RANKIN INLET - Communities will no longer have to apply on a project-by-project basis to access Community Initiative funding, said Robert Connelly of the department of Economic Development and Transportation.

The Coral Harbour caribou harvest on Southampton Island has been partially funded by the Community Initiatives program every year of its existence. - photo courtesy of Louise Dornez

Connelly appeared before a regular meeting of Rankin Inlet's hamlet council this past month to detail changes to the Community Initiatives program (CIP).

Connelly said the total allocation of $190,000 will now be transferred outright to the individual municipalities.

He said the money is to assist the communities in supporting an economic development officer, as well as to implement community economic development plans currently being developed.

"Rankin now has a community economic-development (CED) plan, which never existed before," said Connelly.

"That was one reason why we had to review applications on a case-by-case basis.

"There wasn't any long-term vision or planning in place, but now there is and the plan identifies a number of specific projects that the community wants to fund.

"That put us in a position to hand over the funding and allow them to implement their planning."

Connelly said the communities are welcoming the change.

He said although everyone still refers to the pot of money as CIP funding, the program really no longer exists.

"The CIP has been integrated into the policy on program partnerships, which includes a category on community capacity building.

"That section is how we fund the $190,000.

"As part of the funding agreement, the hamlet not only has to provide us with a copy of its CED plan, it also has to list at the beginning of the year the projects it wants to fund for the fiscal year.

"If something were to change during the year, we would ensure it met the criteria and, if not, advise the hamlet it's not acceptable because it's not in accordance with the policy under which the initial agreement was signed."

Connelly said the amount allocated to the EDO's position is determined by the hamlet and depends on a number of variables in each community.

He said some hamlets may have higher benefits and a lower salary, while others may be just the opposite.

"They set the salary and we monitor it to ensure one EDO isn't making $50,000 a year more than another when they all work from, basically, the same job description.

"The EDO position would be included in the budget submitted to us at the start of the year.

"Every Kivalliq community spends between $80,000 to just over $90,000 annually on their EDOs."

Connelly said the biggest benefit of the approach is having the decision making in a community's hands, which allows it to set its own priorities instead of having that decided at the territorial level or through various agencies.

He said communities have demonstrated the capacity to develop multi-year economic plans, and are holding the government accountable in assisting them to implement those plans

"Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet have also completed their economic development plans, while Coral Harbour expects to have it done by the end of May.

"Repulse Bay, Whale Cove and Arviat are in the early stages of developing their plans."