Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister of Public Works and Services, PWS, and his staff on January 17, 2005, to review the department's draft main estimates for 2005-2006.
The mandate of PWS is to design, construct, acquire, operate and maintain, buildings, works and equipment. Its mandate also includes implementing 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. PWS also provides a system of specialist services intended to enhance efficiency of government departments, and makes essential petroleum products available for the sale to the public where these are not provided by the private sector.
MACA And PWS Amalgamation
In their review of the 2005-2008 Business Plans, the committee observed that it is not unusual for there to be several problems with the development and execution of capital projects in communities. When projects are delayed or other problems occur, communities are often not informed of the problem or with who they can appeal to about their issues.
Often this is because there is lack of coordination and a communication strategy between PWS, their client departments and the communities.
The committee suggested that if the regions managed their own repairs and maintenance, this more straightforward approach would help communities to identify whom to contact when problems arise.
The committee would like to further suggest that PWS explore the Deloitte and Touche report recommendation to realign infrastructure and maintenance responsibilities. MACA's responsibility for maintenance of municipal roads, community facilities and community water services could be amalgamated with those of PWS. Not only would this approach conserve resources but would also be a one-stop streamlined approach for communities to address their concerns when projects are delayed or cancelled.
Recommendation
The committee recommends that the Department of Public Works and Services seek further efficiencies and streamlining of services provided to the communities.
Systems Amalgamation
Although TSC and systems and communications have been amalgamated, there are still department specific applications and positions that remain to be decentralized. The committee asked if there was a way to further amalgamate these applications in order to realize further efficiencies and savings.
PWS replied there are a number of departments that have a large number of complex applications in-house. PWS, for instance, has the Amanda system, used to manage electrical and mechanical permits. The volume this system handles justifies the personnel required to maintain it. However, there are also a number of smaller departments with smaller requirements that struggle to maintain department specific systems within current resources. The Informatics Policy Committee, a part of the Knowledge Management Strategy, is trying to come up with the best balance between resources that are dedicated to the departments and resources that are pooled corporately. This committee hopes to have some results for the next budget year.
The committee is supportive of this work and looks forward to seeing the results from the Informatics Policy Committee.
That concludes the standing committee's remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.