2005-06 Government of Nunavut Business Plan

22000055--22000066 ISBN# 1-55325-071-0 February, 2005 Government of Nunavut Foreword In this document are business plans for the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, the ten Government of Nunavut departments and the Nunavut Housing Corporation, to support the Government of Nunavut 2005-2006 Main Estimates. Each business plan is organized into five sections: Introduction, Strategic Link to Pinasuaqtavut, Environmental Scan, Core Business, and Appendices. The Introduction provides an overview of each department's mission, vision, principles and values as well as a brief description of current language initiatives. The Strategic Link to Pinasuaqtavut provides an opportunity for departments to describe in general terms how they deliver programs and services in accordance with the principles of IQ and guidelines that are set out in Pinasuaqtavut. The Environment Scan provides the context, or setting, for the operations of each department. Their clients, challenges − constraints and pressures − and opportunities are described. The Environmental Scan concludes with the Critical Issues for each department − what is critical to keep in mind or do, given the current status and environment, to accomplish its mission. The Core Business section describes what each department does. Each program is briefly described and relevant budget indicated. For each line of business, a status report is provided on the priorities that were identified for the 2004-2005 fiscal year and new and/or continued priorities are identified for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Each of the appendices has a specific purpose. Appendix I describes the accounting structure, key departmental roles and provides a financial summary for departmental operations, providing an additional lens for viewing the 2005-2006 Main Estimates, since the Estimates cannot be directly compared with the Core Business sections of the plan. Within the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs plan, Appendix II has been added to provide a brief update on the decentralization initiative. As well, within the Department of Human Resources plan, Appendix III has been added to provide government wide information on staffing. - i - Government of Nunavut Table of Contents Office of the Legislative Assembly A-1 to A-15 Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs B-1 to B-26 Finance C-1 to C-28 Human Resources D-1 to D-27 Justice E-1 to E-37 Culture, Language, Elders and Youth F-1 to F-29 Education G-1 to G-34 Health and Social Services H-1 to H-30 Environment I-1 to I-24 Community and Government Services J-1 to J-32 Economic Development and Transportation K-1 to K-23 Nunavut Housing Corporation L-1 to L-30 - ii - This page is purposely blank. 22000055--22000066 This page is purposely blank. Office of the Legislative Assembly TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Mission ................................................................................................. 1 Vision ................................................................................................... 1 Principles and Values .......................................................................... 1 Language Services ................................................................................ 2 STRATEGIC LINK TO PINASUAQTAVUT...................................... 3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN .................................................................. 4 Critical Issues ....................................................................................... 4 CORE BUSINESS Assembly Operations............................................................................ 6 Expenditures on Behalf of Members ................................................... 9 Support to Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly .......... 11 APPENDICES I. Accounting Structure and Financial Summary .............................. 13 This page is purposely blank. Office of the Legislative Assembly INTRODUCTION The Office of the Legislative Assembly is established pursuant to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. The Office supports Nunavut's elected MLAs in the conduct of their duties. We provide support to the Legislative Assembly's independent officers, and work to inform Nunavummiut of the proceedings of the Assembly and its Committees. Our Mission Consistent with Pinasuaqtavut, the governance traditions of Northern Canada and established principles of parliamentary democracy, the Office of the Legislative Assembly provides quality programs and services that support an environment in which Members can best fulfill their roles and responsibilities as the elected representatives of Nunavummiut. Our Vision An institution whose people provide the best possible administrative, procedural and information support to elected Members in the conduct of their business in the Chamber, committees, constituencies and caucuses. Our Principles and Values Integrity We acknowledge that, by its very nature, the Legislative Assembly is a political arena in which diverse positions and perspectives are articulated. However, we serve Members in a manner consistent with the need to maintain their confidence in our impartiality and professionalism. Transparency We recognize that the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly are the most visible day-to-day expression of Nunavut's government at work. We strive to ensure that the public is informed of House proceedings and committee business through the publication of one of the few bilingual Hansards in Canada; the publication of committee reports; the broadcasting of sittings and selected committee hearings; and the maintenance of an informative, up-to-date web presence. Business Plan Page A-1 Office of the Legislative Assembly Accountability We are cognizant of the need to ensure that our resources are used wisely and that we obtain value for the public funds that we expend in support of Members' business. Diversity We respect and celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity of Nunavut through the way we ourselves work, and in how we provide services to Members. Language Services The Office of the Legislative Assembly provides a wide range of services to Members and the public in Nunavut’s official languages. When in Session, the proceedings of the House are broadcast daily on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN), with the language of broadcast rotating on a daily basis. Advertisements and notices intended for the public are published in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French. Official Legislative Assembly publications are available in up to four languages, as appropriate. The Legislative Assembly publishes one of only four bilingual Hansards in Canada. Interpretation services are provided for all caucus and standing committee meetings, as well as public events sponsored by the Legislative Assembly. Page A-2 2005-2006 Office of the Legislative Assembly STRATEGIC LINK TO PINASUAQTAVUT Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is reflected in the manner in which we provide services to MLAs and the public. We work to ensure that Members and the public receive services and documents in the language of their choice; we strive to maintain a Legislative Assembly precinct that reflects and showcases Nunavut’s rich cultural and artistic heritage; we provide the forum and tools with which elected Members may articulate and advance their priorities. The respected place of Elders in society is reflected by their prominence in Legislative Assembly events and their service in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Healthy Communities The Office of the Legislative Assembly recognizes that the health of communities depends in part upon their residents being informed and engaged in the democratic process and their own governance. We strive to make the proceedings of the House accessible to the public and support the work of Members’ constituency offices in their capacity as a key linkage between state and society. Simplicity and Unity The Office of the Legislative Assembly ensures that a wide range of clear information is available to the public on the work of the Assembly and its committees. Services to Members are provided in an easily accessible and consistent manner. Self-Reliance The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut has taken its place in the national and international parliamentary community. We support Nunavut’s obligations to fully contribute to the activities of such bodies as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Continued Learning We support the efforts of both Members and employees to maximize their potential through the pursuit of educational and training opportunities. We recognize that an important component of our work is to foster among young Nunavummiut an awareness of, and interest in, the work of the Legislative Assembly. Such initiatives as the Assembly’s Page Program provide unique learning opportunities for youth. Business Plan Page A-3 Office of the Legislative Assembly ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN Constitutional Context Canada's Westminster system of parliamentary democracy requires a rigorous separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Fostering effective and collegial working relationships with the executive branch of government, while ensuring the independence of the Legislative Assembly, is essential. Nunavut's consensus style of governance calls upon us to serve Members in a manner that respects the character of the institution. Service Context The challenge of delivering quality services to elected Members is

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