I also have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudluk on November 30 regarding the availability of funding to communities visiting Greenland.
In October, 1993, the main delegation from Pangnirtung going to Greenland was the entire council, as well as two hamlet administrative staff. Council had been planning this trip for over a year so that they could review different management systems, the structure of council, committee systems and program management. They were not representing the Baffin region in any official capacity but rather were looking for possible solutions to some of the problems facing their own community.
The community requested financial assistance from my department as they were recovering from a substantial deficit. Since the council had been making a strong effort to retire their debt and put new systems in place to exercise better controls, the Baffin regional superintendent made a recommendation that the department provide some financial assistance in recognition of what the council had achieved. The Minister of the day agreed to make a contribution. The council was required to identify some of their own funds to help offset the total cost. These visits are planned as exchange visits and the hamlet council of Pangnirtung agreed to host a delegation from Greenland in return.
Other such exchanges have taken place in conjunction with a memorandum of agreement signed in April, 1989 between the Greenland Home Rule Government and this government. Broughton Island, Lake Harbour, Pond Inlet and Grise Fiord are other communities that have participated. Some have received financial assistance and some have not. Each request is considered separately, on its own merit.
However, the department is not funded specifically to provide financial assistance to councils wishing to travel to Greenland or other locations. There is no application process prescribed and no money allocated to assist in travel costs. There is no assurance that if any further requests are received, further funding could be provided. Thank you.