Nunavut MLAs begin working through new capital budget

Nunavut's capital budget for the coming year was presented in the legislature Monday afternoon, spelling out infrastructure spending for everything from schools and arenas to sewage lagoons.

MLAs began their review of the budget with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation. Minister George Kuksuk said the department has a budget of almost $36 million for capital projects in 2014-2015.

About $30 million of that is dedicated to the new Iqaluit Airport Project. Kuksuk says construction will start in April. He says over 40 per cent of air travel in Nunavut is through the Iqaluit airport and the current one is nearing the end of its life cycle.

Other projects announced included a regional visitor centre for Rankin Inlet. The Kivalliq Region is the only region without one. There is also money for maintenance of visitor centres in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung and Cambridge Bay.

Kuksuk also announced $500,000 for minor improvements to marine infrastructure,  including sealift areas. But he says any major development is the responsibility of the federal government, same as in the rest of Canada.