According to an ITK news release, it is encouraging and constructive that this year’s budget utilizes an Inuit Nunangat fiscal policy based on direct federal allocations to Inuit.
The following Inuit-specific investments proposed in Budget 2018 are notable:
$400 million over 10 years to support an Inuit-led housing plan in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and Inuvialuit. This is in addition to the $240 million over 10 years announced in Budget 2017 to support housing in Nunavut, where additional funding was provided for Inuit housing.
$27.5 million over five years to eliminate tuberculosis in Inuit Nunangat, including through support of ITK’s Inuit-specific approach to tuberculosis elimination.
$82 million over 10 years, with $6 million per year ongoing, for the co-creation of a permanent Inuit Health Survey.
Funding will build capacity in Inuit communities to develop and collect survey information and support Inuit self-determination in setting the research agenda in their regions and communities.
In addition, this year’s budget proposes to invest $161.2 million over five years in the Inuit stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, which supports employment services, skills development, and job training.
According to the release, ITK is looking forward to beginning work on the next step of the Inuit Health Survey. Further, ITK recognises that the 2018 budget represents a step in the right direction.
OK radio will have more information on ITK’s reaction to the federal budget when it becomes available.