YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod has provided all Cabinet ministers with mandate letters outlining their key strategic objectives and priorities for the 17^th Assembly. These letters have been posted to the GNWT website at http://www.premier.gov.nt.ca/cabinet/.

“Our government is committed to transparency and accountability,” said Premier McLeod. “As a public government, we serve all the people of the Northwest Territories and are responsible for making sure that NWT residents are aware of the activities, initiatives and decisions their government undertakes on their behalf. These mandates will provide our residents with an important tool for understanding and evaluating our actions as a government.”

The mandates follow the priorities of the 17^th Legislative Assembly, developed by all Members immediately after the October 2011 election. Cabinet members are accountable to the rest of Cabinet and to the Legislative Assembly for the activities of their assigned departments and agencies. Decisions must uphold the public good by balancing the interests of all Northwest Territories residents.

Some of the specific mandates assigned to Ministers include:

• Negotiate a Devolution Final Agreement and develop an implementation plan for responsible management of public lands and resources in the NWT.


• Develop and coordinate the implementation of a government-wide Aboriginal engagement strategy based on the principles of respect, recognition, and responsibility.


• Reform governance of the health and social services system, and improve measurement and accountability within the system.


• Undertake consultation in support of passing a new Wildlife Act.


• Develop and implement a sustainable Mineral Strategy and Economic Development Strategy for the NWT that targets all regions and all sectors of our economy.


• Work with communities to develop a comprehensive, territory-wide Community Safety Strategy.


• Build capacity of community governments to meet their administrative and management responsibilities.


• Develop and implement a comprehensive Early Childhood Development Framework.

 

Work on the mandates outlined in the letters has already begun. Mandates will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary. The government will publish a results report outlining progress on the mandates each year.

For more information, contact:


Megan Holsapple
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Fax: (867) 873-0111