J809/Dept of Exec/Bus. Plan Cvr 2/14/03 11:10 AM Page 1 BUSINESS PLANS NORTHWEST TERRITORIES 2003 - 2006 GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES BUSINESS PLANS 2003-2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Government-Wide Business Plan............................................................................... Section A Legislative Assembly..................................................................................................................1 Department of the Executive......................................................................................................2 Financial Management Board Secretariat.................................................................................3 Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs .....................................................................................................4 Department of Finance ...............................................................................................................5 Municipal and Community Affairs .............................................................................................6 Public Works and Services ........................................................................................................7 Health and Social Services.........................................................................................................8 Department of Justice.................................................................................................................9 Northwest Territories Housing Corporation ...........................................................................10 Education, Culture and Employment ......................................................................................11 Department of Transportation..................................................................................................12 Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development ..................................................................13 GOVERNMENT-WIDE 2003-2006 BUSINESS PLAN Government-Wide Business Plans 2003-2006 1. VISION The 14th Legislative Assembly has adopted Towards a Better Tomorrow as its “agenda”. The document outlined the Assembly’s vision for a prosperous future that can be described as being: To reach our full potential as people of the Northwest Territories, we need to build upon a common vision and work in partnership towards a vibrant, prosperous and unified territory that we can all be proud of. Our vision should reflect our values and should describe the kind of future that we all would like to see - for ourselves, our families and our territory. We propose the following as a vision that all Northerners can share. Since the beginning of the Assembly, legislators, and the Executive Council have taken a number of actions to achieve this vision. Based on the approach of “investment for the future” actions have included developing and pursuing key initiatives as well as continuing to refine and strengthen existing programs and services. This fourth and final business plan of the 14th Legislative Assembly continues to focus on this vision. It recognizes the importance of maintaining a consistent view while continuing to adjust activities to meet the changing operational environment and needs of Northerners. 2. MISSION Within the vision described in Towards a Better Tomorrow, The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to promote the following four key priorities. These priorities remain as a core element of business planning. They are: 1. Self-reliant individuals, families and communities, working with government, toward improving social well-being; 2. Better governance through partnerships; 3. A northern-controlled economy that is balanced, diversified, stable and vibrant; and, 4. Adequate resources helping all levels of government to become more self-reliant in meeting the needs of the people they serve. Achieving these priorities will require a long-term commitment of the GNWT and its partners. Ongoing work to build broad consensus while taking action to demonstrate leadership continues to be essential to the GNWT’s purpose and goals. Section A-2 Government-Wide Business Plans 2003-2006 3. ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN The GNWT, like all provinces and territories, operates in a complex and changing environment. Social, economic and political matters, within the NWT, at the national level and, on occasion, within the international community strongly influence the government’s activities. Understanding these influences is critical to the government’s success. Over the past few years, the continued evolution of northern governance, strong economic growth resulting from non-renewable resource development; and efforts to improve access to programs and services have been features of the environment within which the GNWT is operating. It is important to recognize the key elements that influence the GNWT’s activities as well as analysing and assessing their impact on the GNWT, with the goal of ensuring that northerners have the best possible opportunities to benefit from a vibrant and prosperous Northwest Territories. For the business-planning period some of the key features in the operating environment are outlined below. 1. Economic opportunities associated with resource development provide a strong basis for Territorial growth. During the past year, strong economic growth associated with the resource development has continued to suggest a bright future for the Northwest Territories. Real NWT GDP increased by 20.8% in 2001, largely driven by diamond mine construction. Employment of Northerners has continued to climb and business investment has remained strong. During the planning period it is expected that although economic growth will slow as capital investment levels fall, employment and other economic indicators will remain strong. Key aspects of future growth include: the opening of the North’s second diamond mine, Diavik which is expected to begin production in 2003; continued oil and gas exploration in the Beaufort Delta and along the Mackenzie Valley; the potential for a gas pipeline south from the Beaufort Delta; and the prospects for several additional mining ventures, including a third diamond mine. With possibly three diamond mines and a Mackenzie Valley pipeline the potential exists for billions of dollars in resource royalties and tax revenues to be generated. As much as $70 billion could flow to the Government of Canada from royalties and taxes over the life of the mines and gas fields. Non-renewable resource development and other activities such as tourism present significant opportunities for NWT businesses and for employment of northerners. 2. An effective balance between resource development and environmental protection is required to meet the interests of Northerners. Economic activity and the growth and development of our northern communities cannot be sustained without environmental stewardship. The northern biophysical environment is sensitive to environmental disturbances and less able to recover quickly. In addition to our Section A-3 Government-Wide Business Plans 2003-2006 own legislation and policies, the territorial government is party to numerous inter- jurisdictional protocols and agreements relating to the maintenance of environmental integrity, air and water quality, waste and energy management, biodiversity, forest ecosystems and the distribution and abundance of wildlife. As well, there are obligations under land claims agreements to provide technical advice and data concerning renewable resources upon which most of our communities depend. The capacity of the GNWT to meet these obligations is compromised by a lack of financial resources to create plans for the conservation, development and protection of our natural resources. To address this situation, the GNWT is pursuing the devolution of responsibility for land and water management from Canada. Negotiations have been initiated in close cooperation with Aboriginal governments with a goal of ensuring that responsibilities are transferred to northern governments as soon as possible. 3. Northern governance is changing as a result of new self-government, land claims and intergovernmental agreements. The GNWT has an active role in supporting these changes and in promoting a stable and effective northern governance structure. The Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, and Aboriginal Governments are currently engaged in Aboriginal rights negotiations. As well, the Intergovernmental Forum provides a government-to-government-to-government process in which there can be effective discussion of issues of common concern such as devolution, capacity building and economic development. These processes are changing the nature of governance in the Northwest Territories. The GNWT remains strongly committed to ensuring that these processes respect Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as the basic democratic rights of all residents of the Northwest Territories. Discussions and negotiations will continue during the planning period. It is expected that by placing a priority on our efforts, there will be resolution of a number of key matters. This will clarify Northern governance structures and encourage collaboration and partnerships between northern governments. 4. Limited financial resources constrain GNWT flexibility. The Government of the Northwest Territories has limited fiscal flexibility to both maintain existing programs and services and make the strategic investments needed to maximize northern