NUNAVUT
The new federal budget delivered June 6 is basically the same as the one tabled in March before a vote of no-confidence triggered a federal election, offering Nunavut more money to hire judges and prosecutors, and to expand adult basic education.

The federal government is pledging $4.2 million over two years to hire more judges and prosecutors to work in the territory. It also budgeted $9 million over two years to expand adult basic education programming, a move it says will ensure more employment opportunities for Northerners.

Nunavut Finance Minister Keith Peterson said he was hoping for money for housing.

"The help with additional funding for judges is welcome," he said. "(The budget) provides us with stability. Our basic level of services will continue to be maintained."

He added the Government of Nunavut will continue to lobby MP Leona Aglukkaq for more help in housing, education, infrastructure, health care, in the next budget.

Nunavut Arctic College Daniel Vandermeulen said the education investment will give the college the opportunity to start delivering programs helping adults improve their employment skills and qualifications.

"As a college, we really welcome this kind of federal investment in adult basic education in Nunavut," he said. "It's certainly something that's really needed. There's a lot of Nunavut adults who simply never had the opportunity to complete school."

The budget also contained a 15 per cent non-refundable tax credit on an amount of $3,000 for volunteer firefighters who perform at least 200 hours of service for their community. As well, Ottawa pledged $8 million over two years to promote the deployment of clean energy technologies in aboriginal and northern communities.

The temporary 15 per cent mineral exploration tax credit will be extended until March 31, 2012. Licence renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners will be waived.

The federal component of Canada Student Loans will be forgiven for new family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners working in remote communities up to a maximum of $40,000 for doctors, $20,000 for nurses.

The budget also pledged $58 million over two years for projects to improve understanding of climate change impacts. It will also support regulatory activities to address climate change, air quality and clean energy regulatory actions focusing on energy efficiency.

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