Members Present:

Regrets:

Secretariat:

Presenters:

Guests:

As new members were present, all members introduced themselves.

The agenda was approved with the addition of a discussion of the Chair's meeting with Premier Duncan, an in-camera session on DAP and the deferral of council business (historical compilation, correspondence, budget, workplan) to Sept. 29.

A statement will be added to the minutes that no quorum was present at the April 6-7, 2001 meeting. As such, the minutes do not require approval.

A Government of Yukon, Executive Council Office representative presented the history, status and overview of the devolution of responsibilities from the Northern Development section of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

A representative of the Land Claims Secretariat of the Government of Yukon provided the Council with an update on the progress of negotiations and settlements of First Nation Final Agreements in the Yukon.

Staff representing Government of Canada, Government of Yukon and First Nations gave the Council an overview of the new draft development assessment legislation and how it has changed from the 1998 draft. The new draft includes:

• Clearer opportunities for public involvement
• Public consultation period
• A more streamlined process
• Protection of confidential information
• Clarity on enforcement

The representatives briefly outlined how the Council's 1998 comments were incorporated within this draft. After the current consultation period, the tri-partite group will review comments and include valid changes. It is hoped that the bill will be introduced to Parliament in the Spring of 2002. If so, the bill could be enacted by Fall 2002 when the DAP board would be set up. Note: Spring 2004 would be the first time when development assessments would be conducted.

Government of Yukon representatives outlined for the Council YTG's Renewal process. This process is to review YTG's organization and services to allow YTG to provide better customer service, prepare for devolution of northern development responsibilities, to retain and attract employees and provide greater accountability. The council's consensus on the Renewal of the Government of the Yukon was general applaud and support for the concept of better service to the public combined with an integrated approach to services. The council would like to see a Yukon Sustainable Development Strategy guide the operations of the departments of Economic Development and Renewable Resources.

Representatives from Economic Development and Renewable Resources provided an update on the continued implementation of YTG's Yukon Protected Areas Strategy.

A representative of Renewable Resources provided an update on the progress on creating a Yukon Parks and Land Certainty Act to replace the Parks Act. The objective of the new act is to update the act, reflect the First Nations Final Agreements and address the Yukon Protected Areas Strategy within legislation.

The new Act will be tabled in the legislature in the Fall of 2001.

A Wildlife Act review is underway with a three phase approach. Phase one focuses on updating administrative provisions. The results of the phase one consultation have been completed and results have been published in a document called "What we Heard". Phase 1 amendments are to be tabled in the legislature in the Fall 2001. Phase two will focus on addressing Yukon species at risk provisions in response to the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) that would be applicable in the Yukon if the Yukon does not have its own legislation. Extensive community meetings will be held for phase two. Phase three will address amendments required in the Wildlife Act for First Nation Final Agreement.

The council reviewed the product prepared by the contractor to document the history of the council. The council was very pleased with the result and suggested that the document be updated in the future accordingly to provide a continuous compilation of the council's activities to be a resource for council members and an introduction to new members.

A) National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Conference Report

The former secretariat's attendance report for the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy conference on sustainable development indicators from March 2001 was included in members' packages. The YCEE member who also attended, presented a verbal report of the conference.

B) 1999 State of the Environment (SOE) Report

Secretariat provided copies of Hansard showing the tabling of the 1999 State of the Environment Report in the Yukon Legislative Assembly May 9, 2001 along with YCEE annual report as required under the Environment Act.

Secretariat also reported that the 2000 Interim State of the Environment Report will be distributed to council members as soon as it is published.

C) Sustainable Progress Indicators – update

Secretariat reported that the Government of Yukon is working on the implementation of the Sustainable Progress Indicators initiated by YCEE. It was also noted that there may be an opportunity to review YCEE's mandate through amendments to the Environment Act should a review of the Act proceed.

A proposed 2001/2002 YCEE budget was presented in members' packages.

The council's 2001/02 workplan will include the following:

A) Yukon Conservation Strategy Implementation Review

As per the provisions of the Environment Act, YCEE is required to annually review the Government of Yukon's implementation of the Yukon Conservation Strategy.

B) Input to Development Assessment Process (DAP) consultation

The 2001 draft of the DAP legislation and process package was included in members' packages. YCEE prepared a report in February 1999 with recommendations on the 1999 draft.

C) First Nations perspectives on socio-economic development.

A meeting of YCEE is to be devoted to inviting First Nations to provide their perspectives in relation to the economy.

YCEE deliberated and decided to recommend Ralph Nordling to be appointed as Vice-Chair of the council.

The chair met with Premier Duncan in September to discuss the activities of the Council. He shared some of the conversation with the Council. The Premier recommended YCEE analyze the Northern Economic Forum and the YCEE community consultation documents to suggest a particular economic focus for the Government of Yukon. Local ideas could be applied to the Yukon as a whole or other communities.

YCEE's community consultations regarding sustainable communities and the Sustainable Progress Indicators(SPI) led to concerns regarding affects of pipeline development i.e. social aspects. YCEE decided that the environment, health and social aspects must be considered with the economy. This led to discussions with the Yukon Health & Social Services Council(YHSSC). YCEE pursued speakers on the Alaska experience of pipeline development for this meeting. The speakers had to cancel due to the September 11, 2001 tragedy. These speakers will be rescheduled for a future joint meeting.

Members of both councils agreed that points of common interest between the councils are: indicators (SPI), social aspects of development, education and the economy, First Nations and economic opportunities.

The dates for the next meeting will be determined.

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Richard Buchan, Chair