National Inuit Leader sets out federal budget expectations

March 2, 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario – In anticipation of this week’s federal budget announcement, National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, today called for targeted investments in four key areas to drive improved social and economic conditions in Canada’s Arctic.

“We recognize that in this current economic climate we must all be prepared to tighten our belts,” said Simon. “But Arctic regions face unique challenges and extraordinary costs and it is incumbent on the federal government to acknowledge and respond to these financial roadblocks.

The items are part of a list of suggestions supplied to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in January.

• EDUCATION: Inuit graduation rates are the lowest in the country. There is an urgent need to provide more funding to schools in the four Inuit land claim regions (Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, Nunavik and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories) to cover the costs of Inuit-specific curriculum development and teacher training.
• HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE: The supply of affordable housing has not kept pace with the growing Inuit population. Simon urged that $1 billion in stimulus funds be devoted to the four Inuit regions, with the bulk going to new housing, replacement and maintenance, and the rest to water and sewer replacement and new transportation infrastructure.
• HEALTH: Inuit face high infant mortality rates and low life expectancy. Several health programs slated to sunset this March should be renewed and expanded, including the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Maternal Child Health Program, the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
• CLIMATE CHANGE: The effects of global warming are being felt sooner in Arctic regions and funding is required to help communities adapt. Ottawa must invest at least $50 million annually in climate change research – including investigation into alternative approaches to the use of diesel fuel in Arctic communities.

“Most importantly,” said Simon, “I hope to see reference in this budget to all four Inuit regions and clear definition of the Inuit share of broad initiatives.”