Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to discuss with you the main estimates for the Department of Executive, executive offices, for the year 1996-97. This budget is built on the priorities and strategies of this government and reflects the current fiscal reality. I am confident it is the best approach, given the job we have to do and the resources we have to do the job.
A few of the key features of the budget are:
- The focus is on our core responsibility, which is to provide service and support to the Premier and Cabinet and its committees to ensure that the broad strategic directions of government are implemented.
- The Personnel Secretariat has been downsized and amalgamated with the department.
- Regional operations have been eliminated; there is funding in 1996-97 to help make a smooth transition.
- Remaining regional council funding has been eliminated. Instead, funding for regional leadership meetings is available in each region.
Mr. Chairman, the department's overall budget for 1996-97 is $11.672 million and 78.5 PYs. This represents a reduction of 22 per cent of our O and M funding from the previous year and a cut of 54.1 PYs.
The budget is broken down into these three main activities:
1. The Commissioner's office is budgeted for two PYs and $226,000.
2. The Ministers' offices activity is budgeted for 23 PYs and $3.716 million. This includes the Premier's and Ministers' offices, Women's Advisory and the press secretary's office.
3. The Executive Council Secretariat is budgeted for 53.5 PYs and $7.730 million. The secretariat includes: financial and management services; legislation and house planning; Priorities and Planning Secretariat; official languages unit; Division Secretariat; and, Personnel Secretariat.
In addition, the department's budget includes $587,000 in grants and contributions. This funding is distributed by the Women's Advisory to the Native Women's Association, the Status of Women's Council of the NWT and various women's initiatives.
Mr. Chairman, there are no funds allocated to capital expenditures.
Decisions to downsize and streamline the department are consistent with the department's core responsibilities. One example is in the area of regional operations, where the process is under way to transfer remaining funding for GLOs to communities. Further, in keeping with increased ministerial responsibility and the need to reduce the cost of government in this time of fiscal restraint, regional and area director offices are being closed. Regional superintendents will have the authority and responsibility to take the lead on matters within their Ministers' mandates. Steps are being taken to ensure that delivery of government programs and services is maintained and that communities and regions are not adversely affected by these changes. In the process of the upcoming budget planning cycles, the department will continue to streamline and divest itself of functions not directly related to its core responsibilities.
As I mentioned, a key feature of this budget is the integration of the Personnel Secretariat into the Department of Executive. The Personnel Secretariat has been downsized and the remaining functions integrated into the department's Executive Council Secretariat. The department will establish guidelines for staff recruitment and hiring and monitor for compliance. However, the responsibility for recruitment will be with departments, boards and agencies. This will give managers increased authority to manage. Training and assistance will be provided to departments to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibility. In addition, advertising funding will be distributed to departments on an equitable basis.
Mr. Chairman, it is never easy to cut a department's budget and eliminate PYs. Some tough decisions have to be made and issues are bound to arise; however, given our financial targets and our focus on our core responsibilities, I believe that this is the right budget.
That concludes my opening statement. Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to answer any questions Members have. Thank you.