Nunavut Premier, P.J. Akeeagok and Finance Minister, Lorne Kusugak, welcome Canada’s investments in housing for Nunavut through their 2022 Budget, “A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable”, presented yesterday by the federal government’s Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland.
“The 2022 federal budget which has been dubbed, the housing budget, shares the same central priority as the Government of Nunavut’s Katujjiluta mandate, a commitment to make affordable housing accessible,” said Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, “I am optimistic that with meaningful investments and a commitment to collaboration between the Government of Canada, Nunavut’s Inuit Organizations and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami we can address our territory’s growing housing and infrastructure gap.”
“We appreciate the Government of Canada’s continued investments to address the critical infrastructure needs of Nunavummiut. Canada’s budget provides money to the Government of Nunavut and to Inuit Organizations to tackle this shortfall. We are excited for the opportunity to work with our partners at NTI and ITK to provide housing for Inuit in our territory,” said Nunavut Minister of Finance, Lorne Kusugak.
The 2022 federal budget announced several commitments relevant to Nunavut, including:
- $60 million over two years to invest in affordable housing and related infrastructure
- Various tax measures to encourage first-time home buyers
- $227.6 million to maintain trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, indigenous-led services to improve mental wellness
- $190 million to help Indigenous communities and organizations mitigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19
- $15 Million over five years to support indigenous economic development in the North
- Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit
The federal budget makes efforts to tackle important issues in Nunavut including a chronic lack of housing and other infrastructure, the painful legacy of residential schools, and climate change.
