Information Exchange Mandate
A primary function of the Special Joint Committee on Division will be to ensure a regular flow of information on division issues between and among the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council.
To achieve this objective, the special joint committee will:
1) Prepare written status reports on division issues, including the activities of the Special Joint Committee on Division, for regular distribution to all Members and the Executive Council.
2) As requested, prepare specialized written and oral briefings on division issues for Caucus, strategic planning workshops, the Nunavut and western Caucuses, standing committees and the Executive Council.
3) Provide the general public with updates on division issues through regular reports to the Legislative Assembly and through briefings for the northern and national media.
4) Contribute to public information programs which may be initiated by the federal and territorial governments, advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.
5) Redirect to Ministers, Members and the appropriate territorial, federal or advisory agencies any inquiries from the general public, interest and lobby groups for meetings and information.
Recommendation-Making Mandate
The special joint committee will also assume an important role in recommending how the Legislature and Executive Council should address division issues. In responding to this objective as quickly as possible, the special joint committee will, by April 30, 1994:
6) Develop recommendations on the following matters for consideration by the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly:
- matters which should be addressed and concluded during the terms of the current Executive Council and Assembly;
- matters which should be initiated by the current Executive Council and Assembly and concluded by their successors;
- matters to be dealt with by the 13th Legislature but which require recommendations from the current Executive Council and Assembly; and,
- matters which should be the exclusive responsibility of the next Executive Council and Assembly.
7) Develop recommendations for the establishment of independent special project panels to provide advice on division issues. Particular attention should be given to a panel on division of assets and liabilities.
8) Recommend to the Legislative Assembly a special joint committee budget which takes into account the following for fiscal years 1994-95 and 1995-96:
- special committee Members' indemnities and expenses
- independent special project panels
- professional services, including production of reports
- support staff
During the remainder of its mandate, the special joint committee will be expected to:
9) Develop recommendations on other matters which may be referred to the special joint committee from time to time by the Legislative Assembly, its standing committees and caucuses and the Executive Council, as well as other unforeseen issues identified by the special joint committee.
Liaison Mandate With Other Division Participants
From time to time, the special joint committee may be required to communicate with other participants in the division process.
In responding to this mandate, the special joint committee may:
10) Request advisory agencies, such as the Nunavut Implementation Commission and the western Constitutional Development Steering Committee and other participants in the division process, for research, analysis and recommendations which are required for the special joint committee, the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly to meet their obligations relating to creation of two new territories.
11) Make recommendations, as required, to the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly on the research, analysis and recommendations which are provided by advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.
Operation Of The Special Joint Committee On Division
In responding to these terms of reference and to organize itself for operation, the Special Joint Committee on Division may undertake the following:
12) Information and Analysis on Division Issues
Request information and analysis on division issues from the Executive Council, GNWT administration, federal government, advisory agencies, aboriginal organizations and other participants in the division process.
13) Consultations, Discussions and Meetings
The special joint committee will not hold public meetings but may be required to undertake consultations, discussions or meetings with government, aboriginal organizations, advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.
14) Special Joint Committee Co-chairs and Quorum Choose Nunavut/western co-chairs, representing the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, from the permanent Members. The quorum for meetings will be six permanent and/or alternate Members present, with equal representation from Nunavut and the west, two of whom must be Ministers, one from Nunavut and one from the west.
15) Subcommittees of the Special Joint Committee on Division
Establish subcommittees of both permanent and alternate Members from time to time to consider and report back to the joint committee on special assignments.
Set the quorum for meetings of the subcommittees. There shall be at least one permanent or alternate Minister on each subcommittee.
16) Independent Special Project Panels
Establish and oversee the operation of independent special project panels of experts to examine and make recommendations on issues of importance to the creation of two new territories.
17) Support Staff
Hire permanent staff and contract professional services, as required, to assist the special joint committee. Request the temporary reassignment of GNWT officials to provide support to the committee on special projects.
Cooperation/Consultation With Executive Council, GNWT Administration And Legislative Assembly
The special joint committee, the Executive Council, the GNWT and the Legislative Assembly must coordinate their efforts to reduce the potential for overlap and duplication of work, and to maximize the use of resources on the division initiative. Accordingly, the special joint committee, in the fulfilment of its mandate will make every effort to:
18) Regularly coordinate, consult and cooperate with Caucus, standing committees, the Executive Council and GNWT administration, through the division review secretariat, on issues including, but not limited to, the following matters:
- the preparation of written status reports and specialized briefings on division issues;
- contributing to public information programs;
- developing recommendations on how the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly should address division issues;
- the establishment of independent special project panels;
- the preparation of budgets, hiring support staff and requesting the temporary assignment of GNWT officials;
- communicating with other participants in the division process; and,
- requesting information and analysis on division issues from the GNWT administration.
19) As required, seek direction from the Executive Council and/or the Legislative Assembly on any other matter that, in the opinion of the special joint committee, requires their attention.