Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Timely Receipt of Materials
The standing committee received the Minister's letter transmitting the action plan at the close of business on Friday, January 13, 2016. The committee's in camera preparation for the public review began on the afternoon of the following business day. This effectively left the standing committee with a half-day to prepare for consideration of the 36-page action plan. This is unacceptable.
The committee considers that it is a contravention of section 10 of the Process Convention on Communications between Cabinet Ministers, Standing Committees and Regular MLAs to provide such materials any later than three business days prior to the meeting at which the materials should be provided. The deputy minister offered the explanation that this delay was due to the department's desire to consult with its partner agencies on the action plan.
The committee appreciates the well-intended apology offered by the deputy minister, but it is of the view that the late provision of important materials to the standing committee evidences lack of understanding and/or lack of respect on the part of the department for the standing committee's oversight role in the process. Ultimately, the onus rests with Minister to ensure the timely transmittal of materials.
Recommendation 2
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that, in future, any GNWT department being audited provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its action or implementation plan at the earliest possible opportunity and no later than three business days prior to the public review on the Auditor General's report, consistent with the Process Convention on Communications between Cabinet Ministers, Standing Committees, and Regular Members.
Receipt of the Action Plan in Draft Format
The standing committee has an excellent working relationship with Office of the Auditor General and, as a matter of course, has in-depth discussions both in camera and in public with the Auditor General and his staff. This gives the committee insight into the findings and recommendations made in the audit and, as importantly, into the purpose of the Auditor General's recommendations and the outcome that his office hopes the audit will achieve. This dialogue informs the production of this report and the committee's recommendations, which may be of some benefit to the audited department in refining its approach to addressing the concerns the Auditor General raises.
The standing committee takes notes of and commends MACA for the department's willingness, as expressed in the opening presentation by the deputy minister and in the action plan itself, to make changes and adjustments to the action plan based on the Standing Committee's feedback and that from other stakeholders.
The following recommendation is forward-looking and made with respect to future departments selected for audit by the OAG:
Recommendation 3
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that any GNWT department, selected in future for an audit, provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its action or implementation plan in draft format and, further, that the document not be finalized until the Department has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations made as a result of the Standing Committee's review.
Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member for Deh Cho will continue from here.