Legislative Assembly
The Chamber of the NWT Legislative Assembly. Submitted photo
City of Yellowknife
1 min.read

$4.8M in adjustments added to 2017-2018 NWT budget

Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi
By Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

After much debate and a lot of opposition, approval for the 2017-2018 budget finally seems near.

There was contention between cabinet and regular MLAs over the upcoming budget in recent weeks.

In the legislature Friday on Friday, Northwest Territories Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod announced $4.8 million in adjustments to the budget following long debate and much feedback from Northerners.

RELATED: NWT minister criticizes MLAs’ united stance against budget

RELATED: Yellowknifers protest cuts to Aurora College programs

The adjustments included:

  • An increase to the budget for homecare by $2.5 million.
  • $500,000 in additional funding towards the Anti-Poverty Fund, doubling the fund’s budget after criticism came that it was not meeting its demand. Last year, the fund received approximately $200 million worth of requests for funding.
  • Half a million dollars for a Youth in Crisis program.
  • A $250,000 increase in support for freight costs associated with the fishing industry. On Monday, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment committed $1.4 million to revitalizing the commercial fishing industry in Hay River.
  • $600,000 in increased funding to the Mineral Incentive Program, an incentive program for mining explorations in the territory.
  • $500,000 to increase the Community Access Road Program.

McLeod also said the GNWT will defer reductions to Aurora College’s Bachelor of Education and social work programs until a fundamental review of the college is completed.

RELATED: ‘Why did I even go back to school now?’ says Aurora College student

RELATED: Aurora College not consulted on cuts says former board member

Despite the halt on reductions, the programs will still not be accepting new students.

Several MLAs applauded the adjustments on Twitter shortly after Friday’s announcement. Final vote on the budget is scheduled for Monday.

https://twitter.com/coryvmlayknorth/status/837749939664904192

Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi
Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi

Continue Reading

You may also like



cjcd Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

GNWT releases report on public feedback for Public Services Act modernization

Northwest Territories
The Government of the Northwest Territories has released their report on public feedback gathered as part of phase two of the Public Services Act modernization initiative.

After nearly two months, Wekweèti sees boil water advisory lifted

Northwest Territories
Following nearly two months of an active boil water advisory, the Chief Environmental Health Officer has lifted the advisory for Wekweèti.

Dene leaders urge GNWT, feds to stop intercepting housing funds

Northwest Territories
Dene Nation leaders are calling for autonomy from the government of the Northwest Territories in access housing and infrastructure funding. “As we speak, there are shortages of housing in every Dene community in the N.W.T. Lots of houses are boarded up, units are boarded up too. And there's overcrowding in lots of houses, communities. There's a lot of shortages of housing — that needs to be looked at right away,” said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie.

City of Yellowknife opens Community Programs Survey

City of Yellowknife
The City of Yellowknife is asking residents to share their opinions on the future of local recreation with the 2026 Community Programs Survey.

Chief Mackenzie “hopeful” but cautious in response to major projects launch

Northwest Territories
While Indigenous leaders across the territory, including Chief Mackenzie, say they are “hopeful” about what major projects like the Mackenzie Highway could mean for the North and Indigenous communities, they are also “cautious.” “That's why we invite development, we know the world is never the same, the North most likely will never be the same. It will change, we have to accept it, but we have to respect our animals, water, air — environment as much as possible."