The Department of Social Services will be providing the town of Iqaluit with sufficient funds to deal with the December program funding requirements. Those monies will be transferred to the town's account prior to December 1, 1993, as per the agreement with the town of Iqaluit. There should be no need for interim financing costs on the part of the town of Iqaluit.
The Department of Social Services received the town of Iqaluit's proposed draft 1994 budget on August 17, 1993. The town is seeking substantial increases which require a great deal of analysis and discussion. Formal discussions with the town were scheduled to begin the week of October 18, 1993, but unfortunately, this did not occur.
However, the Department of Social Services will be sending two senior staff members to Iqaluit November 24, 1994, to meet with the town administrator and Social Services staff to work out a solution to the 1994 budget submission.
I expect to be able to approve the 1994 budget for the town of Iqaluit prior to December 31, 1993.