Secretariat:

Presenters:

Regrets:

The Draft Agenda was approved with the following changes:

• Addition to the Yukon Conservation Strategy Discussion of "Revisions"
• Deletion of "Building Consensus - Decision Making Protocol"
• Addition of "Administration Section" to Saturday's Agenda after Regulations

Andy Williams moved the minutes of December 2, 1997 be approved as written.

MOTION PASSED It was noted as a subnote that Kathy Watson is on the Diversification Working Group.

The Chair welcomed the Council, particularly Kathy Watson, George Johnson and Ralph Nordling who were attending their first meeting.

Staff from Renewable Resources provided Council members with handouts and explained what is necessary to conduct the review of the government's performance in its implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy and in completing the Revisions to the Yukon Conservation Strategy.

A) Review of the Implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy

The approach taken by the Working Group was presented. It was noted that there is no clear definition on how the review is to be conducted. It was also noted that the current process does not provide a strong link between actions and objectives norand there is a need for effective indicators to assist in an effective review. The Working Group has decided to focus on nine themes and develop performance indicators for the actions in these areas. Members discussed issues associated with using different performance indicators for the stated actions.

B) Revisions to the Yukon Conservation Strategy

Staff presented the timeline required for developing revisions to the Yukon Conservation Strategy, which is to be tabled in 1999 and suggested that the YCEE should begin this project after the Review of the Implementation of the Conservation Strategy is tabled.

An overview of the requirements as outlined in the Environment Act, Section 48 were provided by Renewable Resources staff and the Interim State of the Environment Report (Focus on Air Quality and Climate Change) was presented.

Members expressed general satisfaction with the report, but suggested that information on First Nation traditional knowledge should be interwoven within the report instead of in a separate section. Members discussed how the Council could use public education to make the document a more useful tool. There was support to look into this further. Members discussed the issue of climate change and air quality. The lack of Yukon-wide information and the lack of knowledge of the impact of climate change was noted. The Council agreed they are supportive of further work being done on this subject in the future.

The memo from the Working Group on Economic Diversification was reviewed and discussed. The following was agreed to:

• while not forgetting the value and importance of the existing "traditional" sectors of the economy, we will focus on broadening the scope of our economy to look at strengthening other sectors.
• while we will not detract from one sector, we will work at enhancing the "nontraditonal" sectors.
• we will try to build a stronger foundation for better future growth.

The Working Group will also look at:

• developing a "monitoring system" to indicate the diversification of the economy by selecting an appropriate set(s) of indicators and determining when they need to be gathered.
• pulling together thorough background pieces on the state of such issues as:
• access to capital
• transportation
• communication
• taxes, fees and regulations
• the Working Group should choose two or three for immediate review.
• while the Working Group will work out the scope of each piece, it could consider what is available today, constraints, opportunities, future possibilities and areas for further review.
• the same approach for the societal/equity section.
• look at what information is needed to put together a picture of businesses in the Yukon that would be helpful for our work.

A) Section 41.4 - Regulations for the YCEE

Renewable Resources staff reviewed the requirements for developing regulations under the Environment Act and presented a timeline for developing the regulations. Renewable Resources will conduct a public review and indicated that the Council is welcome to have input into this process. Staff and members discussed issues related to the different areas where regulations are required.

Council members recommended that the Draft Regulations incorporate the following conditions:

• Maximum of 12 members on the Council
• The term of office will be 3 years but should be staggered initially to ensure regular turnover.
• Remuneration and expenses should reflect the boards and committees honorarium policy in the General Administration Manual
• Standards should make reference to "good behaviour", following operating procedures of the organization, and regular attendance (not more than three consecutive meetings missed).

Members discussed the importance of maintaining gender and regional equity, but noted that some of these issues are addressed in the legislation. Members also discussed whether conflict of interest provisions should be included and agreed, that these should at least apply to the chair.

B) Sections 22 - 28 - Regulations for Complaints under the Environment Act

The Department of Renewable Resources noted that it is interested in developing an operational process for responding to potential complaints under the Environment Act and would like the YCEE to assist by helping to define what constitutes a complaint and the process to be followed in recording a complaint. Members discussed the importance of increasing the level of public education in this area.

C) Operating Procedures

Members reviewed draft revised Operating Procedures presented by the Secretariat and proposed a number of changes.

8. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

Secretariat provided members with an update on planning for the conference and the possibility of having the Council organize public speaking sessions with participants from the conference.

The chair presented a proposal for holding regional workshops to localize some of the themes of the conference. Members discussed this proposal and how the public could most effectively become engaged in these issues.

9. WORKPLAN:

Secretariat presented a draft workplan for Council members and indicated that this would be sent to Cabinet for information.

10. REQUEST TO REVIEW OIL AND GAS ACT

The Minister of Economic Development had forwarded a letter to YCEE requesting their comments on the Oil and Gas Act. Since the Act has been passed, it was thought that a review of what the potential problem areas are in implementing the Act would be helpful. The hiring of a consultant to assist with the review was discussed.

11. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

12. PUBLIC EDUCATION

Secretariat inquired whether members would like updates on certain policy/topics and discussion ensued regarding having possible lunch hour briefings. Various topics were discussed for public education.

13. YUKON PROTECTED AREAS STRATEGY - Information Only

Secretariat presented a Background Paper. The relation of protected areas to special management areas and the need for public education were noted as issues.

14. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held in Dawson City on April 3^rd and 4^th, 1998.

Meeting adjourned at 3:20 P.M.

______________________________________

Jennifer Mauro, Chair