Nunavut Premier proposes doubling child benefits
The Government of Nunavut is proposing a $2.47 billion operating budget for 2026-27, which would represent an eight per cent increase.
MLAs still need to debate and vote on the proposed budget before it’s approved.
Delivering the budget in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly on May 25, Premier John Main said he wants to double the Nunavut Child Benefit, which is currently Canada’s lowest, at an average of $700 per year.
Last year, the Government of Nunavut spent $2.2 million on the Canada Child Tax Benefit top up, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
“This is direct support aimed at helping lower-income families manage rising costs, because even modest assistance can make a real difference for families where every dollar matters,” Main said.
Additionally, the GN is proposing to increase the child tax refund every year to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The Department of Health would receive $663 million under the proposed budget, up by nearly $83 million from last year.
“This includes additional staffing to respond to Nunavut’s suicide crisis,” Main said. “It also includes investments in physician services, long-term care contracted services and operational funding to begin the phased opening of the new Aqqusariaq addictions and trauma treatment facility so Nunavummiut who need help can access it closer to home.”
Education funding would increase to $310 million if the budget passes, up by $20 million from last year. It would include $6 million for teachers’ salaries. A new high school in Taloyoak, as well as schools in Coral Harbour and Arctic Bay are part of the Department of Education’s budget.
The Nunavut Student Financial Assistance Program would see an additional $14.5 million in funding under the proposed budget.
“Nunavut must continue building a future where more Nunavut jobs are filled by Nunavummiut,” Main said.
Family Services would see an increase of $23.3 million, on top of the $229 million allotted last year.
Nunavut Housing Corporation would receive $296 million in operating funding, an increase of $11 million from last year, and another $87.2 million in capital funding.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure would receive $281 million, up 7.2 per cent from the previous year. That includes advancing the Rankin Inlet air terminal building and other airport upgrades elsewhere, runway resurfacing in Rankin Inlet, fuel tank farm work in Arviat, water and sewer main replacement projects, fibre connectivity improvements, as well as municipal water, wastewater, and solid waste projects across Nunavut.
Daycare funding would increase to $4 million, up from $2.2 million last year. Increased financial support for daycares will be partially offset by higher government revenue, according to Main.
Federal agencies are paying the GN 41 per cent more than they were last year, the premier said, which totalled $457.9 million in 2025-26.
Tax collection is projected to be up 15.7 per cent from last year, when it was $180.4 million.
Territorial funding and financing is rising 5.7 per cent from 2025-26, when it was $2.3 billion.
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