Thank you very much,
Mr. Chairman.
Department of Executive
On April 3, 2008, the members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations met with the Premier to review the Draft Main Estimates for the Department of Executive. Committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $12.976 million in operations expense for the Executive offices during the fiscal year 2008–2009.
Committee members offer the following comments on issues arising from the review of the 2008–2009 Draft Main Estimates.
Mandate and Functions of 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 the re-profiling of the remaining two offices in the north-south region. Members recognized that the regional offices play an important role in relationship building and communications with aboriginal and 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 the aspect of tri-governmental negotiations and relations.
Members are disappointed that no progress has been made in the negotiations with Canada on resource revenue sharing and devolution. Self-government comprehensive agreement negotiations and implementation of existing agreements are proceeding very slowly. The committee also had concerns about the capacity of small stand-alone departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Pooling resources together would enhance the capacity of the GNWT to proceed with these activities while operating more cost efficiently. The committee felt that the number of senior management positions in the Executive would allow for absorbing the oversight of the functions of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
Recommendation
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations be rolled back into the Executive.
With that, I will turn it over to a committee member to conclude the opening remarks.