Secretariat:

Regrets:

Guest Presenters:

Agenda amended to delete item on Alaska Highway Pipeline and replace with a presentation from representatives of the Northern Climate Exchange.

Premier Pat Duncan, Minister Dale Eftoda and Dave Buchan, of the Health and Social Services Council were added to the Agenda for Saturday morning.

R. Nordling moved that the minutes of the March 17 & 18, 2000 meeting be approved as written. Seconded by K. Watson. MOTION PASSED.

The Chair introduced the new members and gave a brief overview of the Council's mandate and initiatives that are underway. Council was informed of the new YCEE website [http://www.ycee.yk.net].

K. Watson presented the final report by the Pembina Institute on the Sustainable Progress Indicators: Framework, Indicators and Implementation Approach for Reviewing the Yukon Economic Strategy. After general discussion, K. Watson moved that the report be accepted. Seconded by A. Williams. MOTION PASSED.

The Bureau of Statistics presented an overview of statistics currently collected that could implement Council's sustainable development indicators. The Bureau suggested that other statistics may be obtained from other government departments, primarily the Department of Renewable Resources, using data from the State of the Environment Report and the Department of Economic Development through use of a business survey. As well, data from the Federal government could be used, but requires the Yukon government to enact a Statistics Act first.

Angus Robertson, Chief Negotiator for Devolution, Pamela Muir and Marg Crombie from the Executive Council Office provided an update on the devolution talks.

Anyslie Ogden gave an overview of the Northern Climate Exchange activities. She provided an update on two upcoming events: the September Climate Change Workshop, and the March 2001 Trade Show/Summit.

The Premier presented a number of topics for the Council to consider in its work. They included:

• e-commerce/knowledge
• wilderness tourism
• economic development in the communities
• post-secondary education
• Alaska Highway Pipeline

Dave Buchan briefly discussed the Health and Social Services Council's upcoming projects. Members recognized that collaboration between the two councils is important.

1. Sustainable Development Indicators

The possibility of using the indicators for reviewing the Yukon Conservation Strategy was discussed. It was felt that the mandate of the Council should include the review of the indicators on a regular basis. The possibility of using this report to review the Economic Strategy was discussed.

ACTION: The Chair will write a letter to the Premier asking firstly for adoption of the report and subsequently for support in collecting the data that is needed.

2. State of the Environment Report (SOER)

Council discussed the need to review the SOER and provide comments, by letter, to the Legislature.

ACTION: Secretariat will bring forward the report to next meeting for Council’s review.

3. E-commerce

There was discussion on how the Council should pursue this item. It was decided that the Council could not undertake the full review process. Council discussed the number of programs in this area and the need to avoid duplication.

ACTION: Secretariat will examine what work had been done, and discuss it again at the next meeting.

4. Wilderness Tourism

ACTION: Secretariat will identify a speaker to address this issue.

5. Alaska Highway Pipeline Overview

ACTION: Secretariat will arrange for a presentation at the next meeting.

Due to the difficulty in coordinating the dates for meetings, the Council decided to select the dates in advance. The following dates were chosen (locations are yet to be determined):

December 1-2, 2000
February 9-10, 2001
April 6-7, 2001
June 8-9, 2001

Members were asked to please include these in their calendar.

______________________________________

Richard Buchan, Chair