Archived - Parliamentary Secretary Takes Budget 2016 Message to Canada’s North

April 1, 2016 – Iqaluit, Nunavut – Department of Finance

François-Philippe Champagne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, today met with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna in Iqaluit to discuss measures in the Government of Canada’s 2016 budget, Growing the Middle Class, that will benefit Northerners and renew the relationship with Canada’s Indigenous peoples. The Parliamentary Secretary will also be meeting with the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce during his visit.

To ensure that economic growth is shared by all Canadians, Budget 2016 takes renewed steps to give all Canadians the same opportunities to succeed, no matter who they are, or where they come from. This includes unprecedented investments in Indigenous peoples—totalling $8.4 billion over five years—in areas that include education, infrastructure and skills training.

Budget 2016 provides up to $177.7 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to provinces and territories in order to address urgent housing needs. Funding includes $76.7 million to Nunavut and further investments for the three other Inuit regions.

Budget 2016 also proposes an increase to the Northern Residents Deduction, increased funding for Nutrition North Canada, and a new Canada Child Benefit that is simpler, tax-free, better targeted, and much more generous than the current federal child benefit system. The new Canada Child Benefit will put more money in the pockets of 9 out of 10 Canadian families, and lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

The Parliamentary Secretary also discussed the Government’s historic plan to invest more than $120 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years—investments that will create a more modern and cleaner economy, a more inclusive society, and a country better positioned to compete globally.

• Backgrounder: Building a Better Future for Canada’s North
• Budget 2016: Growing the Middle Class

Annie Donolo
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-369-5697

Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-369-4000