Bob McLeod: Transparency and Accountability

Ministers' Statements and Speeches

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to openness and transparency in conducting its business on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. In support of this I am publishing a list of all meetings and teleconferences I have had with external parties, including my participation at intergovernmental meetings and conferences, as well as public events.

These reports will provide more information than would typically be on a lobbyist registry. They identify all meetings with external parties not just those with paid lobbyists, of which there are very few in the Northwest Territories.

As I have said before Mr. Speaker, all of this information was available upon request. However, we recognize that an active offer of information can sometimes not meet the needs or resources of those interested in finding out information. Publishing these reports is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to transparency and to serving the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, as Premier, I am proud to work for the people of the Northwest Territories. Not only with Members of this House but with our many Aboriginal government partners, business and industry, Non-Governmental Organizations, Provinces and Territories, the Federal government and many more. I believe this listing shows how important partnerships are to the future of the Northwest Territories.

Beginning April 1, 2015, information on Cabinet Ministers’ external meetings will be published on a quarterly basis to promote continued transparency. While I have provided a retrospective report on all my external meetings, the first report of all Cabinet Ministers meetings for the 2015 – 2016 fiscal year will be published in July.

Later today, I will be tabling a complete list of all meetings I have had with external parties from January, 2014 to February, 2015.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.