We are on Page 3-19, activity summary, management and recruitment services, operations expenditure summary, $8.075 million.

Moving on to page 3-20, information item, management and recruitment services, active positions. Any questions?

Moving on to page 3-23, activity summary, corporate human resources. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I am right, I think this is where the Brilliant Future document is being implemented and I am wondering if, first of all, is that the budget under strategic initiatives. I see there is a doubling of that cost this year under program delivery details. I assume that is for the delivery of that program A Brilliant North. Am I correct there or are there other initiatives I should know about there? Thank you.

Minister for Human Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is correct; it is where it is provided for and that is where we have funding to be able to invest in a public service. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

One of the things that I am particularly interested in, of course, is the Government of the Northwest Territories Green Team that, I believe, Environment and Natural Resources has had for a while and perhaps is spreading to other departments. I believe the Minister mentioned in his opening remarks, that was spreading to other departments. I am just wondering, if that information is at hand, what those departments might be and is there a schedule to get the others signed up and going on this. I think this was wise to include this in the strategy. It is one of the things that attract young people these days, young professionals, is the ability to be green and participate in it. If those details are handy and you know if there are also what sorts of things these teams will be doing, green teams will be doing, I would appreciate that too. Thank you.

The Member is correct in his observation in that younger people, how green the place of employment is, is a factor in their decision-making. So the Government of the Northwest Territories does have a departmental Green Team. The terms of reference have been

developed and the following departments are represented on the team: Environment and Renewable Resources; Industry, Tourism and Investment; Public Works; Municipal and Community Affairs; Justice; Housing Corporation; Human Resources; Aboriginal Affairs; and Transportation. So the team is right now finalizing a comprehensive inventory of current Government of the Northwest Territories green initiatives. We are also drafting a proposed set of environmental conditions and this interdepartmental team will advocate and assist the development of internal departmental teams. Maybe I will ask, through you, Mr. Chairman, the deputy to further update us on how well we are doing in that area.

Deputy Minister Williams.

I appreciate Mr. Williams’ and the Minister’s comments. I know we heard a lot the other day about how the Legislative Assembly is doing and they’re marching right along in regard to some of those initiatives; I think well along towards achieving 80 percent reduction in paper in some areas and looking really good. I’m assuming that’s also saving us dollars and giving us some flexibility for other work and priorities. So that’s all I had. I’d probably benefit from seeing the terms of reference, if that’s shareable there. So I appreciate those comments. Thank you.

Minister of HR.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We’ll commit to providing that information to the Member.

Thank you. Next on the list I have Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a quick question here with regard to the contract services. That amount has increased significantly and I just wondered if I could find out why. Thank you.

Minister of HR.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The main reason for the increase is for the implementation of 20/20. So contracts have increased by $2.1 million for that purpose. Also, it includes funding for Employee and Family Assistance Program, HAY training, labour relation, a very small section. So the primary reason is for implementation of the 20/20 Strategic Plan. Thank you.

That seems like an awful lot of money, $2 million to implement the plan. Are we adding staff or is this contracted services that we’re using to put this plan in place? Can I have a bit of an explanation as to where this money is being spent? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’ll just go quickly through the list here. Administration of client satisfaction survey, $50,000; travel costs for outreach and marketing programs, $50,000; support to employee diversity networks, $237,000; Youth Intern Ambassador and Enhanced Student Employment programs, $500,000; marketing and recruitment initiatives, $250,000; cross-cultural workshops for staff, $100,000; increase employee wellness programs, $100,000; Performance Measurement Program system and support, $100,000; competency-based training pilot project, $500,000; training for all of the HR staff, $100,000; training initiatives for all employees, $410,000; and it also, when you get to the next page, provides for some increase in employees and I’ll ask the deputy, through you, to provide more detail in that area, Mr. Chair.

Deputy Minister Williams.

We’re on page 3-23, activity summary, corporate human resources, operations expenditure summary, $11.086 million. Ms. Bisaro.