Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the new chief and council for Lutselk’e. Recently the Deninu Ku’e First Nation in Fort Resolution, Metis Council, Deninu Ku’e Community Council held elections. As you know, each election brings new ideas, new personalities, along with some status quo. Mr. Speaker, sometimes this can be challenging and I have some questions for the Premier on that.
Can the Premier tell me what the GNWT does to support new councils, new chiefs, Metis presidents or even mayors to help the transition period from one community government to another? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The relationship we have with the band councils differs somewhat with the relationship we have with municipal councils because band councils are under federal legislation, but when it comes to the working relationship we’re trying to build with them, we’re open to helping with either transition, or, for example, we have a number of communities where the bands deliver the programs and services that municipalities would in other cases, and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would be able to sit down with them to go through the working arrangements, the processes that were in place prior to the election. On top of that at the regional level, from the regional leaders’ table, I’ve committed to meet with the regional leaders as well as once a year to sit down with the regional leader and the chiefs of that region. So that’s another avenue we have of building that working relationship.
Again, it’s almost case by case. If the request is made, we would consider where we could be of assistance in the transition area and we’d be prepared to sit down with them at that point. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Premier what supports are in place for the GNWT to assist these organizations, newly elected officials and their organization, with capacity building and training of the elected officials? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of areas where we could provide assistance and support when it comes to a new council coming into place. For example, financial advice could be provided to them. We also have board training available to newly elected leaders. As well, as I had stated earlier, about the contract municipal services. As well, through the School of Community Government, opportunities there to go and have staff training of that new council. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, has the GNWT developed a standard strategy to engage newly elected officials? Thank you.
We do have a policy and that is why, for example, the School of Community Government went into place and was developed to help our communities in the Northwest Territories build capacity and assist them in providing the necessary supports that they need in their communities. So that’s the first thing that we have in place and it incorporates a number of the training initiatives and supports along those lines.
The one difference is because bands are under the federal legislation there’s a slightly different arrangement there, but we still extend much of the same services. I’d have to get a little more detail and provide that to the Member. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The time for question has expired; however, I will allow the Member a final supplementary question. Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the GNWT, we work on several projects with the communities whether it be a community council or a band council. Does the GNWT have a plan that updates all of the newly elected officials soon after their election on the initiatives and projects that are occurring in those communities? Thank you.
My understanding is an offer is made to a newly elected chief and council or a newly elected municipal council as well. In the area of band councils, we work under their direction in the sense of when they’re ready to make the request or accept an offer that’s been made. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5 on the Order Paper.
---Unanimous consent granted
