IQALUIT - Children and youth, reducing poverty and helping communities become self-reliant will be the priorities of the Nunavut government over the next two years, according to the latest Throne Speech, but achieving these goals will mean running a deficit.

Premier Eva Aariak's government has announced its priorities for the next two years, focused on children, food and shelter. The goals will require the government to run a deficit. - NNSL file photo

Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias delivered the Throne Speech on Feb. 28, opening the Third Session of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.

The territorial government will focus on early childhood development and daycare as well as partner with communities to reduce poverty, the speech stated. It added food insecurity "can be addressed without delay," with the government supporting the distribution of country foods and launching a program to help communities upgrade, replace or repair their community freezers.

It also pledged to ensure the Nunavut Housing Corporation is equipped to build the public housing units already promised.

"We are committed to completing all the houses that were deemed to be completed from the beginning and we're sticking with that number," said Premier Eva Aariak.

As for large capital projects, such as airports, Nunavut plans to finance these projects in co-operation with the federal government and the private sector.

But all these promises come at a cost.

"There is no denying that the current fiscal situation is tight, to the point where the Minister of Finance will need to introduce a deficit budget to ensure that all programs and services can continue to be delivered," stated Elias when delivering the Throne Speech.

A deficit does not mean layoffs are inevitable, said Aariak, but increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the government processes and structures through a streamlined approach will be necessary.

"The bottom line is … we want to ensure that program and services continue and continue improving," said Aariak "Within the government, we have to ensure we are running effectively and efficiently as much as possible in regards to using dollars and so on."

Finance Minister Keith Peterson would not disclose the deficit amount before the budget speech March 1.

"You can only got so far before you run out of money. We have to look at how to contain that," he said.

Other priorities for the territorial government include developing a Public Health Act, a Public Service Act, enacting legislation to create a Child and Youth Representative and develop a position on uranium mining once it hears from residents during public forums starting this March.

The speech also stated devolution, or the transfer of the right to pass laws regarding the management of land and resources to the territorial government, is "essential" for Nunavut.

Aariak said Nunavut is ready for devolution and is waiting for the federal government to send a negotiator.

"It is very important especially when the rest of Canada, as well as the two other territories, are engaged in reaping the benefits on resource development," she said. "Time is the essence and I think the time is now to start that."

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