Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee Members acknowledge the Executives' initiative to better meet the mandate in providing overall management and direction to the executive branch of the government. One of the Executives' initiatives is to undertake a review of government policies and regulations. The committee agreed that reducing over lap and confusion and removing unnecessary regulatory burdens is necessary to improve the efficiency of the government. Committee Members look forward to seeing further details of this planned review.
The committee appreciated hearing about further efforts to devolve more provincial type responsibilities from the federal government, including resource management and criminal prosecutions. Committee Members look forward to further details on these and other devolution initiatives, as well as details about the devolution framework agreement with aboriginal organizations. Of special interest to committee Members is the need to ensure that any programs evolve to the territorial government are accompanied by adequate funding from the federal government. Other intra-governmental affairs, notably the place of northern issues in the upcoming federal election and issues related to Quebec are also of interest to the committee and the Premier is urged to ensure that all Members are well informed of the progress of these issues.
The committee noted that self-government talks with the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit in the Beaufort/Delta could be a precursory to regional government in the NWT Members felt that is important to establish what GNWT powers would and would not be available to such regional government. Members would like the Premier to clarify this issue by outlining what responsibilities will be available for devolution from the GNWT to possible future regional governments.
Finally, committee Members expressed some concern about the plan to cut 10 percent from the funding to women's organizations. The standing committee understands the need to reduce government spending in this time of fiscal difficulty, but here, as in other areas, the question is one of priority. While the work of the special advisor on women's issues is important, Members consider the work done by the Status of Women Council, the Native Women's Association, and other groups to be even more important to the north and to northerners.
During the review of the draft business plans in October, the committee did suggest another option for this reduction in funding. The committee suggested cutting the grant by five percent instead of 10, and making up the difference by reducing the position of the Special Advisor on Women's Issues to a half time position. However, the Premier chose not to accept this suggestion. Committee Members would still rather not see the work of these important organizations be hindered by a 10 percent funding cut. The standing committee, therefore, offers two further suggestions. One, leave the grant unchanged, cancel the 10 percent cut, and eliminate the position of the special advisor entirely. The Minister responsible for the status of women could then be advised directly by the boards and executive directors of the women's associations. The second suggestion, the special advisor could work with the status of women council, the special advisor could then continue to advise the Premier and Minister about her services, and could assist the council sufficiently to ease the effects of the 10 percent cut in funding. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes this report.
