Yes, I do, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2014-2015 Main Estimates for the Department of Executive.

The proposed budget for the Department of Executive in 2014-15 is $11.563 million. This represents a reduction of $8.901 million, or 43 percent, from the department’s 2013-14 budget. The department’s staff complement will also be reduced from 71 to 66.

As Members know, the department has had responsibility for devolution negotiations and implementation planning, coordinating the efforts of participating departments and providing overall leadership and project management for this complex endeavour.

With the successful conclusion of devolution negotiations and the signing of the final agreement earlier this year, and with full implementation of devolution on April 1, 2014, the devolution negotiation and devolution implementation planning functions that have been housed in Executive will no longer be required.

In 2014-2015 the department will contribute to this government’s commitment to decentralization, by expanding the number of single window service centres to three additional communities. As Members know, the department’s government service officers provide services directly to residents in their communities, including in their homes and in their Aboriginal language. These positions provide local employment and make it easier for community residents to access many government programs, including those provided by Canada.

We are proposing to add three new government service officers in the communities of Fort McPherson, Deline and Behchoko. This will increase the number of government service offices in small communities from 15 to 18. In addition, we are also proposing the establishment of a single window service centre coordinator position in Inuvik and a regional administration assistant in the North Slave.

It should be noted that these additional positions will be established through a re-profiling of existing resources within the department.

There are some additional changes that are being proposed to the department’s structure and functions in 2014-2015.

The main estimates reflect the decision made earlier this year to transfer the program review office and Bureau of Statistics to the Department of Finance, to better align with that department’s existing responsibilities for government-wide business planning.

The senior advisor for the Status of Women position will also transfer to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, as that position liaises with both the Northwest Territories and national Native Women’s Associations and with the Northwest Territories and federal and provincial Status of Women Councils and thus aligns well with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations’ mandate.

In summary, the department proposes to reorganize its remaining functions to create a smaller senior management team, with increased small community presence and a more integrated organizational structure.

I am now prepared to answer any questions from the committee about the Department of Executive’s 2014-2015 Main Estimates.