Debates of March 29, 2004 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier this afternoon some questions in his capacity as the leader of the Executive. It’s about the general area of consultation and communication across the NWT. Mr. Speaker, in the last few days, I have asked various Ministers questions on topics including the national child benefit supplement and workers’ compensation. We are hearing this afternoon about consultation on Housing Corporation business. What I have heard is Ministers are reluctant to take issues out and get a sense of what kind of program policy should be developed. They said they would rather see money going into government programs than into studies. On the whole, I agree. But it raises the issue of the government’s communication strategy. Would the Premier outline how this government intends to continue consulting on specific policy issues? Thank you.

Mr. Premier.

Return To Question 107-15(3): Formal Consultation Standards For GNWT

Mr. Speaker, a lot of the communication on issues would be done on a case-by-case basis. As we have a new program or a new initiative brought to Cabinet, then part of the expectation is that a communications strategy is outlined at the same time. Mr. Speaker, we know that we have 16 positions whose jobs are dedicated primarily to communications. There may be ways we can look at improving the coordination and efficiency of our communications people in the department, but that’s something we will develop as we move along over the next few months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 107-15(3): Formal Consultation Standards For GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So a case-by-case basis. You know, overall, there’s a lot of case-by-case, one-at-a-time, we’ll think about it kind of approach. I would like to know in the area of consultation and communication, which is such a big part of the environment we work in, is the government looking at adopting a formal consultation policy so that everyone knows what the parameters and the thresholds and the ground rules could be? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 107-15(3): Formal Consultation Standards For GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I could take a look at the challenges of developing a comprehensive communications policy that would include an opportunity for consultation. I am not sure exactly what that would look like, but I certainly take it as advice.

Mr. Speaker, I should also mention that, in addition to the opportunities like this where a lot of the public are listening in to our discussions and debates, we also have a Web site that we certainly encourage people to have a look at, as well as personal contacts. There are opportunities for a lot of consultation and we do get a fair number of situations where people are giving us advice. Can we put that into a more formal policy that would improve on the efficiency and effectiveness of communication? That’s something I would like to look at more carefully, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 107-15(3): Formal Consultation Standards For GNWT

One of the things we all cope with in this age of technology is information overload. One of the prime duties of a good consultation and communication program is editing and narrowing the message, clarifying the questions. In this light, we also have all sorts of existing programs going on that are constantly being asked about or looked at in terms of evaluating. I would like to ask in this context, what kind of process or formula does the government use to monitor and check on existing programs and policies to make sure we are on the right track?

Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 107-15(3): Formal Consultation Standards For GNWT

Mr. Speaker, certainly comments, questions, advice from the regular Members is probably the most effective way we have. All of us, 19 Members, are receiving advice on a daily basis from our constituents and I am sure they are going to be very quick to tell us if we are getting off base. That is the main source. We met with committees on any legislation or business plans and we expect that we are all hearing from the people we represent in those situations. We go through tremendous consultation on some legislation. For example, the Wildlife Act; that one has had a huge amount of consultation over the last few years. As I say, Mr. Speaker, it often depends on the issue and the amount of consultation that may be required.

We do generally have avenues for people to have their views known, mainly through MLAs or through our Web site. If there is a way of formalizing this more, as the Member is suggesting, but I think we as 19 Members are the most effective communications tool we have with the people that we represent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.