Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Hawkins.

Departmental Issues

The committee conducted annual reviews of the business plans and the budget of the departments of Executive, Finance, and Human Resources, and received updates on the initiatives throughout the year. The following were programs and issues that the committee followed especially closely:

Aboriginal Employment Initiatives

The committee is concerned that the numbers of indigenous Aboriginal persons in management positions has not increased over the past decade. The Department of Human Resources is currently in the process of undertaking Aboriginal employment initiatives that we hope will move us beyond this plateau, but there will need to monitor the implantation and success of these initiatives in the future.

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

The committee is pleased that the government has made some steps toward reducing the administration burden attached to funding for NGOs. However, there are still significant changes needed, in particular, legislative amendments that will facilitate multi-year funding, and better interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration to simplify the process of dealing with government for NGOs.

Timelines of Public Accounts

The committee has been concerned with the late tabling of the public accounts and has asked the Minister of Finance to address this problem.

Recruitment and Retention

The committee is concerned with delays and difficulties with filling some vacant public service positions and has urged the Department of Human Resources to focus on staff recruitment issues and reduce recruitment times.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a critical component of our northern infrastructure and service delivery systems, given the high cost of transportation and remoteness of many of our communities. The committee has urged the Department of Finance to expedite access and more bandwidth in any way possible, and is pleased that the government is proceeding with the Mackenzie Valley fibre optics link feasibility study.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, this concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Transition Matters. Members respectfully suggest that our successor committee consider requesting updates on the above matters with some committee

staff and government, and wish them the utmost success in fulfilling their mandate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.