Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we embarked upon this initiative it was recognized that there is a significant restructuring that is entailed in this particular initiative; that there was going to be, when there was engagement across the North, a lot of discussion about how to deal with board reform. We have put forward an initial suggestion. We recognize that there is a lot of concern. The issue of board reform is still a priority of the 16th Legislative Assembly. I’ve heard comments from a number of the Members that they don’t necessarily agree with this particular approach, but there is some...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Tlicho model which has been in existence for probably at least 10 years has been one that the territorial government has been involved with throughout its development. It has won awards. It seemed to bring together in a way that supported the consensus model that allowed for integration of services for a small jurisdiction where we have not many people and the need to be efficient. It is one that we have a considerable history with. When we look at other things like territorial boards or the status quo, it seemed to be one in the North, designed in the North that...

We’ve indicated that this is, what we came forward with was an initial concept. We recognize that there are lots of questions to be answered. The timeline was up to 2010-2011. This April is a milestone date to look at the work that we’ve done on the particular approach. Is that going to be the way forward? If there are going to be adjustments, what are they? Those are the questions and debate and discussion we were looking to have in April with the Members.

Mr. Speaker, this initiative, which is trying to act on a priority at the 16th Assembly, is an initiative of the Cabinet. We anticipate that decisions will still be made at the community level with the rationalization of legislation and policy. Decision-making will hopefully be more efficient, the ability to do case management at the community level where there is often significant overlap with education, housing and health issues. They would hopefully be able to be facilitated and done even better. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, as I indicated, looked at territorial boards. We didn’t see great value to that in our style of government. We, of course, looked at the status quo and then we looked at the regional service model as has been put in place in the Tlicho.

Mr. Speaker, for my entire time in this Assembly the boards, like every other part of government, has worked with the government-of-the-day to hit the various targets as we struggled with efficiencies, as we struggled with deficits. The first budget of this Assembly is a case in point where we had to struggle with reductions. All the boards were involved in their respective areas along with the rest of government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the final analysis, we don’t anticipate there is going to be any money saved, that there’s going to be with the forced growth costs that the Members know are upon this in the social envelope with the annual growth rate up to this year of about 6 or 7 percent in health alone and any efficiencies that are realized, the forced growth in the program area will more than consume any potential efficiencies. Thank you.

For clarity, the answer is that’s where we started. We recognize that with the regional differences and discussion that’s going to ensue, that’s not necessarily where we’re going to end up. It was our starting point. We put it out there. We’ve been looking at if it’s doable and if it’s doable what will it look like. We’ve asked for feedback and we’ve been receiving that. We know that there are other options out there. April is going to take us to the point where we can have that discussion of how we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of board reform or not is a decision we can make in this House. Decision of board reform, but not 70 to seven but some other configuration is also a decision. We’ve been moving to respond to a priority of the 16th Legislative Assembly. We’ve put forward a concept. We’ve been doing the work to prove it up. April has been determined as a date and the Member will be fully involved in April when we do this review. It’s been indicated that there is a motion coming forward; we’ll be looking to see what that says. It will help clarify the next steps. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few days ago we concluded the health budget. It’s over $300 million; about 25 percent of the territorial budget. This issue of board reform deals with administration, finance, and governance. The health programs and needs that the Member talks about, the requirements for further enhanced services are all issues that are being dealt with through the health budget, through the education budget for education issues, through the housing budget where there are additional funds. What this particular initiative concentrates on is trying to rationalize the governance...