During the review of the 2001/2004 business plans in October, the committee requested that an events chart be developed to give members a perspective of what has to be done as the Northwest Territories moves towards devolution and revenue sharing. An events flow chart was circulated to members. However, the committee was surprised to hear that Cabinet has abandoned this chart as a planning tool and have not circulated it outside of Caucus. Departmental staff indicated that by suggesting target dates, aboriginal partners might feel that negotiations with the Government of the Northwest Territories are "precooked".
The committee is of the opinion that there are events that the government and other organizations have already agreed upon that could be put into a schedule. The committee is aware of legislation which is new or is under review that could easily be put in the events calendar. It is also well understood that our pursuit of devolution and resource revenue sharing requires a sequence of events to occur. It would be helpful for these events to be identified, not necessarily with a target date.
The committee hopes that Cabinet revisits its decision not to use an events chart as a planning tool. The committee empathizes with the difficulty in setting target dates when negotiations are involved. However, Members and the committees still would like to have targets and a sequence of events to assist them in their planning for the remaining term of this government.
That concludes the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development's committee report on the Department of the Executive. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.