Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In February 2009 I spoke to Members about the challenges that community governments face as they assume increased authority and responsibility. The skills required to manage and govern a local community in the Northwest Territories have expanded significantly and many community governments are challenged to recruit and retain capable staff.
Capacity challenges are not just limited to small communities. All communities can face capacity challenges at some point and capacity is not static. A once stable, well functioning community can be challenged after a turnover of management, staff, and council.
I am pleased to confirm that in collaboration with the Minister of Human Resources, the Honourable Bob McLeod, we are partnering with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the NWT to look at how we can strengthen the capacity of local government administrators and also ensure that local elected leaders have the skills they need to enable staff to implement their vision and maintain stability in the local government. This public service capacity initiative will support initiatives that sustain local government administration and also help local leaders to recognize what they need to do to hire and keep their key staff.
During the recent Northwest Territories Association of Communities’ Annual General Meeting in Inuvik, MACA sought advice and direction of delegates on how new programs that support building capacity can best be implemented to meet community government needs and interests. The one hour on the AGM’s busy agenda that was dedicated to this consultation stretched well beyond the allotted timeslot as leaders and administrators provided rich insights, recommendations and advice that will help guide the design of strategies to build capacity.
In addition, the first elected training session took place a day before the AGM on roles and responsibilities and codes and conflict. I would like to commend the 47 mayors and councillors, almost double the number who registered in advance, who took the time to participate in the elected leaders training. Building their skills as leaders is an important part of building overall government capacity.
Based on the advice we received, work will now begin on developing strategies, including an intern program that would offer communities funding to hire a qualified intern who would be supported to learn from the local government administrator, and a mentorship program that would establish a network where senior administration officers and band managers in the NWT can connect with each other for support and advice as they address issues and challenges. Other potential supports include a handbook and tool kit that would provide go-to resources that can assist local government administrators on all issues related to the requirements of the job.
Capacity challenges can affect all of our communities, and because our communities and our challenges are diverse, the strategies that we develop will need to be broad and flexible to respond meaningfully to the wide range of issues facing community governments, and to provide appropriate levels of support.
Mr. Speaker, when we talk about refocusing government, and we talk about improving human resource management, we need to focus on the long term. Building local government capacity is not a short-term issue that will be resolved within a year or two. This is a long-term partnership that requires a multi-pronged approach with a range of strategies in order to make a difference.
I’m very optimistic about the opportunities this initiative is going to open up as we move forward collectively. MACA’s commitment to building community capacity will ensure that community governments are able to lead effectively while remaining responsive, resilient, vibrant and sustainable. I look forward to providing regular updates to committee and Members on the activities undertaken as part of this very important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
