Okay. Moving on to page 12-36. Again an information item, work performed on behalf of others. Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Chair, I want to ask on the Growing Forward Project, the department has been very successful in the Sahtu with the potatoes. I think we are the spud capital of the Northwest Territories now with a good initiative last year in Norman Wells. I want to ask the Minister if the communities also wanted to look at other agricultural initiatives, can we start raising chickens and other birds like that so they become the capital of the Sahtu in terms of having those types of industries in our region to cut down the high cost of having chickens bought in the store there, or turkeys? Thank you.

Minister of ITI.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know there’s an election coming up so maybe the Member wants to make sure everybody has a chicken in their pot or a turkey.

We do have programs to be accessed to provide for agricultural development. In the Member’s riding, in Deline there’s a group that have gotten together and they’re going to be raising chickens and turkeys and collecting eggs. So, definitely, it’s possible, and under the Growing Forward Project there are about eight or nine different categories that can be funded through that program. Thank you.

We certainly look forward to that. I know that in Deline they’re asking about it so hopefully if they really, really do well, everybody in this House will be buying Deline fresh eggs and having some turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner. I just wanted to say that to the Minister to look at other initiatives in our region.

Again, we’re on page 12-36, information item, work performed on behalf of others.

Moving on to page 12-37. Again, information item, work performed on behalf of others.

With that, can we go back to the department summary on page 12-7. Department summary, operations expenditure summary, $53.326 million.

Does the committee agree that we’ve concluded the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment?

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and thank the witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move we report progress.

---Defeated

I believe the next item we agreed to move into was HR. If that’s agreeable, I’ll ask the Minister if he has any opening comments.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

---Defeated

Mr. McLeod, you have the floor for opening comments.

Mr. Chairman, I’m pleased to present the Department of Human Resources 2011-2012 main estimates. The department’s mandate is to provide leadership and direction to departments and agencies in all areas of human resource management. In doing so Human Resources is guided by legislation, policies, and strategies; in particular, 20/20: A Brilliant North, the Northwest Territories Public Service Strategic Plan. As Members know, this comprehensive framework sets out a 10-year plan for the development of the public service in the Northwest Territories.

The focus for 2011-2012 will be on fixing the foundation through strategic business process redesign, learning and development for all employees, and human resource planning.

The department’s main estimates propose total operational expenditures of $42.421 million. This represents a budget increase of 5.8 percent or $2.348 million from 2010-2011. The increase in the main estimates includes:

•

forced growth funding of $645,000 for

compensation and benefits costs associated with the collective agreement;

•

$491,000 to re-establish five payroll positions. The payroll office was reduced in 2007, however, efficiencies were not fully realized and the support service stabilization, the resource shortfall, must be addressed;

•

$338,000 for planning as the collective

agreements with the Union of Northern Workers, the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, and Northwest Territories physicians contracts all expire in 2012;

•

$167,000 investment to improve the

government’s capacity to deliver French language communication and services to the public under the Official Languages Act. One new bilingual human resources facilitator position will be hired to ensure that bilingual human resource requirements will be met and supported.

The Department of Human Resources looks forward to supporting the provision of French language services to the public in a manner that supports our relationship with the Northwest Territories Francophone Committee and the Federation Franco TeNOise.

The government, like other employees, is faced with significant challenges including an aging workforce, rising labour costs, and a competitive employment environment. Maintaining a sustainable, vibrant public service requires us to strategically invest in our workforce through 20/20, the Public Service Strategic Plan, in a manner that

recognizes corporate pressures including the need to remain fiscally prudent.

The main estimates include a $1 million investment for continued implementation of 20/20 recruitment and retention strategies. Specifically these additional resources will be used to ensure effective workforce stability through human resource planning including succession planning and performance management. These resources will also be used to upgrade the Human Resource Information System in order to increase efficiencies and support user accessibility. In addition, this upgrade will ensure compatibility of the financial system for accountability and management with the Human Resources system.

The work that is taking place as part of 20/20 recognizes the long-term nature of this strategic plan. Building upon the productive pilot project undertaken by three departments to develop human resource plans, align with business plans, a second set of departments will engage in the process to develop their human resource plans by the end of 2011. A draft succession planning framework will be developed during 2011-2012 as outlined in the 20/20 three-year action plan.

The Department of Human Resources, working with departments and agencies, will continue to invest in the Associate Director/Superintendent Program. In 2010-2011, the first intake for this program, two Aboriginal individuals were the successful candidates and are in their new positions. We are in the process of confirming the third Aboriginal candidate. These new opportunities under this program are located in Inuvik with Education, Culture and Employment, Fort Smith with Municipal and Community Affairs, and in Fort Simpson with Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority. The three associate director superintendent positions are included in the department’s position count.

Finally, to strengthen employee learning and development, resources will be designated to implement the research and planning work completed in 2010-2011. These include:

•

The Competency-Based Performance Management Framework that’s under development and will be piloted in 2011-2012. Competencies form the basis for performance evaluation as well as learning and development programs.

•

Aboriginal cultural awareness training will be rolled out in 2011-2012. Recognizing their expertise and knowledge, Aboriginal governments and other communities of interest have been consulted in the development of the curriculum outlined for Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training.

•

We will continue to focus on increasing

employment and participation of persons with

disabilities within the government’s labour force. Expanding on the sensitivity awareness test training session held in 2011, sensitivity training will be available in 2011-2012 along with the disabilities framework and information campaign.

•

The Government of the Northwest Territories Advisory Committee on Employability continues to provide expert input and advise on diversity and inclusivity within the Government of the Northwest Territories human resources strategies. Work is underway to attract persons with disabilities into the Government of the Northwest Territories workforce and ensure appropriate partnerships are in place to support employees with disabilities.

I look forward to providing Members with a full update on year two implementation of the Public Service Strategic Action Plan in May 2011.

The department continues to move forward with fixing the foundation through business process redesign work intended to stabilize the core transactional human resource services that the department provides. This will be Human Resources’ main focus in 2011-2012 as the department works to provide excellent service to our clients, the departments and agencies across the Government of the Northwest Territories, as well as the current and prospective employees.

As Northerners we need to continue to build a strong northern public service that provides quality programs and services to the people of the North, generate employment opportunities for all, and attract and retain the best and the brightest people who are committed to their professions, their communities and the people they serve.

I would like to thank the Members for your ongoing guidance and support in sustaining a strong public service.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. With that, I would like to ask the Minister if he will be bringing in any witnesses.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.