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Aglukkaq announces tourism money Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, October 17, 2011
While announcing these initiatives in the city on Oct. 11, she faced question concerning an internal audit, conducted by the federal comptroller general, recently obtained by national media that showed serious financial mismanagement in that agency. Media reported the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) had not established a financial management framework, and had violated protocol concerning expense control, contract management, credit card usage, travels and hospitality for its guests.
"It is a draft audit," said Aglukkaq during the press conference, who added she has not yet seen the draft audit herself.
Aglukkaq said she has no timeline as to when the final audit by the Comptroller General would be ready.
"We take every audit very seriously. Whatever is outlined in that audit, we will be addressing through an implementation plan," she said. "I am looking forward to receiving the final version of it and we will address the issues that have been raised. Of course, I cannot speak to the issues because I haven't read it myself."
The Auditor General of Canada, an independent body holding the federal government accountable for its management and usage of public funds, has the authority to audit government agencies and departments around Canada. Aglukkaq said she'd support an audit if the Auditor General decided one was necessary.
The initiatives Nunavut's MP came North to announce included more than $2.6 million to be doled out to Nunavut Tourism over four years, including $1.7 million from CanNor, and $329,000 from the territorial government. Nunavut Tourism will also invest $411,000.
The money will fund the inaugural tourism conference next March in Iqaluit, support a visitor-exit survey, bring European tour operators to see Nunavut's tourism opportunities and potential as well as update the Nunavut Tourism website.
She also announced funding for two cultural-related initiatives.
To support the ongoing implementation of the Sanaugait and Ukkusiksaqtarvik arts and crafts strategies, CanNor will invest $567,400 over two years. This includes supporting a travelling Nunavut art bank, enhancing the Authentic Nunavut brand through targeted advertising and continuing the development of a Nunavut artist database, stated information provided by the federal government. Ukkusiksaqtarvik includes a review of the territory's carving stone supply system while Sanaugait seeks to establish a long-term arts policy in the territory.
The Nunavut Film Development Corporation will receive $617,000 over two years from CanNor to train Nunavummiut with film production skills so they can work with production companies coming to the territory to film. The money will also be used for other initiatives, including the creation of marketing materials to promote the territory as a "world-class film production centre" with trained workers, according to information provided by the federal government.
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