Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.
Department of Executive
On April 3, 2008, members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations met with the Premier to review the Draft Main Estimates for the Department of the Executive.
The committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $12,976,000 in operation expenses for the Executive offices during the fiscal year of 2008–2009.
The committee members offered the following comments on the issues arising out of the review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates: mandate of the functions of the Executive and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
During the review of the Department of Executive, the committee discussed the elimination of regional offices and re-profiling the remaining two offices in the north and the south regions.
Members recognize that the regional offices play an important role in relationship building and in communications with the aboriginal and the community governments. This function is also carried out by the intergovernmental relations division of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, contributing to the committee’s concerns about duplication of functions and mandates between the two departments. Furthermore, the devolution office, as part of the Executive, also deals with aspects of tri-governmental negotiations and relations.
Members are disappointed that no progress has been made in the negotiations with Canada on the resource revenue sharing and devolution. The self-government comprehensive agreement negotiations and the implementation of existing agreements are proceeding very slowly.
The committee also had concerns about capacity of the small, stand-alone Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Pooling resources together would enhance the capacity of the GNWT to proceed with these activities while operating cost-effectively. The committee felt that a number of senior management positions in the Executive would allow for absorbing the oversight
of the functions of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
Recommendations
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations be rolled back into the Executive.
New Proposed Approach to Supplementary Reserve Fund
Members also discussed the government’s proposed new approach to future supplementary appropriations based on the reduction of the supplementary reserve fund from $25 million to $10 million. The committee is concerned about Cabinet’s ability to enforce this approach and disallow future supplementary appropriations for non-emergency or non-foreseeable funding needs.
Effective and Efficient Government
Ideas and initiatives that would contribute to the goal of the 16th Assembly to create effective and
efficient government were discussed during the meeting with the Premier. On several points Members stressed the importance of keeping the committee informed and engaged with the GNWT plan and new initiatives or major changes.
Reductions
Members also suggested that it’s important to give any organizations outside the GNWT that are affected by the proposed reductions or cuts early notice of anticipated changes. Such an approach should be consistent throughout the GNWT departments and not depend on individual Ministers and preferences. Members were worried that the proposed cuts would affect the regions to a higher degree than offices at headquarters.
The committee noted that phase 2 of the family violence action plan is now entering its implementation stage and that the GNWT felt the family violence coordinator position with the Department of Executive is no longer required.
Mr. Speaker, I will ask my colleague the Member for Great Slave to continue. Thank you.