Mission, Vision, Values

Headquartered in Iqaluit, and with active regional operations in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and Igloolik, the Department of Finance exists as a central agency of the Government of Nunavut (GN).

Our Vision

The Department of Finance works towards a vision in which:

• Government makes sound decisions about the use of public resources based on accurate and timely information, analysis and advice;
• Government operations are smooth and efficient, supported by a range of professional and client-focused centralized services;
• Government is accountable to Nunavummiut, who trust the systems and processes in place to properly manage public funds.

What we do

To support the GN’s day-to-day operations, advance the Legislative Assembly’s political mandate, and achieve our vision as a department, the Department of Finance:

• Provides accurate and timely advice and analysis to support informed decisions about the use of public resources;
• Delivers a range of programs and activities in support of government policy and operations; and
• Promotes accountability by implementing a framework to control, monitor and report on the use of public funds.

As examples of the many roles we play, GN Finance:

• supports and advises the Financial Management Board (FMB) of ministers;
• manages the compensation and benefits of GN employees;
• pays invoices on behalf of departments;
• collects revenues owing to the GN;
• prepares and reports year-end financial statements;
• develops and maintains the GN's financial systems;
• administers the territory's tax system;
• audits internal programs and processes;
• manages the GN's insurance portfolio;
• guides the GN-wide budgeting and appropriations processes;
• represents the GN's interests on national fiscal and financial issues;
• manages the GN's relationships with territorial corporations and public agencies;
• manages the public treasury;
• undertakes economic research and analysis;
• leads the GN's approach to liquor and cannabis policy
• licenses and regulates the liquor and cannabis industries in Nunavut.

Our structure.

Overview

The Department of Finance is organized across three core branches, each led by a senior executive:

• Corporate Management (the Deputy Minister),
• Comptrollership (the Comptroller General, supported by the Assistant Comptroller General) and
• Fiscal Management (the Assistant Deputy Minister).

A fourth branch, Centrally Administered Funds, exists as part of our budgeting structure to facilitate important payments but is not staffed.

The Deputy Minister leads the Department as a whole.

Each core branch is made up of divisions, usually led by a director. The department primarily budgets and reports at a divisional level, though there is often significant collaboration and overlap among teams. Most divisions are further organized into sections, each led by a manager. These are smaller teams who often share a specific function or role.

In total, the Department has nearly 200 employees in its core organizational structure. The Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC), a public agency which reports through the Department of Finance, adds another 30 or so employees to the wider team.

Corporate Management Branch

The Corporate Management Branch oversees, guides, and supports the department’s activities and serves as the primary link to the Minister of Finance.

Headed by the Deputy Minister, the Directorate is made up of the Department’s three other executives— the Comptroller General, Assistant Comptroller General and the Assistant Deputy Minister—as well as the Corporate Policy division.

The Corporate Policy Division coordinates departmental activities, particularly those related to legislative, regulatory and policy development. The division supports and liaises with the Minister of Finance’s Office and coordinates the department’s communications activities. The division has general responsibility for managing the GN’s relationships with its public agencies, supports the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board, and oversees the GN’s approach to liquor and cannabis policy, regulation and enforcement.

Representing Finance as a central agency, the division contributes to the GN’s broader legislative and policy work by reviewing all Cabinet submissions. Division staff play other roles, including managing the department’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) process and leading the department’s Inuit societal values initiatives. 

Comptrollership Branch

The Comptrollership Branch encourages accountability to Nunavummiut by developing and managing the financial processes and systems that support the administration of GN mandates. 

Financial Reporting and Controls maintains the GN’s internal accounting controls and ensures the accuracy, compliance and completeness of accounting records. This division prepares and publishes the GN’s annual financial statements (the Public Accounts), and reports on the government's financial position and operational results. It serves as the principal liaison between the government and the Office of the Auditor General for the annual financial audit of the Public Accounts. 

Internal Audit Services helps GN departments and public agencies add value and improve controls over their operations by carrying out systematic reviews of operations, advising on their efficiency and procedural effectiveness, and recommending improvements. 

Financial Operations provides a range of central support services to GN departments and agencies, such as managing the GN's accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, paying bills, collecting revenues, and coordinating the GN's employee relocation program.

Financial Systems Management develops and maintains central accounting, financial and human resource systems and applications, crucial to the GN's daily operations.  

Compensation and Benefits provides comprehensive payroll and benefit plan services to government employees. The division also provides guidance and functional support for operations carried out by the three regional offices. The Qikiqtaaluk Operations team, based in Igloolik, forms an important part of this team.  

The Department’s two regional divisions, Kivalliq Regional Operations in Rankin Inlet and Kitikmeot Regional Operations in Cambridge Bay, manage relocation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collection activities, account reconciliation and provide compensation and benefits services to the GN’s decentralized offices located in the three regions outside of Iqaluit. These divisions also perform compliance reviews, special reviews, regional user training and provides ongoing support services and consultation to line departments or public agencies located in the regions. 

The branch is also home to the Financial Management Development Program, a new training program. The Department views this program, still in its early stages, as a key initiative to helping advance financial management skills across the GN and its agencies. In particular, the program is intended to help Inuit and other employees across the GN develop their understanding – from beginner skills to deeper competencies -- of the concepts and processes required to manage public resources.

Fiscal Management Branch

The Fiscal Management Branch consists of three divisions, as well as the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC).

Fiscal Policy manages core fiscal arrangements with the federal government, forecasts GN revenues, and monitors Nunavut's overall fiscal and economic health. The team collaborates interdepartmentally on a wide range of initiatives and represents the GN to other Canadian governments on several fiscal, financial and economic initiatives. The division administers the GN’s tax system by enforcing tax legislation, reviewing and developing tax policy and rates, and delivering related programs. The division is also responsible for regulating the territory’s insurance industry by licensing insurance professionals and insurance companies and is home to the Superintendent of Insurance. 

Expenditure Management coordinates, facilitates, and provides policy and financial direction to the GN’s budget development processes. The division provides advice and administrative support to the Financial Management Board of ministers, departments and public agencies. Expenditure Management performs a compliance and enforcement role with respect to departmental budgets, organizational design and positions. The division’s treasury function oversees the GN’s cash and debt management. 

Corporate Services provides a range of financial, administrative and human resource services to support the day-to-day operations of the Department of Finance itself. The team is responsible for developing and managing the department’s budget, processing the department’s expenses, and managing the centrally administrated funds. Corporate Services also oversees the risk management function for the Government of Nunavut, including managing the GN’s insurance portfolio. With respect to HR, Corporate Services helps recruit and staff the department, promotes a healthy and productive workplace, and plays a key role in advancing the department’s Inuit Employment Plan. 

Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission

The Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC) is a separate public agency that works closely with and through the Department of Finance.

The NULC is established by the Liquor Act and authorized by the Cannabis Act to sell and distribute liquor and cannabis across the territory. The Commission funds its activities through product sales and returns all year-end profits to the GN in support of public services across the territory.

The Minister of Finance is responsible for the Liquor Act and the Cannabis Act and so oversees the Commission. For efficiency and oversight, the NULC operates from within the department’s Fiscal Management Branch and reports to the Minister through its Assistant Deputy Minister.

The NULC has teams based in both Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, with about 30 positions.

For more information about the NULC, visit their website.

Our Priorities

Turaaqtavut

Turaaqtavut is the vision of all 22 members of Nunavut’s 5th Legislative Assembly. It is the document that will guide the Government of Nunavut’s work until 2021, and one that reflects the needs and priorities of our territory.

Departmental Priorities by Branch

As part of our work to advance Turaaqtavut, and in addition to the many day-to-day roles we play, the Department of Finance has identified the goals below to work towards in 2020-21 through our departmental business plan. You can download the GN’s full 2020-21 Business Plan here.

Summary of Departmental Business Priorities
Department of Finance 2021-22

Corporate Management

• Work to put an increased focus on integrating Inuit Societal Values into the department’s culture and operations.
• Continue the review of the Liquor Act and make recommendations for potential changes if necessary.
• Conduct a review to identify impacts of the Iqaluit’s beer and wine store on nearby communities.
• Monitor the implementation of the Cannabis Act and associated policies and regulations, to ensure the effectiveness of the sales, enforcement, and licensing regimes.
• Create and update training tools and resources to ensure liquor and cannabis inspectors are supported in their role and duties.
• Update the Department of Finance website to enhance Government of Nunavut transparency and accountability and make it more user friendly.
• Formalize the establishment of an officials committee with representation from all territorial corporations, in order to benefit from best practices and lessons learned across agencies. 

  Fiscal Management

• Undertake an assessment of the Territorial Formula Financing calculation to ensure that, consistent with Finance Canada’s August 2019 commitment, carbon pricing has remained revenue neutral.
• Set targets and monitor key performance indicators to track progress towards meeting fiscal management objectives of the department and update service standards as needed.
• Modernize the Government of Nunavut’s tax database and related technology.
• Prepare and publish new products related to Nunavut’s fiscal, budgetary, economic, and/or financial situation (e.g. a mid-year fiscal update).
• As recommended by the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, consider gender violence and related issues during the GN’s budget development process.

Comptrollership

• Develop, document, and clarify key performance indicators and service standards for financial functions within the Department of Finance.
• Implement a program to support professional financial and accounting designations for new and existing employees across government.
• Develop a strategy with all departments to ensure a more expedient vendor payment process.
• Develop a detailed orientation manual for on-boarding new employees to the department.
• Explore potential options for an electronic signature system for the Government of Nunavut.

Contribution Programs

The Department of Finance directly administers the following contribution programs for the benefit of Nunavummiut and their businesses:

Nunavut Electricity Subsidy
Nunavut Carbon Credit

The Department of Finance also prepares a report each year about the different grants and contribution programs that departments administer across the GN. Recent reports are available here.

Join our team!

The Department of Finance and the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC) are always on the lookout for motivated individuals to join our teams.

Whether you are starting your career, joining the civil service, or an experienced professional, the Department of Finance offers a range of engaging employment opportunities in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Igloolik.

• Are you highly customer service oriented? Working as a Compensation and Benefits Officer gives you the chance to help GN colleagues across departments every day.
• Do you like working in a busy retail environment? Perhaps a Customer Service Agent at the NULC is the job for you.
• Do you prefer tackling economic issues of national scope? If so, consider our Fiscal Policy team.
• Is IT your thing? Our Financial Systems Management team keep our key financial and HR systems humming.

Whatever your interest, you can explore the Department of Finance’s open competitions and other GN opportunities here: https://www.gov.nu.ca/public-jobs.