Members Present:

Secretariat:

Regrets:

Guests:

"Measuring Sustainable Development: Genuine Progress Indicators" Presentation:

The chair welcomed new member at large, Mike Phillips, from Whitehorse.

Malcolm Taggart has been officially appointed as Vice Chair.

A letter has been sent to the Federation of Labour seeking a nomination to fill the vacant position. It is expected the appointment will be made shortly.

Charlotte Hrenchuk has accepted the re-nomination to the Yukon Status of Women Council position. It is expected that the re-appointment will be made shortly.

Malcolm Taggart requested a discussion on the correspondence of Authorization for Travel and Honoraria be added to the agenda. Malcolm Taggart moved and Louise Bouvier seconded the motion to approve the modified agenda. The motion carried.

Randy Taylor moved and Malcolm Taggart seconded the motion to approve the June 4 & 5, 2004 minutes as modified. (Item #12 - Pg. #6 to include discussion and approval of Chair attending Partners for Economic Planning (PEP) meetings on YCEE's behalf). The motion carried.

The Chair has been representing YCEE at the Department of Economic Development's PEP meetings.

The Chair provided Council with an update of the November 5th meeting.

1. Public/Private Partnerships (P3's)

   Council reviewed and discussed the information presentation on P3's. Council would like to be involved in the consultation work on the P3 Policy.

   Malcolm Taggart moved and Randy Taylor seconded the motion to invite representatives from the Department of Economic Development to provide a presentation to YCEE on Public Private Partnerships. Council would like to be informed to make comments on the development of policy. The motion carried.

   ACTION: YCEE will request a presentation from the Department of Economic Development on Public Private Partnerships to aid in council's review and comments of the policy at the next meeting.

2. INAC Discussion paper on "Strategic Investment in Northern Economic Development"

   The Federal Government has budgeted $90 million to be spent over five years in support of northern economic development. INAC will administer the fund for a 10% administration fee. Council supports the concept of the Yukon Government administering the fund.

Council reviewed the November 8th letter from the Minister of Environment stating that the government is unable to provide direction or timelines for the Strategy's revision.

Council has sent two letters to the Minister of Economic Development requesting the finalized Sustainable Progress Indicators. No reply has been received.

ACTION: Draft letter to re-request the finalized Sustainable Progress Indicators.

YCEE is still awaiting the release of the 2002 SOE Report and 2003 Interim Report to fulfill their legislated responsibilities and make further recommendations.

The Chair encouraged members to review Council's recommendations on the 1999 SOE Report. One of the key recommendations in 1999 was to include socio-economic conditions in the SOER to provide a more integrated approach to the definition of "Environment".

Randy Taylor moved and Charlotte Hrenchuk seconded the motion to draft a letter to the Minister of Environment urging the government fulfill their legislated responsibility and complete the 2002 SOE Report. The motion carried.

ACTION: Draft letter to Minister of Environment urging the completion of the 2002 State of the Environment Report.

Council reviewed and discussed the associated timelines and process for YESAA and the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB). Council realizes the importance of the YESAA legislation and regulations to the future of the Yukon.

Elaine Shorty moved and Malcolm Taggart seconded the motion to invite the YESAB Board to attend the next YCEE meeting and provide an update on the YESAA process to Council membership. The motion carried.

ACTION: Request a presentation on YESAA from YESAB Board for next meeting.

Council discussed the October 6th, 2004 letter from Edward Huebert, Deputy Minister of Environment, on authorization for travel and honoraria. The procedures for travel were reviewed.

Louise Bouvier moved and Randy Taylor seconded the motion that the YCEE membership approves of Ralph Nordling, as Chair, to attend meetings on YCEE'S behalf and have confidence in his judgment and discretion on which meetings require his attendance. The motion carried.

Charlotte Hrenchuk moved and Elaine Shorty seconded the motion for the vice chair to draft a letter to the Deputy Minister of Environment responding to the October 6th letter. The motion carried.

ACTION: Letter to be drafted to Deputy Minister of Environment in responds to the issue of YCE travel and honoraria.

Council discussed the duties of secretariat support. Traditionally the secretariat has rotated between the Departments of Environment and Economic Development on a bi-annual basis. Policy support and attendance of Council meetings by the secretariat have been absent for approximately a year and a half.

Louise Bouvier moved and Bill Mann seconded the motion to draft a letter to Minister of Environment requesting policy support for Council. The motion carried.

ACTION: Draft letter to Minister of Environment requesting policy support.

Council reviewed discussion paper "Towards a Forest Policy Framework for the Yukon". Hilda Price will research and provide Council with an update on the Kaska Forest Stewardship Council undertakings for the next meeting.

ACTION: Request a presentation on the draft forest policy framework.

1. COUNCIL OF YUKON FIRST NATIONS BOARDS NEWSLETTER

   Council reviewed the September 2004 newsletter, which contains information about the Umbrella Final Agreement Boards and Committees.

2. YH&SSC MEETING MINUTES

   Reviewed March 5th & 6th and June 4th & 5th meeting minutes.

3. NATIONAL ROUND TABLE ON THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT INDICATORS

   Council reviewed the NRTEE's Environment and Sustainable Development Indicators for Canada.

Yukon Status of Women Council: YSWC working with a coalition from Nunavut & NWT on women, homelessness and housing.
Yukon Aboriginal Woman Association: Nothing to report at this time.
Yukon Chamber of Mines: The YCM continues to work on YESAA legislation and regulations.
Council of Yukon First Nations:
Yukon Conservation Society:
Association of Yukon Communities: AYC has expressed no concerns with any issues.
Member at Large:

Council briefed Dr. Colman on the Yukon and some of YCEE's initiatives such as Sustainable Progress Indicator's, State of the Environment Reporting, Yukon Conservation Strategy, Yukon Environmental & Socio-economic Assessment Act, Economic Development Direction and general information on the Yukon Territory and it's issues. The collection of data for indicator work from a small database was discussed.

Dr. Colman provided council and invited government officials with an overview of the benefits of indicator reporting, linking reporting to policy, and an overview of the genuine progress indicators model for Atlantic Canada. The presentation was followed by a question period.

Approximately 60 people attended the presentation on "Measuring Sustainable Development: Genuine Progress Indicators". Dr. Colman provided the public with an overview of the benefits of indicator reporting, linking reporting to policy, and an overview of the genuine progress indicators model for Atlantic Canada. The presentation was followed by a question period.

The presentation fulfilled the YCEE's mandate of encouraging public discussion of the economy and the environment and their inter-relationship and awareness of the importance of sustainable development.

TBA - Mid January - Whitehorse

Council discussed meeting in a Yukon community as per YCEE's mandate. Possible topics for hosting a forum/community meeting include gaming, oil/gas and pipeline issues.

Member Elaine Shorty will look into the gaming issue for Champagne/Aishihik First Nation and the Chair will make contact with oil and gas industry representatives to discuss development.

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Chair