Government outlines agreement on 2017-18 operating budget

News Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (March 3, 2017) – Minister of Finance Robert C. McLeod today outlined further adjustments by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to the proposed 2017-18 operating budget.

Changes proposed in a statement today by the Minister include increased funding for homecare, a program for youth in crisis, additional funding for the Anti-Poverty Fund, Mineral Incentive Program, Community Access Road Program and for freight costs associated with the fishing industry.

Minister McLeod also announced that the GNWT has decided to defer reductions related to the Aurora College Teacher Education Program and Social Work Program pending the completion of a foundational review of Aurora College.

The proposed adjustments reflect the input and recommendations offered by Members of the Legislative Assembly throughout the budget debate. The new adjustments are in addition to $15.4 million in adjustments to the budget made by the GNWT prior to the introduction of the 2017-18 Main Estimates, based on input received from Standing Committees during their review of draft business plans and Main Estimates last fall.

Quotes

“Cabinet has listened carefully to our constituents and Members as this budget has been debated. We have made significant adjustments to the 2017-18 operating budget based on what we have heard and are confident that together we have developed a good budget that will let us advance the priorities of the Legislative Assembly and fulfill the GNWT’s mandate commitments.”
- Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Finance

Quick Facts

  • The GNWT is proposing to spend over $1.7 billion on its operations in the 2017-18 fiscal year and another $266 million on infrastructure.
  • Including forced growth, the 2017-2018 budget has $55 million in increased investment.
  • The GNWT expects to spend $1 billion on departments delivering social programs to the people of the NWT. Twenty-six (26%) of this year’s budget will go to Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment will receive 19 percent of the budget.
  • The 2017-18 budget marks the first time since 2012-13 that the GNWT’s short term borrowing has not increased.

Related Links

Media Contact:

Andrew Livingstone
Senior Cabinet Communications Advisor
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-766-9104 ext. 11090
Email: andrew_livingstone@gov.nt.ca