the North."

Handley was not the only one criticizing the federal budget.

Northern Territories Federation of Labour president Bob Haywood said the funding amounts to very little when it is stripped down to the basics.

He referred to infrastructure funding as an "insult."

According to the labour federation, it amounts to a mere $5 million a year for each major Canadian municipality. An estimated $57 billion is needed to address infrastructure concerns across the nation.

Haywood also called the $340 million allocated to clean up contaminated federal sites insignificant when an estimated $250 million is needed for the Giant Mine site alone.

Lani Cooke, executive director of the Yellowknife Association for Community for Living, praised a $193 million injection to help improve employability skills for people with disabilities.

However, she said the money will not help the North.

"There has been a real problem with the three Northern governments accessing federal dollars for employability," said Cooke.

For every dollar the territories take in funding to improve employability training for people with disabilities they lose a dollar in federal transfer payments.

Budget 'for all Canadians'

Western Arctic Liberal MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, defended the budget as a document aimed at all Canadians.

She said that federal budgets are not drawn up for specific regions,.

"This budget is for all Canadians. We (Northerners) are Canadians aren't we," she said.

The federal government has contributed more dollars to Northern research, aboriginal policing, and aboriginal culture and language.

Blondin-Andrew said the funding will be of significant value to the NWT.

She added that she expects additional health care dollars to be added to the federal government's per capita funding proposal that was rejected earlier this month.

A meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Ottawa between the three territorial premiers and Prime Minister Jean Chretien to further address health care funding.

Despite Blondin-Andrew's assurances, Handley did not budge on his criticism.

Handley said the $16 million for Northern science will help the Polar Continental Shelf research project.

The $172 million over 11 years for aboriginal languages is also good, but will have "marginal" benefit.

"Again, nothing different than what aboriginal people will get anywhere else," said Handley.

"This budget has no recognition of the North at all," he said.

The NWT is looking at a $106 million deficit this year and a $77 million deficit next year. Most of the blame for that has been attributed to unequal treatment of the territory by Ottawa.

Blondin-Andrew rejects that claim. "We have federally chosen fiscal prudence. We don't ask them (the NWT) to get into a deficit budget that's the choice of the government of the day."