Liberal budget a step forward for Nunavut but not 'transformative'

The federal budget delivered some good news for Nunavutincluding new money for housing, a boost to Nutrition North, and an increase in the northern tax breakbutsome Inuit say they didn't receive the big bucks doled out to First Nations communities.

"Social housing is back," said Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie,referring to the $76.7 millionNunavutis getting for affordable housing in the next two years.

• Northern Residents Tax Deduction increases, more funding for Nutrition North in federal budget

• Liberal budget includes billions in new spending for aboriginal people

The Government of Nunavut had asked the federal governmentfor $525million for a five-yearhousing plan, said Keith Peterson,the territory's finance minister.

"$77 million that will probably build us, I estimate, around 140 to 150 houses, so I was pleased with that," he said.

Peterson said he'shopeful more money will come in subsequent federal budgets forNunavut's housing plan.

The budget also included ahike in the Northern Residents Tax Deduction, raising the maximum daily residency deduction to $22 from $16.50.

Peterson said he was pleasantly surprised to see theincrease, which amounts to savings for Nunavummiut.

"$3.5 millionin your back pocket, that's good for the economy, people are going to spend that money and that will support businesses in the community," he said.

He wasalso pleased to see the Nutrition North food subsidy programget aboost of$64.5 million over five years, withan additional $13.8 million per year to expand the program to all isolated Northern communities.

'A step forward'

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed described the budget as "a step forward"

Obed said the budget speaks specifically about indigenous peoples and has some large investments for First Nations on reserve.

"For Inuit, it is an improvement on previous budgets, but it is not transformative,"Obedsaid.

He said thebudget did not earmarkany money for mental health or suicide prevention for Inuit, and he hoped to see more fundingforinfrastructure in the North.

Five-hundred millionwas allocated over five years to improve broadband service in rural and remote communities.

The Government ofNunavuthad submitteda business case for $250 million over five years to upgrade and replace power plants incommunities across the territory.

The budget did include$10.7 million over two years to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to implement renewable energy projects in indigenous and Northern communities, but no specific mention of Nunavut.

"I was a little concerned I didn't hear anything in the budget for our energy," said Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson.

Patterson saidmore money may be coming for those projects after regional discussion on electrical infrastructure projects.

"I was encouraged that significant monies have been allocated for wastewater infrastructure over five years across Canada," he said.

"I'm hoping that Iqaluit's $26 millionrequest for contributions to improvingthe Iqaluit primary wastewater treatment process could be considered under that fund,"Patterson added.

Supporting victims of domestic violence

The federal budget also allocated $40 million over the next two years toward the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

"I'm pleased that there's money for the inquiry," said Rebecca Kudloo, the president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada.

Kudloo said they are waiting to see how exactly that money will be used.

"We've been asking for counselling services during and after the inquiry because it will be opening up wounds that we need to deal with," she said.

The budget also addresses the need for shelters for victims of domestic violence. Itearmarks $10.4 million over three years for renovation and construction of new shelters in First Nations communities, as well as $33.6 million over five years to support them.

Kudloo said she is hopeful that some of that money will go to Inuit.