Yellowknife — April 1, 2022
The Members of the 19th Legislative Assembly have approved the Main Estimates for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Initially presented on February 22, the Main Estimates proposed to spend $2.1 billion on programs and services in 2022-23. Over the past several weeks, Ministers and senior officials presented the individual budgets for each GNWT department and agency in the Legislative Assembly.
The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight reviewed the main estimates and identified areas where enhanced funding was appropriate to better align programs and services with the needs of NWT residents and business and priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly. As a result, Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek has committed to including additional funding for housing programs and heritage centres to address these areas, as well as spending reductions and opportunities for new revenues. This additional funding will enhance programs and services for all residents and communities in the Northwest Territories.
Quote(s)
“Budget 2022-2023 was developed for the best interests of all regions and residents of the Northwest Territories. It will allow all communities, people, and organizations to have access to funding for projects and programs that will improve social outcomes and give all communities access to funding to improve infrastructure and services based on local needs.
“I want to express my thanks to the work done by the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight in their review of the main estimates. The questions asked throughout the process help Ministers better align the functioning of programs and services for the people we all serve.
“Through these conversations we have arrived at a budget that will enhance program delivery in the true spirit of consensus government for the benefit of all residents, and that is reflective of the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.”
- Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance
Quick facts
- Minister Wawzonek has committed to an additional $6.7 million in spending for 2022-23 that will be included in a supplementary appropriation during the May/June sitting of the Legislative Assembly. This includes:
- an additional $4 million per year in ongoing funding for Housing Northwest Territories;
- one-time funding in 2022-2023 of $2.2 million for homeless shelters; and
- $500 thousand in ongoing funding to NWT-based heritage centres.
- Additional commitments by Minister Wawzonek include:
- New procedures for multi-year funding agreements that allow for inflationary increases for non-government organizations who deliver core government programs or services on behalf of the government;
- Increasing the tobacco tax as soon as possible to make the NWT one of the highest taxed jurisdictions in Canada to address high levels of tobacco consumption and raise between $3-3.5 million annually; and
- targeted expenditure reductions to contract services across the GNWT to raise an additional $2.4 million annually.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Todd Sasaki
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories