Briefs and Analysis

Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories

originally posted May 28, 2009 - reposted September 3, 2010

Alternatives North looks at poverty reduction policies and programs in the NWT in a new paper produced as part of a Social Development Report Series, commissioned by the Canadian Council on Social Development. "Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories" author, Jeffrey Wilson, highlights the disparities between those who made economic gains in the past decade and those who are bearing the social costs of Canada's fastest growing economy. The paper calls for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy so all NWT citizens can share in the potential and promise of the NWT.

Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs: Northwest Territories
Report
News Release

Response to NWT Heritage Fund Public Consultation

posted June 8, 2010

Alternatives North responds in favour of proposed heritage fund in order to support intergenerational equity of revenues from extraction of non-renewable resources. This submission was written in response to a consultation report by GNWT.

Response to GNWT Health Care Benefits Consultation

posted April 9, 2010

Alternatives North is calling on the GNWT to ensure access to supplemental health care benefits is universal and paid for through the tax system, not by co-payments or premiums schemes that create a tax on sickness and disability.

Please read the news release and our response to the Supplemental Health Benefits paper.

Submission on Revenue Options Consultation

posted November 10, 2009

Alternatives North prepared a written submission to the GNWT Department of Finance in response to its 2009 consultation on revenue options. Read our recommendations.

NWT Budget Report

posted September 26, 2009

Alternatives North, in co-operation with PSAC North and PSAC NWT Area Council, commissioned "NWT Budget Report 2009," to make recommendations to the Government of the Northwest Territories on means by which it can effectively and wisely stimulate economic activity. Beside the report, there is a news release and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation used in a public presentation by report authors, David Thompson and Diana Gibson.

Formal Budget Analysis

posted June 19, 2008

In response to the public release of the Government of the Northwest Territories' 2008-2009 budget, Alternatives North has prepared a formal review. Alternatives North continues to have significant concerns about the content of the document, and particularly the closed process that led up to its drafting.

Preliminary Budget Analysis

posted May 25, 2008

The Government of the Northwest Territories has tabled its 2008-09 budget. Alternatives North has significant concerns about the content of this document, and the process that led up to it. We plan to prepare a formal review of the budget shortly but want to offer preliminary commentary now.
This commentary should be read in the context of the pre-budget analysis paper authored by David Thompson of the Parkland Institute.

Response to Government

posted May 22, 2008

This report provides a response to the government's arguments in the media about the economic analysis of proposed budget cuts.

Stakeholder Report on Government Cutbacks

posted May 16, 2008

This report investigates the perceptions and concerns related to the proposed territorial budget cuts amongst organizations at the Territorial and Regional levels.

Parkland Report On NWT Public Service Cuts

posted May 6, 2008

Alternatives North, in conjunction with the Union of Northern Workers and the Public Service Alliance of Canada, will be releasing a report prepared by the Parkland Institute of the University of Alberta entitled Public Service Cuts in the Northwest Territories: Economic Imperative or Political Choice? The report is an economic analysis of the Government of the Northwest Territories' financial position and the underlying economy of the Northwest Territories.

Comments on Diamonds are Forever: Our Mines Are Not

posted Mar 28, 2008

In November 2007, Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic, the Honourable Dennis Bevington, published a discussion paper (external link) about the diamond industry in the Northwest Territories. He invited feedback and Alternatives North responded with a detailed commentary.

Concerns with McCrank Review

posted Mar 27, 2008

Neil McCrank has been commissioned by the federal government to review and make recommendations on the regulatory review process in the Northwest Territories. Alternatives North has some concerns about the process and possible outcome. Read our submission here. (The submission to the MGP Environmental Review Process cited in the McCrank submission can be found here.)

Poverty: A Whispered Word in the NWT

posted May 15, 2007

A report on the Income Security Review in the context of the GNWT's Strategic Plan "Building on Our Successes 2005-2015".

Stop the National Child Tax Benefit Supplement Clawback. Discussion Paper prepared for the Minister of Education Culture & Employment.

Economic Roadmap for the Northwest Territories

posted December 15, 2006

Alternatives North's submission to the "Roadmap" stage of the current macro-economic consultation process of the GNWT.

High Cost of Living

Brief presented to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight.
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
August 18, 2006

Child Care Report

Investing in Our Future.
The Alternatives North NWT Child Care Survey

Northern Strategy

Discussion Paper

Consultation Guide Book Series

Commentary on the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment Strategic Planning Consultation Guide Book Series

Energy Strategy for the NWT

Commentary on the discussion paper produced by the Government of the Northwest Territories "Towards an Energy Strategy for the NWT"

Pre-Budget Consultation Report

Pre-Budget Consultation Report

Standing Committee on Accountability and Operations

Speaking notes from Ben McDonald's presentation at a public consultation session of the GNWT Standing Committee on Accountability and Operations. The notes are based on the standing position of Alternatives North about the essential components of a fair tax regime in the NWT and in Canada.