I am pleased to present the Department of Executive’s main estimates for the fiscal year 2012-2013. The goals for the Department of Executive are centred on our role in ensuring effective coordination of government activities; supporting informed decision-making related to policies, planning and programming; and coordinating the implementation of strategic activities to advance the priorities of the 17

th Legislative Assembly.

The overall proposed budget for the department is $22.862 million for 2012-13, which is an increase of $8.857 million or 63 percent from the 2011-2012 Main Estimates. The overall increase is due to $155,000 in forced growth and $9.301 million for other adjustments related to devolution negotiations and implementation planning, offset by sunsets of $599,000.

The Department of Executive provides overall coordination and support and ensures departments are moving forward in a collaborative, transparent and integrated way. A new committee of Cabinet structure has been established to support the vision, goals and priorities of the 17

th Assembly. A

key role for the department is to support evidence-based decision-making:• by providing information, advice and support to

Cabinet through the Cabinet Secretariat;• by reviewing and evaluating program

effectiveness and efficiency through the program review office;• by developing and distributing statistical data for

policy and program development;• by analyzing key indicators, measures and

outcomes to aid with informed allocation of resources and effort; and• by regularly reporting on our progress.

The directorate includes the office of the secretary to Cabinet and the office of devolution. The office of the secretary to Cabinet is responsible for providing overall leadership for the public service, supporting

Executive Council decision-making, and coordinating the development and implementation of government-wide direction.

The office of devolution includes two branches: negotiations and implementation planning. Members will be aware that the Devolution Agreement-in-Principle includes funding for the Government of the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal governments to address a number of significant issues before a final agreement is reached.

The department anticipates revenue of $2 million related to federal government contributions to support activities between Devolution Agreement-in-Principle and Final Agreement. Although this amount is well below the Government of the Northwest Territories investment of $9.3 million this year, a critical lesson learned from the Yukon devolution experience was the need to carefully plan for the transfer of authority and staff and to make the necessary investments to ensure a smooth transition.

The executive operations branch includes the strategic planning unit, program review office, Bureau of Statistics and the regional operations offices for the Department of Executive. In addition to the core business activities, there are a number of priority areas that will be advanced during 2012-2013.

A key area we are focusing on is finalizing an ambitious work plan for program review, which will complement the planning work being done by strategic planning and be supported by statistical analysis from the Bureau of Statistics. Members have told us it is important to evaluate our plans on an ongoing basis to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness and we have heard them. The program review office will also support initiatives to reduce red tape, which is a priority of the Refocusing Government Committee of Cabinet.

Based on the success of the Single-Window Service Centre pilot project initiated in October 2010, the regional offices will be expanding government service officer positions into five new communities: Sachs Harbour, Tsiigehtchic, Tulita, Fort Liard and Gameti. This will bring the total number of single-window service centres to 13, thereby improving access to Government of the Northwest Territories programs and services, as well as increasing Government of the Northwest Territories employment opportunities in several small communities. Executive, together with Finance, is leading work on organizational design, to take into account opportunities for decentralization presented not only by devolution but also by reviewing all government operations.

Also included in these main estimates is the Cabinet support branch of the Department of Executive, which is responsible for ensuring

systems are in place to support informed decision-making and successful implementation of Cabinet direction. The branch includes the Cabinet Secretariat, legislation and house planning, corporate communications, protocol, the women’s advisory office, and supports the Commissioner’s office.

Other key activities for the department that are reflected in these main estimates include the Ministers’ offices, which include the Premier’s office and support to Ministers.

That concludes my introductory remarks and I am prepared to answer any questions that committee members may have. Thank you.