YUKON COUNCIL ON THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Minutes of August 23-24, 2002
Belvedere Motor Inn - Watson Lake, Yukon
Members Present:
| James Grattan | Chair |
| Ralph Nordling | Vice Chair and Member at Large |
| Charlotte Hrenchuk | Yukon Status of Women's Council |
| Bill Mann | Yukon Chamber of Mines |
| Malcolm Taggart | Yukon Federation of Labour |
| Randy Taylor | Yukon Conservation Society |
Regrets:
| Curtis Shaw | Yukon Chamber of Commerce |
| Louise Bouvier | Yukon Aboriginal Women's Association |
| Roger Alfred | Council of Yukon First Nations |
| Verena Hardtke | Policy Analyst, Environment, Government of Yukon |
Secretariat:
| Tamar Vandenberghe | YCEE Administrative Assistant |
1. MEETING AGENDA
Ralph Nordling moved and Bill Mann seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried.
2. MINUTES OF MAY 31 - JUNE 1, 2002 MEETING
Ralph Nordling moved and Malcolm Taggart seconded the motion to approve the May 31 - June 1, 2002 minutes as modified. The motion carried.
3. CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION ITEMS
- Immigrant Investor's Fund (Yukon Gold Fund)
Council reviewed the July 31, 2002 response from the Minister of Business, Tourism & Culture that provided answers to Council's questions on the Immigrant Investor Fund.
As background, Council reviewed and discussed the January 1999 Yukon Government Fund Limited document. Council questioned why only one project (Connect Yukon) has been funded given the fund's investment intention of investing in at least two Eligible Business Ventures.
- Royalty/Permanent Fund
July 8, 2002 letter sent to Premier Duncan recommending YTG enter into discussions with the federal government with the goal of receiving favorable treatment of Royalty/ Permanent Fund in relation to the federal transfer payments. Council reviewed and discussed the Northern Accord. Council does not have position on the Royalty Fund at this time and requires more information. A mechanism is required for royalties to flow into fund which will in-turn allow the fund to grow.
- YCEE Membership/Alternates
Linda Casson has officially resigned from the YCEE due to time commitments. The Association of Yukon Communities will forward a name to cabinet.
Council reviewed June 24, 2002 letter from YTG regarding exploring the process for members to designate alternates. The letter confirms the government is not interested in designating alternates for YCEE members.
Council discussed and reviewed the existing options in the YCEE operating procedures that help to ensure sufficient attendance by members. Council will continue to attempt scheduling meetings when higher participation can take place. The Chair will also personally contact members where attendance is an issue.
- Focus on the Future Follow Up - Review Draft Terms of Reference
Council reviewed the Terms of Reference for completing a limited follow-up report to the 1999 "Focus on the Future" document. Council suggested appending relevant information from the Focus on the Future report to the Terms of Reference. Contractors should provide council with a one-page proposal and resume. Council agreed that a contractor who exhibits a business background would make a preferable candidate.
- National Round Table on the Economy and the Environment
The Prime Minister has appointed a new chair. No response has been received from the NRTEE on possible speakers for a fall information session or on the progress of their indicators.
4. TOUGH REPORT
To prepare for the evening session on the Kaska Forestry MOU, Council discussed the Tough Report (entitled Yukon Forestry Issues: A Reality Check and a New Direction) and reviewed the 19 recommendations for forestry in the Yukon.
5. KASKA FORESTRY MOU
To prepare for the evening session on the Kaska Forestry MOU, Council reviewed and discussed the Memorandum of Understanding on Forest Stewardship for the Kaska Traditional Territory.
6. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PLANS
Council reviewed the Departments of Environment, Energy, Mines & Resources and Business, Tourism & Culture's accountability plans. Some of the overall suggestions and feedback included:
- The concept of accountability plans is a very good idea as it focuses ministers as well as the civil service. It is also a comprehensive tool for the government to communicate its plan to those in the public who will take the time to review.
- Council appreciated the attempt to link economy and environment. There are still significant opportunities for improvement.
- The format of plans should be kept as user friendly as possible. Each objective and key strategy should be clearly linked to output and outcome indicators. There should be no stranded indicators. All objectives and strategies should have at least one indictor.
- Given there are always limited resources and time, government needs to attempt a prioritization of objectives and key strategies within each department.
- Improvements can be made with respect to indictors being specific, measurable, available, relevant and timely.
- Where possible, indicators should be shown over a period of time so as to favourable or unfavourable trends.
- Where possible, indicators should be base-lined.
- The plans require stronger linkages between goals, objectives and indicators.
- Consideration should be given to including the capital plan within the overall accountability plan.
- YCEE has been reviewing measurable indicators with the Sustainable Progress Indicators project. Council suggests that government look at the Sustainable Progress Indicators project when developing output measurements. Council recommends using similar staff resources (Toby Sanger & Scott Milton) to develop measurable indicators.
7. FORESTRY IN SOUTHEAST YUKON - INFORMATION SESSION
Between 7 and 9 PM, Council sponsored an information session on Forestry in the Southeast Yukon. The session focused on the MOU on Forest Stewardship for the Kaska Traditional Territory. The presentation included specifics of the MOU followed by a question and answer period. Approximately 25 residents participated.
Speakers included:
Mike Draper - DIAND
Ed van Randen - YTG - Energy, Mines and Resources
Jean Gleason - Kaska Dena Council
Jayne Suncomeau - Liard First Nation
Norman Sterriah - Ross River Dena Council
8. COUNCIL MEMBER CONSTITUENCY ISSUES/PRIORITIZATION
No new updates to report.
9. WORKPLAN
- YCEE Term Report January 2001 - March 2002
Council received copies of the YCEE term report.
- Council's Revision of Government Reports
Council is waiting for the final draft of the Yukon Conservation Strategy Revision to provide comments on.
- Sustainable Progress Indictors
- Other
Kaska Benefits Agreement - Once it is complete, Council may want to invite representatives from the Kaska and DIAND to make a presentation.
10. NEXT MEETING
The next YCEE meeting will be:
Tentatively October 4/5 in Whitehorse
Council will focus on reviewing the Yukon Conservation Strategy and the Sustainable Progress Indicators documents. Council discussed the idea of bringing a speaker and a NRTEE member to Whitehorse in the fall for a public forum on the Economy and the Environment. Council agreed that if speakers cannot commit to October 4/5, meeting would be re-scheduled to late October/early November.
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James Grattan, Chair