I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya to the Premier on June 8, 2012, regarding the transfer of federal positions with devolution implementation.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is currently negotiating with the Government of Canada for the transfer of authority and control over Crown lands, resources and rights in respect of water in the Northwest Territories. The negotiations focus on transfer of authority and control of resources and, therefore, there is no predetermined number of positions involved. The Government of the Northwest Territories will determine the appropriate organization structure, utilizing the $65,300 million in annual funding negotiated with Canada. This funding will be administered through an adjustment to the gross expenditure determined through the formula financing arrangement with Canada.
The Government of Canada will be laying off Northwest Territories staff in the programs affected by devolution. The Government of the Northwest Territories has committed to provide a reasonable job offer to all affected employees six months prior to effective date. The reasonable job offer includes a commitment to match as closely as possible the location of affected employees. The final decision on which employees are laid off will be made by Canada, likely close to the six-month deadline for the reasonable job offers.
A high-level organizational design is anticipated to be completed by the end of October 2012, and a detailed organization design will be finalized for May 2013. The detailed organization design will
include recommendations on the number of positions to be established and their location. I have committed to keep the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning informed of the progress of the organization design work underway.