N.W.T. assembly passes capital budget despite concerns over priorities

Members of the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly passed the capital budget Thursday night in an 11 to five vote. 

The $339 million budget was criticised by regular members who said they wouldn't support it without more investment to their priorities, particularly housing and healthcare. Members who voted against the budget pointed to those concerns, saying there isn't enough money for housing amid a housing crisis. 

Others, however, said they didn't want to see delays in projects that are funded in the budget. Projects like transmission lines in Fort Providence and Whatı, progress on the Mackenzie Valley Highway — which could prove vital as communities in the Sahtu struggle with a fuel-related affordability crisis — and long-term care facilities. 

The budget passed with cabinet voting in favour, along with MLAs Danny McNeely, Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Kate Reid and Denny Rodgers.

Voting against the budget were MLAs Robert Hawkins, Shauna Morgan, Kieron Testart, Julian Morse and George Nerysoo. 

The finance minister responded to members asking for more for housing and healthcare by committing to remove derelict housing units, reviewing rent scales for public housing, and a "notional" commitment to a three year housing plan worth $50 million.

For Frame Lake MLA Morse, the notional plan was the sticking point. He said he wants to make a plan, commit to it and be willing to fund it. 

Testart pointed to Nunavut, which he said spends a third of its capital budget on housing. 

"I think we're taking a status quo approach with a commitment to try harder," he said.

But other members spoke to projects they do want to see in this budget. 

For Weyallon Armstrong, that includes updates to the Frank Channel Bridge near Behchokǫ̀.

Rodgers, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, took a similar position.

"Housing is one of our main priorities, our top priority, but there are other priorities as well and there are things in this budget that I do want to see move forward," he said.

Voting against budget delays everything

Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek said she understands the challenges members are hearing about from constituents, and she hears about them from her constituents too. 

But she warned that voting down the budget would delay contracting, procurement and planning until at least the next legislative session in February. She said voting the budget down would also be detrimental to private investment and put projects at risk. 

"It tells everyone that we're prepared to sacrifice every single other project in here for other principled positions," she said.

Wawzonek spoke to the challenge of redirecting funds when every area of the plan is wanting for resources. 

To the issue of the "nominal" $50 million housing commitment, Wawzonek said that she believes the territory will find that money but she can't remove the word nominal and make a firm commitment if she doesn't yet know where that money will come from.

Wawzonek acknowledged that the budget is lean, considering the territory's need to increase its borrowing capacity, but added the assembly isn't going to advance its housing stock if it can't pass a budget to get supplies on the road.