The establishment policy for the department states, "The mandate of the Minister and the Department of Public Works and Services is to design, construct, acquire, operate and maintain buildings, works and equipment and implement energy efficient projects in Government of the Northwest Territories buildings and works required for the Government of the Northwest Territories to deliver its programs and services, provide a system of specialist services that enhance the efficiency of government departments and make essential petroleum products available for sale to the public where these are not provided by the private sector".

The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister and department officials on May 30 and 31, 2000 to review the 2000-2003 business plans and the 2000/2001 main estimates. The committee noted a $415,000 or four percent increase in total operations or operations and maintenance expenditures between their 1999/2000 main estimates and the 2000/2001 draft main estimates. The projected increase is due to the inclusion of capital assets under $50,000 within operation expenses as required under the new tangible capital assets reporting process. Previously, all capital assets were reported under capital expenditures. The committee also noted that there was $34,176,000 for work in progress, an increase of $2,057,000 or 80 percent increase from the 1999-2000 revised main estimates. Committee members also noted the decrease of nine positions (-4 percent) in the department.