Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, I have a report on the first work plan for the review of selected boards and agencies during the 12th Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with its terms of reference, the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions met on Thursday, December 12, 1991, to consider priorities and establish a comprehensive plan for the review of selected boards and agencies. Members of the standing committee agreed that initial priorities should be given to an examination of the board and committee structure for trades certification and brief reviews of Arctic College and selected regional health boards. The standing committee also agreed to undertake intensive and comprehensive reviews of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board. Other priorities may be established later in the year for reviewing government created boards, agencies and commissions.
Apprenticeship And Trade Certification Boards And Committees
Some of the work plan details, Mr. Speaker, were, one, apprenticeship and trades certification boards and committees. Presently, an elaborate system of advisory committees exists in conjunction with the apprenticeship and trade certification board. Members of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions were very interested in the organizational framework and function of the board and its various advisory committees. Special note was made in this regard, of the recommendation in the "Strength At Two Levels" document that: "All boards and agencies should be assessed specifically in light of elimination, down-sizing or consolidation."
Arctic College
The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions also agreed to review the organization and operation of board functions within Arctic College. Program delivery issues will be considered and an examination of various options outlined in the "Strength At Two Levels" document for Arctic College development will be undertaken.
Regional Health Boards
During the 11th Assembly the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions reviewed three regional health boards and the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Board. The THIS board has now been eliminated but issues raised by the previous committee may require a follow-up review.
Northwest Territories Power Corporation
The Power Corporation has evolved steadily since its transfer to Government of the Northwest Territories authority. Given specific recommendations in the "Strength At Two Levels" document regarding further development of the corporation, including a proposed transfer of responsibility for the petroleum products delivery system, the standing committee felt that a comprehensive review would be in order.
Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board
The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions is very interested in a number of organizational and operational aspects of the Workers' Compensation Board. These will be examined during a comprehensive review of the board and its operations.
The review of trade certification boards and committees, the consideration of selected aspects of Arctic College operation, and a follow-up examination of regional health board issues will be undertaken during standing committee meetings in Fort Smith scheduled for the week of January 21, 1992. Research and preparatory planning for the larger and more comprehensive reviews of the NWT Power Corporation and the Workers' Compensation Board will begin immediately. Formal standing committee meetings to deal with these government-created boards will likely commence early in the 1992-93 fiscal year.
Motion That Committee Report 3-12(1), Report Of Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions, Be Adopted, Carried
Mr. Speaker, that concludes this report of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions and, therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the report on the first work plan of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions be received by the Assembly and adopted. Mahsi Cho.