Within the Government of the Northwest Territories there are many financial and human resources being devoted to the negotiation and implementation of land claims, self-government agreements and constitutional development talks. 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, and the fiscal relationship with Ottawa, and, as well, northern control over northern resources. Another section added to the Executive, Intergovernmental Affairs, assists the preparation of strategies to address territorial, national and international issues. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has increased their participation in self-government talks. The Departments of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and Health and Social Services also are involved in the negotiations.
The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development has grave concerns that with the increased departmental involvement in self-government, land claims, devolution and resource revenue sharing that there is a definite inefficient use of government funds. These funds could be better spent on infrastructure or other essential programs and services.
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. The roles of the Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat, Intergovernmental Affairs, various Government of the Northwest Territories departments and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs need to be established. This is further addressed in the committee's comments on the Department of the Executive.