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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The GNWT's minister of Finance is embarking on a regional tour to consult people in advance of February's territorial budget.

Michael Miltenberger: Consultations on budget not a PR stunt.

"This is the first time we have taken our regular budget consultations to all of the regional centres," said Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger. "We are asking for NWT residents' advice and support to make the tough choices to build a strong, sustainable future for our territory.

"We need to have a frank dialogue about which programs and services are most important, how we can make our government more effective and efficient, and which strategic investments are required to develop a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities."

Miltenberger said his three previous budgets were preceded by roundtable consultations in Yellowknife and people were invited to attend from other communities.

"Now, as we move forward, it seemed like an opportune time to reflect on was that the best way to do it. It seemed that we could engage with more Northerners if we in fact went to the regional centres," he said, noting the government is working with the NWT Association of Communities to bring representatives of smaller communities to the regional centres.

The consultations will be held in Inuvik (Sept. 17), Norman Wells (Sept. 18), Fort Simpson (Sept. 19), Fort Smith (Sept. 24), Hay River (Sept. 25), Behchoko (Oct. 1) and Yellowknife (Oct. 23).

"Clearly, we want to reach as many Northerners as possible," Miltenberger said. "You can't do it if you just stay in Yellowknife. So the logical next step was to take the process on the road to the regions."

The finance minister said it won't be a case of going to a community and asking for its wish list. Instead, he explained, he will clearly lay out the fiscal realities facing the territorial government and the challenges to manage money, debt, program pressures and capital issues.

Miltenberger described the overall question to be asked as: "How as a territory do we make the $1.5 billion we do have work effectively?"

The GNWT has laid out a broad fiscal strategy, he noted, explaining that includes growth capped at three per cent, expenditures controlled as rigorously as possible and carefully targetted short-term debt.

"We're doing everything that we need to do to protect the programs and services, but clearly we still have challenges," he said. "There are pressures and requests every day from every point on the compass for program work."

Miltenberger dismissed any suggestion the regional consultations might be just a public relations initiative.

"I'm not spending two weeks or so of my life going into the regions to meet with as many Northerners as possible as a cosmetic exercise," he said, noting a commitment has been made to MLAs to add feedback to discussions on the main estimates and the business plan for the budget.

The regional consultations will cost about $100,000.

"I think it's a worthwhile investment," Miltenberger said. "One of the big costs is bringing the folks in from the smaller communities into the regional centres."

Such regional consultations will take place for the next three budgets.

Newton Grey, president of the Inuvik Chamber of Commerce, thinks the budget consultations are a fabulous idea.

"I think it is important that government stay in tune with the people," he said.

Grey said he's optimistic the government will listen to the concerns of the people.

"The way I see this is, even if I take the worst-case scenario and say it's a PR campaign, it tells me they are aware of the need to be in touch with the people and stay in tune with the people," he said. "That's a step in the right direction. The people have a responsibility that we use the opportunity well."

Grey is concerned the GNWT may be heading towards budget cuts.

"I'm conscious of the need to be fiscally prudent, but I'm happy that we're having dialogue now because sometimes what seems smart when you're sitting in Ottawa or when you're sitting in Yellowknife might be the dumbest thing when you're sitting in Inuvik," he said.

In Fort Smith, Sonny MacDonald, a former president of the NWT Arts Council, also welcomes the budget consultations.

"I do like the idea that the government is now finding that it's just not the bureaucrats that are making decisions," he said. "It's the people that are affected in the long term that are going to have their two cents' worth put in there."

MacDonald's main concern is support for arts in the territory.

"Everyone knows that the arts and crafts is a resource in the territories, and, if they're going to use that as a resource, then they should put their money in that resource to help it along and not just give them piecemeal dollars," he said.

MacDonald is worried about the possibility of cuts in the territorial budget.

"It's a very good possibility," he said. "They don't really tell us anything until it's done."

Aside from the regional consultations, the budget dialogue will continue until Oct. 24 and feedback can be sent by letter or e-mail.

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