Members Present:

Secretariat:

Regrets:

Guests: (9:00-11:30 only)

Council is waiting for the official re-appointment of Bill Mann representing the Yukon Chamber of Mines.

Joella Hogan has been nominated on behalf of the Council of Yukon First Nations to replace Roger Alfred. Council is awaiting the official appointment.

James Grattan's term as Chair expirers on November 28, 2003 and he will not be seeking re-appointment on council.

Louise Bouvier moved and Charlotte Hrenchuck seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried.

Ralph Nordling moved and Louise Bouvier seconded the motion to approve the February 7-8, 2003 minutes. The motion carried.

Deputy Minister and staff of the newly created department of Economic Development presented an overview of the department. The mission statement and organizational chart have been created for the department. The department has held a series of key stakeholder meetings to provide input into the creation of an Economic Development Strategic plan. Individual meetings are currently taking place between key stakeholders and the deputy Minister. In December, key stakeholder meetings will take place to review the summary of information received during the one-on-one meetings and presentation of a draft strategy.

YCEE provided the following comments and recommendations on the development of an economic direction:

• The quality of life is a competitive advantage for jurisdictions.
• The levels of health, education and the environment provide a broader picture of the economy.
• Social impacts cannot be ignored with regards to economic development.
• Council encourages the department to establish links between departments to facilitate economic development.
• Council encourages the use of Sustainable Progress Indicators (SPI's) as a measuring tool for economic policy. SPI's are economic, social and environmental indicators that measure our capability for sustainable progress and development.
• The Yukon land claim process is almost completed and can be viewed as a competitive advantage as it presents a positive environment for business.
• Cultural industries are important to women and should be developed.
• Education is a key component of economic development.
• Utilize human resources within the Yukon.
• Economic development is required in rural Yukon to keep youth in the territory and in the communities.
• While the traditional responsible development of natural resources will play an important future role in the economy, the economic strategy should also include other innovative sectors.
• Must attempt to attract credible outside investment.
• Focus has been placed on developing entrepreneurs - this is not for everyone.
• Indictors need to be developed for economic development to measure progress and monitor if we are heading in the right direction.

ACTION: Request the roll-up of the economic development meeting and distribute to council members.

Council reviewed the draft discussion paper titled "Towards a Forest Policy Framework for the Yukon". Comments on the draft policy included:

• Council would like to be included in future workshops and committees for the development of the policy as it directly relates to YCEE's role of sustainable development.
• The policy requires a definition section to explain terms such as adaptive management, sustainability and any acronyms.
• Concerns were raised over the use of the term "Yukon Indian People" throughout the policy.
• The lack of measuring tools is a concern to council. Specific and measurable indicators need to be developed to assess and ensure that sustain the cultural, social and economic factors.

ACTION: A letter outlining council's comments on the draft Forestry Framework Policy will be drafted and circulated to council members for their review. Comments will be submitted by the December 15, 2003 deadline.

1. Captive Wildlife Recommendations

   The Minister of Environment approached the Chair of YCEE to take on a project to bridge the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and Minister of Environments impasse on the Captive Wildlife Recommendations. The chair and vice-chair then requested:

   • A background and history session on the captive wildlife issue.
   • A presentation on the UFA and how it affects legislation.
   • Specific terms of reference to focus the project.

   The terms of reference and discussion of the project is at cabinet level and council has not received any further information on the project. The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board have already done a significant amount of work on this subject. If there is to be future additional work completed by the YCEE, it must build upon as well as be complementary to what has already been done.

2. Sustainable Progress Indictors Project

   Toby Sanger from the Department of Economic Development is working on the final version of the Sustainable Progress Indicators report on a full time basis. Council will seek the SPI Report from government if not received by the New Year. Council will take the work that's been completed by government and contract out to finish the SPI work. The suggestion is for YCEE to take ownership of the SPI's to keep them useable. Economic Development's outline of use of the SPI's is required. The chair has had verbal contact with the Yukon Health and Social Services Council and they support and encourage the development of the SPI Project.

   ACTION: Draft letter requesting the SPI data from the Department of Economic Development.

3. Letter to Premier & Ministers of Environment, Energy, Mines & Resources and Business, Tourism & Culture

   Letters were sent to Ministers Lang, Kenyon and Taylor thanking them for attending council's last meeting and encouraging the new government to provide direction to YCEE. A response was received from the Minister of Environment advising council the government was looking at providing direction. As of the date of this meeting, no formal direction has been received.

4. Immigrant Investor's Fund (Yukon Gold Fund)

   Letter and overview of the Immigrant Investors Fund was received from Minister Taylor. Consideration will be given to the next business investment upon receipt of more immigrant investment funds.

5. Annual Report

   Copies of the 2002/03 Annual Report were distributed to council members. The report will now go through the approval process for tabling in the legislature, at which time it becomes public.

6. Chair's Exit Interview

   James Grattan met with Chris Young, Executive Assistant for the Minister of Environment, and provided constructive feedback to the department as part of an exit interview.

   • The large number of changes in government over the past three years have made it difficult to develop relationships with senior government officials.
   • As a tool to focus resources and priorities as well as measure successes / failures, Council supported the concept of Accountability Plans.
   • Challenges within Council included filling vacant seats as well as having full attendance at all meetings. Alternates are not currently allowed and government is encouraged to reconsider this decision.
   • As detailed in the Annual Report, Council has been waiting for various government documents in order to complete its legislated review responsibilities.
   • The Council is not designed to have significant policy or major initiative developmental resources. These resources are within government. Council is to provide feedback, comments, advice, etc. on the aforementioned government responsibilities. Given the large number of changes in government, Council has not had a large opportunity to provide feedback due to the lack of material to provide feedback on.
   • Reviewed Council's 1999 review of the State of Environment Report and pointed out that at least one significant recommendation had not been implemented for the 2002 report. While government has the right to accept or reject any recommendation, Council was, nevertheless, disappointed.
   • The Council makes decisions based on a Consensus Model. Consideration should be given to majority and minority decisions (similar to the Judiciary) as it has been difficult to come to consensus on some difficult issues.
   • The rotation of secretariat support between the Departments of Environment and Economic Development has typically happened every two years. Government is encouraged to continue with this rotation.
7. Selection of Chair

   It is council's understanding that government selects the chair. It was agreed upon that the chair should be based out of Whitehorse for logistical reasons.

   ACTION: Draft letter to request the appointment of a chair if one is not appointed within one month's time.

8. Secretariat Support

   Council discussed secretariat support rotating between the Departments of Environment and Economic Development.

   ACTION: Draft letter to cabinet requesting policy support from the Department of Economic Development.

Yukon Chamber of Commerce: Chamber has been involved in the consultation process with the Department of Economic Development to develop an Economic Strategy. AGM was held in Haines, Alaska in October and joint Yukon/Alaska initiatives were discussed. The chamber is seeking consultation on the Yukon/Alaska Railway prospect. YCC supports the Taxpayer Protection Act legislation changes.

Yukon Status of Women Council: YSWC has been focusing on rural women's issues. Every community with the exception of Haines Junction was visited. A report identifying the priorities for rural women will be completed by the end of 2003 and will be distributed to government and NGO's.

Council of Yukon First Nations: CYFN will be updated on YCEE's initiatives and challenges. YCEE should look at utilizing the budget dollars assigned to council for 2003/04.

Yukon Federation of Labour: No specific issues to report on.

Yukon Aboriginal Woman Association: Louise Bouvier resigned as the president of YAWA in March 2003. She hopes to continue to work with YCEE. Hopes that government continues to utilize council as they have completed valuable work during her involvement since 1991.

Yukon Conservation Society: YCS is focusing on forestry issues. Two people have been employed to work on forest policy. YCS is happy with the definition of "forest" being broader than the forestry industry. YCS supports the concept of YCEE, sustainability and SPI's.

Ralph Nordling (member at large): The Dawson City area is in an economic pinch due to the new placer mining regulations and lack of government infrastructure dollars being spent. Placer mining production is down approximately 20%.

TBA

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Chair