As stated earlier in the review of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, the committee has grave concerns in regard to the numerous sectors of government that are involved in self-government, land claims, devolution and resource revenue sharing negotiations. In the past year, the Department of the Executive has added the intergovernmental forum secretariat to coordinate the GNWT participation in aboriginal, territorial and federal government discussions, such as devolution, resource revenue sharing, oil and gas developments, the fiscal relationship with Ottawa, and northern control over northern resources. Another section added to the Executive, intergovernmental affairs, assists in the preparation of strategies to address territorial, national and international issues. There are also sections in the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and other government departments involved in intergovernmental negotiations.

It is the opinion of the committee that with so many pockets of government involved in intergovernmental negotiations, there is a definite inefficient use of people and government funds; funds that could be better spent on infrastructure or other essential programs or services for the people of the Northwest Territories.

Further to the significant cost of the pockets of government involved in negotiations, the committee is uneasy with the lack of clear lines of authority. Committee unease was confirmed when the Premier admitted that there was no clear authority for the intergovernmental forum secretariat, intergovernmental affairs and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

The committee supports the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight's recommendation that the department establish clear lines of authority and mandates for all sectors of government involved in the negotiation procedures, and do so without prolonging any of the processes of government. Efficiency and effectiveness of government should be considered above the need to increase and sustain bureaucracy.