Business Plan Government of Nunavut & Territorial Corporations
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Business Plan Government of Nunavut & Territorial Corporations 2014-2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................ .I Sivumut Abluqta: Stepping Forward Together ........................................ .II Environmental Scan ................................................................................ .III Inuit Employment Plan ........................................................................... .IV Core Business - Departments Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs ....................................... 1 Finance ........................................................................................... 17 Justice ............................................................................................ 31 Culture and Heritage ...................................................................... 61 Education ....................................................................................... 77 Health ............................................................................................. 97 Family Services .......................................................................... 109 Environment ................................................................................ 127 Community and Government Services ........................................ 147 Economic Development and Transportation ............................... 165 This page is purposely blank INTRODUCTION “Sivumut Abluqta: Stepping Forward Together” is the mandate of the Government of Nunavut. It consists of a vision, guiding principles, and priority objectives for the term of this government. It expresses a vision for 20 years from now and seeks to address the needs of Nunavummiut. Drawing guidance and direction from Sivumut Abluqta, the 2014-2017 Business Plan of the Government of Nunavut is the formal statement of the Government’s goals for the next three years. It includes the plans of ten departments and four territorial corporations. The Business Plan is a strategic and operational plan tied to the Main Estimates, which provides details of expenditures projected to be incurred. The Business Plan is introduced by Sivumut Abluqta: Stepping Forward Together. This is followed by an Environmental Scan, an Inuit Employment Plan, and Core Business sections, which detail program areas and tactical/operational priorities for the next three years. The Environmental Scan provides the context, or setting, for the operations of each department and Territorial Corporation. Their clients, challenges (constraints and pressures) and opportunities are described. The Inuit Employment Plan provides information on government-wide initiatives to support Inuit employment, as well, present an aggregated total government-wide Inuit employment targets. In this Business Plan, departments present their own individual departmental targets and initiatives as part of their Core Business. The Core Business section describes, for all departments and crown corporations, their business lines, Inuit employment targets and objectives, as well as the corresponding budgets contained in the Government of Nunavut’s 2014-2017 Main Estimates. For each line of business, a status report is provided on priorities identified for the 2013- 2014 fiscal year. New priorities for each program are outlined for 2014-2017. The Appendix for each department provides a financial summary of its operations. This information ties the Business Plan to the Main Estimates. Some departments and crown corporations have further appendices with information relevant to their operations. Electronic copies will be available on the Government of Nunavut’s website at www.gov.nu.ca. Business Plan Page I-1 This page is purposely blank Sivumut Abluqta: Stepping Forward Together Government of Nunavut Priorities This page is purposely blank. Sivumut Abluqta – Stepping Forward Together OUR VISION Looking 20 years into the future, we see a strong and prosperous territory with Nunavummiut who have a positive outlook on life – as residents of the Arctic, as Canadians and as participants in the world economy. Our vision is to have more well-educated and self-reliant Nunavummiut. We want a majority of youth to graduate from high school, college or university with the same level of capability as graduates anywhere in Canada. It is a place where Nunavummiut speak, read and write fluently in at least two languages, and live comfortably in the modern world with traditional cultures and values as a guide. We envision a demand for our renewable and non-renewable resources. It is a Nunavut where we manage and develop our resources responsibly, and one that benefits our workforce and business operators. Twenty years onwards would show us a place where physical and mental health has improved and where we are optimistic about our future. The rate of addiction and suicide has dropped dramatically, where fewer people rely on social assistance and our communities thrive economically, socially and culturally. A chapter in our future sees Nunavut engaged in stronger circumpolar relationships and greater partnership between regional Inuit organizations and Canada to build our territory’s strength and address challenges. Business Plan Page II-1 Sivumut Abluqta – Stepping Forward Together WHERE WE ARE TODAY Our People Nunavut has one of the fastest growing populations in Canada, as well as Canada’s youngest; more than 30 per cent of the population is below the age of 15. This growing, youthful population places persistent new demands on the territory’s health and education systems, housing stock, infrastructure, and economy. Inuit in Nunavut have a long history of resilience and self-sufficiency, which has been eroded through changes in the Inuit way of life over the past 50 years. Nunavummiut now face many mental health issues and social ills. Many of our young people are not attending school regularly and fail to graduate with the basic skills needed to pursue post-secondary education, training or employment. In the near term, community-based solutions must be supported to improve health, social well-being and local economies. In the long term, education and employment are key to addressing many of these issues. Education increases the options available to an individual; through employment, people have more opportunities to assist themselves, their families and the community around them. As Nunavut’s young people grow towards adulthood, our efforts must emphasize self- reliance through the development of skills and employment opportunities so that they can participate fully in the modern, global economy. Our Land Nunavut covers one-fifth of Canada’s land mass and is becoming increasingly important to our nation’s Arctic sovereignty, particularly with the projected growth of shipping in Arctic waters. Our territory is rich in wildlife, fish and other natural resources. However, Arctic ecosystems are fragile and have long recovery times. Our wildlife management and conservation efforts are under increasing scrutiny at the national and international levels. Through our innovative co-management structure, Nunavut’s natural resources need to be managed in a way that ensures economic benefit for future generations, as well as for Nunavummiut today. Page II-2 2014-2017 Sivumut Abluqta – Stepping Forward Together Our Economy Nunavut’s mixed economy has significant potential, but is currently underdeveloped. It includes traditional land use activities, a relatively large public sector, expanding mining and fisheries industries, and small sectors such as arts and crafts, film and tourism. Growth in the territory’s economy depends on the development of transportation infrastructure, the development of a robust community-based business sector, the responsible development of mineral and petroleum resources, and the development of a skilled local workforce. Employers in all sectors continue to rely on skilled labour from outside the territory. Nunavummiut need to take advantage of education and training in order to benefit from the territory’s growing economy, whether as employees or as entrepreneurs in community-based businesses. Our Territorial Government Nunavummiut expect that the territorial government reflects their values, traditional knowledge, diversity, and approach to life as residents of the Arctic. The Government of Nunavut remains committed to its role in implementing the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which ensures that beneficiaries play a significant role in managing lands and resources as well as in preserving Inuit traditions, cultures and aspirations. Collaborative partnerships with local, territorial, national, and international entities are needed to accomplish our mandate. The government has the tools that we need to continue strengthening the territory’s unique model of governance – one which integrates Inuit societal values, promotes and strengthens use of the Inuit language, achieves a representative public service, engages with circumpolar neighbours, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Business Plan Page II-3 Sivumut Abluqta – Stepping Forward Together GUIDING PRINCIPLES From its start in 1999, our government has been guided by Inuit societal values. We continue to be guided by these principles as we address our challenges and step forward together towards a brighter future: • Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: Respecting others, relationships and caring for people. • Tunnganarniq: Fostering good spirits by