Members Present:

Secretariat:

Regrets:

Guests: (8:30-10:15 only)

Council met with recruits Departments of Foreign Affairs & International Trade. The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the recruits with the economic, political and social issues of the Yukon in order to assist them in their future responsibilities to represent Canadian values and interests abroad.

The chair presented an overview and background on YCEE and highlighted council's goals, objectives and initiatives. Manon Moreau, Policy Analyst from the Department of Environment, delivered a presentation on the State of the Environment Reporting. Presentations were followed by a question & answer period.

Paperwork has been completed to fill the vacant Yukon Chamber of Commerce and Member at Large positions. It is expected the appointments will be made shortly.

Louise Bouvier moved and Bill Mann seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried.

Bill Mann moved and Louise Bouvier seconded the motion to approve the November 21, 2003 minutes. The motion carried.

1. Vice Chair Selection

   Members suggested that Malcolm Taggart be approached to fill the position of Vice Chair for YCEE. It was noted that it is important to have a vice chair representative from Whitehorse as the chair is located in Dawson City.

   ACTION: Chair will approach Malcolm Taggart and seek his nomination as Vice Chair.

2. Secretariat Support

   The Department of Environment will continue to act as Secretariat for YCEE until the mandate review is complete. Expenses will be paid by the Department of Environment and inquiries concerning YCEE operations and budget should be forwarded to Policy and Planning, Environment. Manon Moreau will be leaving her position as of April 30, 2004. Nina Sutherland will provide interim policy support to YCEE. Steven Smyth is the A/Manager for Policy and Planning, Environment until October. Phyllis Copeland will continue to remain the Department contact for honorariums and travel claims.

3. Vice Chair Selection

   Update on State of the Environment Report Manon Moreau presented an update on the 2002 State of the Environment Report. It is currently in the approval stage. The report will then be printed and tabled in the legislature. Upon the report's public release, YCEE may then conduct their review. A contractor has been hired to prepare the 2003 interim report. The informal use of indicators has been adopted.

   ACTION: Draft letter to request a presentation on the 2003 SOE Interim Report at council's next meeting.

4. Kaska Forestry Agreement In Principal

   Council reviewed the news release on the signing of the Forestry Agreement in Principal between the Kaska Nation and the Yukon Government.

5. Captive Wildlife Recommendations

   No further correspondence has been received from the Minister of Environment on this issue. It was a proposed interest identified by Yukon Environment that did not proceed to project proposal for YCEE consideration. The public consultation process is now closed.

   The Yukon Government has subsequently purchased the Yukon Game Farm.

   ACTION: Manon Moreau, Policy Analyst, will seek follow up information on where the Captive Wildlife Recommendations consultation process is at and will forward information to YCEE for their review. Done.

6. Scheduling of YCEE Meetings

   The change in government and lack of material to review mandated responsibilities has made it difficult for Council to function in 2003/04. The chair has consulted ministers and confirmed that YCEE has the ability to set their own work plan and initiatives. It is important for Council to have meetings in a timely fashion and to set performance levels in 2004/05.

The chair presented an update on the new Yukon Economic Strategy. The chair has been representing Council at the Department of Economic Development's stakeholder meetings. Council reviewed the framework for economic direction. During YCEE's last meeting with Department of Economic Development, the Council highlighted the use of Sustainable Progress Indicators. The chair reported that the use of performance indicators have been included as an appendix to the new Yukon Economic Strategy. The Chair has pointed out that strategy lacks environmental aspects and this has been brought to the department's attention at the stakeholder meetings. Council will review the strategy in greater detail at the next meeting and will forward comments to government.

ACTION: Request a presentation to council on the new Yukon Economic Strategy.

The chair presented a background to the YESAA regulations. YCEE was very involved in the Yukon Development Assessment Process (DAP), the predecessor of YESAA, and YCEE subsequently released a report in 1999 titled "Building an Effective Yukon Development Assessment Process: Report on the Draft Yukon Development Assessment Act". Council discussed some of the problems with the proposed YESAA regulations. Council members are encouraged to review YCEE's recommendations on DAP and the YESAA regulations and come to council's next meeting prepared make recommendations to government on the implementation process.

ACTION: YCEE will request a presentation on the YESAA Regulations to aid in council's review at the next meeting.

Council discussed work planning for the 2004/05 period. The following items will be contained in the work plan:

• YESAA Regulations Review
• 2002 State of the Environment Review
• 2003 State of the Environment Interim Report
• Yukon Economic Strategy Review
• Sustainable Progress Indicators Update
• YCEE Term Report
• Hosting of a speaker series on the economy and the environment

ACTION: Draft 2004/05 work plan and budget for approved at council's next meeting.

Yukon Status of Women Council: YSWC has been focusing on rural women's issues. A report identifying the priorities for rural women will be completed by the end of April and will be distributed to government and NGO's.

Yukon Aboriginal Woman Association: N/A

Yukon Chamber of Mines: Focusing on YESAA Regulation Review. The YCM is seeking an extension to the one-month consultation period.

Association of Yukon Communities: Watson Lake is focused on Kaska Forestry MOU and social problems facing the community.

June 4/5 or 11/12 in Whitehorse.

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Chair