Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I am pleased to be here today to discuss with you the 1999-2000 Main Estimates for the Department of the Executive. The Main Estimates before you today are built on the Department of Executive 1999-2002 business plan. They reflect the priorities and strategies of this government and current fiscal realities.

In previous years, Executive Offices streamlined its operations and assumed new functions to better coordinate important functions of government. During 1998-1999 there were two major changes to Executive Offices responsibilities:

1. The Official Languages unit was transferred from the Cabinet Secretariat to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment; and 2. Corporate Human Resource Services (CHRS) was established in 1998 within the Cabinet Secretariat to consolidate corporate, non-labour relations, human resource functions:

- The corporate, non-labour relations, human resource functions were transferred from the Financial Management Board Secretariat;

- The corporate human resource functions were transferred from Education, Culture and Employment; and

- The remaining human resource functions of the Personnel Secretariat were transferred to Corporate Human Resource Services.

Corporate Human Resource Services provides broad policy support and coordination for organization-wide human resources initiatives. It also provides related advice, training and support for human resource practitioners and management staff in departments. This service supports the governments's strategy of decentralizing responsibility and accountability for human resources to departments.

Madam Chairperson, during 1999-2000 we can expect continuing change and challenge for government. The Department of the Executive has, through previous business plans and main estimates approved by the Legislative Assembly, set a course for the future and we are holding to that course.

- The Department of the Executive - Executive Offices will support Cabinet in establishing and advancing the Northwest Territories Agenda. Articulating and communicating the government's vision and agenda are necessary steps to accomplish the government's goals of increased employment for Northerners and a fair, representative and responsible government.

- Executive Offices will support Cabinet in building an effective, capable, representative and motivated public service. This strategy supports the government's goals of increased employment for Northerners and a fair, representative and responsive government. We are improving the way we do human resources planning, identifying competencies for managers, and improving communications with our staff.

- Executive Offices will support Cabinet in building a smooth transition to the new western government. Although the major work of the Division Secretariat has now been completed, transition to two new Territories will continue for some time. The nature of the relationship between our government and the Government of Nunavut is now one of intergovernmental affairs.

- Executive Offices will support Cabinet in preparing and communicating a transition plan to the new government following the next general election. The new Legislative Assembly and Cabinet will be provided with objective, timely, relevant and complete information needed with respect to the transition from one government to the next. A coordinated transition will be provided for the on-going processes of legislation and policy development, resource allocation, and strategic planning.

Madam Chairperson, the Executive Offices proposed Main Estimates for 1999-2000 are $8.168 million. This proposed budget is allocated among four activities as follows:

1. The Commissioner's Office activity is budgeted for two positions and $171,000.

2. The Ministers' Offices activity is budgeted for 20 positions and $3,347 million. This activity includes:

- Premier's Office;

- Ministers' Offices;

- Public Affairs; and

- Women's Advisory.

3. The Cabinet Secretariat activity is budgeted for 39 positions and $4.256 million. The Cabinet Secretariat includes the following activities:

- Office of the Secretary to Cabinet and Cabinet Secretariat (Policy);

- Corporate Human Resource Services;

- Division Secretariat;

- Intergovernmental Affairs;

- Corporate Services Division;

- Legislation and House Planning; and

- Regulatory Reform Secretariat.

4. The Public Utilities Board is budgeted for two positions and $394,000.

Madam Chairperson, I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have on the department's proposed 1999-2000 Main Estimates. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.