Secretariat:

Regrets:

Guest Presenters:

Guest:

The Amended Draft Agenda was approved as written.

• Dave Austin moved the minutes of the June 5 & 6, 1998 meeting be approved as written. Seconded by Ralph Nordling. MOTION PASSED.
• Andy Williams moved the minutes of the October 9, 1998 meeting be approved as written. Seconded by Dave Austin. MOTION PASSED.

Yukon Forest Commission staff presented an overview of the newly released Yukon Forest Strategy. This included a summary of the workshops and the process involved in finalizing the Strategy. The following were discussed in relation to the Strategy:

• adoption of the Strategy by the Federal Government
• reluctance from First Nations to sign on
• devolution
• price fluctuations
• industry involvement and certainty
• trade missions/Asian marketability
• Watson Lake's mill
• forest management plans
• forest fire management
• practical application of strategy to industry

Council advised the Commission of their concern regarding First Nations' lack of concurrence with the Strategy. Council felt this issue should be rectified and partnerships restored in the implementation of the Forest Strategy.

Renewable Resources staff advised the Council that the next revision to the YCS is due for tabling in the fall 1999 Legislature.

Three options were presented to the Council for the revision to the Strategy. They included:

• Option 1: Limited revisions to the action items only, written primarily "in-house"
• Option 2: Broader revisions, including revisions to the goals and objectives, with additional expertise (consultant) and public input through the YCEE and target groups
• Option 3: Major revisions to the Strategy with broad public input

Council recommended the following:

• Proceed with Option 2, ensuring the document is a reviewable and useful tool providing clarity in the goals and objectives.
• Form a working group to work with Renewable Resources staff and hire a consultant to expedite the process.

Council requested funding from Renewable Resources to assist in implementing action.

Renewable Resources staff explained the legislated requirement of the Review and advised that it will be tabled in the Legislature in fall 1999.

Renewable Resources Staff staff reviewed the documentation of comments received during the public review process. No substantive changes will be made to the draft regulations. The Department of Justice will inform Renewable Resources staff of a decision on the suggestions; regulations will then proceed to Cabinet.

Secretariat presented the finalized Operating Procedures to the Council. Secretariat explained that they were written to be generic and of use to other boards and councils. This process will assist them by having a precedent to follow and, hopefully, reduce some of the legwork that was involved in formulating our operating procedures.

Council was advised that the Operating Procedures could be revised at any time.

Development Assessment Process Commission staff presented the Council with an overview of the Development Assessment Process (DAP) and advised that a draft document has been completed. The Commission is now conducting public consultations, which will be completed in December. DAP is scheduled to be tabled federally in February 1999.

The purposes of DAP were reviewed. Council discussed the appeal process, timelines, duplication with Fisheries and Oceans and the Water Board, and mining applications.

The Council ended the session with confusion around the table particularly on the "gray" areas to be assessed. In light of the confusion, Council was unable to comment at this time. Council decided they wanted more details and to develop a better understanding of DAP before commenting.

Renewable Resources staff staff presented a draft outline of the 1999 State of the Environment Report which will be completed in late 1999 or early 2000. Council was advised of the budget constraints being faced.

Renewable Resources staff proposed adding an additional "special focus" section this year. While the Council supported the concept, there was not agreement on having the special section on salmon. Other areas were discussed such as: fresh water fish, frogs, and caribou. However, without clear terms of purpose, it would just be a "most favourite issue" list.

Traditional knowledge and concern about losing this source of valuable information was also discussed. Different sources of traditional information and different ways for inclusion were discussed:

The Council reiterated the importance to ensure traditional knowledge is not an add-on and is integrated throughout the report.

Economic Development staff and Secretariat presented a summary of the job initiatives being planned by the government. The following topics, as per handout, were discussed including:

• Tourism Strategy
• Banking services - continuity and competition
• Immigrant Investors Fund
• Sectoral developments
• Policy with respect to support of existing businesses bidding on projects
• Infrastructure - rural road fund
• Communications
• Business Legislation Reform

Once again, questions were raised regarding the source of and management of the money associated with the Immigrant Investors Fund. Members asked again whether a code of ethics had been developed for acquiring, management and distribution of the funds. Council was told some are done, others are being developed.

The Council reviewed the memo prepared by the Chair outlining the meeting with the Government Leader as well as the working group's meetings. Discussion took place on the framework provided in the memo with the following additional points discussed:

• Can't just look at how to create more jobs but how do you encourage a more vital and healthy community.
• Advantageous to leave behind a focus group that can continue this work in the community - continue the linkage
• Consider what the deliverables are - what do we want to end up with
• Use resources from the Colleges
• Discussed the challenge of getting people to participate
• Focus on First Nations and recognize the demands on First Nations government on a day to day basis. Look at partnerships with First Nations
• A coordinator will be hired. This person will go out to the communities to determine their needs as well as an agenda for that community.

The memo was accepted. The Council's mandate will be to provide information and create the setting for stimulating discussions among individuals not just once but on a continuous basis. Council agreed that it would be a day session broken into topics yet to be defined and will ensure there is a community specific agenda. Council will try to have a complete cross section of community people available at the forums and will work to involve Association of Yukon Communities, Yukon College, the Chambers, First Nations and the schools.

A Steering Committee was formed consisting of Jennifer Mauro, Kathy Watson, Dave Austin, John Carroll, Louise Ranger and Daryn Leas. The Steering Committee will hire a coordinator. Consultations will take place in March, April and May with a final report prepared in June 1999. Two Council members will attend each community consultation.

12. Communication and Public Education

1. Communication Strategy - budget implementation will be available for the next meeting. No questions or comments on the strategy.

2. Website: is functional and the address is: http://www.yukonweb.yk.ca/community/ycee/

   Secretariat explained the links from the Yukon website and the Yukon Government page. Council members suggested additional links.

   ACTION: Secretariat will look into getting additional links and will include minutes, the annual report and the tax paper on the website.

3. Pamphlet: the written material for the pamphlet was distributed for review. Council members were asked to advise Secretariat if they had any comments on the material distributed or photographs available that they felt would enhance the pamphlet.

4. College Seminar Discussion: Council reviewed memo prepared by Chair advising that on December Chair advised that on December 1^st a student-led session with Bob Jickling's Yukon College Environmental Perspectives class will be held.

   ACTION: Chair will send out a reminder to all closer to the date.

5. Women's Circumpolar Conference: Council reviewed the memo prepared by the Chair which provided an update on the Circumpolar Women's Conference which is being planned for Whitehorse in November 1999. Council agreed a collaborative effort with other women's agencies and non-government organizations would be beneficial. Topics being considered: access to capital and Northern First Nation culture.

   ACTION: Chair will keep Council informed.

6. Public Speakers Series: Audrey McLaughlin will be speaking in Whitehorse December 3rd on the Vitality of the Circumpolar North. A community talk is being planned as well. Other topics suggested for the Speakers Series included:
• MAI
• Protected Areas
• Yellowstone to Yukon
• Micro Loans/Credit Unions

ACTION: Council will be reminded of date, time and place.

13. Administration

1. The Annual Report: Approved, pending comments by November 4, 1998, on the basis that comments received do not change the substance of the report.

2. Representation on Internal/Other Government Advisory Boards: The Chair raised the question of whether YCEE should have representation on other advisory bodies or groups at the request of government departments. Council felt their requests were not part of the existing or historical mandate. Council decided it would be possible if not more appropriate for Council to review a draft of the product to assist in providing a broad perspective. Since Council works on a consensus position basis, it would be a great strain and cost to develop consensus positions for representatives to take.

   ACTION: It was agreed that a letter would be written by Secretariat to inform the Anti-Poverty Board, Agricultural & Grazing Policy Board and the Tax Reform Board that the Council will not appoint individual YCEE members to represent the Council on their Boards.

3. Press Release: Secretariat will prepare a press release from this meeting.

14. Next Meeting

Special Council meeting on DAP planned for November 20, 1998. Secretariat will coordinate and advise Council of the time and location. Consensus was reached to have the next general Council meeting at the end of January or the beginning of February 1999. It will be held in Haines Junction. Secretariat will coordinate and advise Council members.

Meeting adjourned at 3:15 P.M.

______________________________________

Jennifer Mauro, Chair