Nunavut budget attacks social problems with new spending, ministry

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A Nunavut licence plate is shown in Iqaluit in Nunavut on Sunday, March 29, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

IQALUIT, Nunavut – The government of Nunavut is tabling a sliver-thin surplus budget for the coming year.

The document also promises a significant spending shift to attack some of the territory’s persistent social problems.

There are plans for a new Ministry of Family Services, which is to focus on food security, homelessness and poverty.

The government also wants to start building new public housing again after no new units went up last year.

Finance Minister Keith Peterson says Nunavut is predicted to register a $22-million surplus on spending of $1.5 billion.

More than 90 per cent of the territory’s budget comes from federal transfers.

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