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Aglukkaq comes North
for federal budget input
Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, January 23, 2012
Aglukkaq visited the territorial capital from Jan. 16 to 18 as part of cross-country pre-budget consultations to gauge people's priorities in terms of stimulating development in the territory. She said dealing with pressing issues - the huge shortage of housing as well as training, development and increasing health funding are her priorities. "We will not cut health transfers to jurisdictions and we've honoured our commitment to that." One immediate concern is jobs, said Aglukkaq, citing the potential openings with the Mary River iron ore project near Pond Inlet and more potential mines near Baker Lake. "What can I do to support people take advantage of some of those opportunities before us," said Aglukkaq. "Nunavummiut want to participate in job training opportunities, particularly in the mining sector. We've heard from industry, they want a streamlined regulatory process." One of the people around the table was Hal Timar, the executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce. He said, amongst other things, they discussed training, job opportunities, youth engagement as well as connectivity, especially through broadband, and its impact on community wellness. "I think the meeting went very well," he said, adding whenever these exercises are done, one hopes the comments are heard, well received and have an impact in the end. "I think the minister was on the same page. The things we want, we hope, see the light of day but it is tough to get concessions for a relatively small population in a bigger country." As for the concerns and suggestions of her constituents in the various communities, Aglukkaq said she gathered those during various trade shows and teleconferences in the past few months. Aglukkaq will convey the suggestions heard from across the territory to her Northern caucus colleagues and to Jim Flaherty, the federal finance minister. "In the previous budgets we've done consultations in, in areas important to the North, the North has done quite well," she said. "We need to be strategic in how and where we spend our resources."
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