5.3.8

Description: 
We will enhance collaboration between Cabinet and Regular Members by ensuring early, regular and open consultation by Cabinet with Regular Members and Committees of the Legislative Assembly, exploring more options to formally work together, and strengthening processes for consistently sharing and tracking information provided to standing committees.
Lead Dept: 
EIA
Priority: 
5.3
Status: 
Fulfilled
Restructured COC: 
Priorities and Planning
Number: 
8
Deputy Minister Committee: 
Governance
Background Information: 

GOVERNANCE

Commitment 5.3.8 – We will enhance collaboration between Cabinet and Regular Members by ensuring early, regular and open consultation by Cabinet with Regular Members and Committees of the Legislative Assembly, exploring more options to formally work together, and strengthening processes for consistently sharing and tracking information provided to standing committees.

Cabinet (also called the Executive Council) is the senior decision-making body of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). It is made up of the Premier and six ministers and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of government.

In order to enhance collaboration between Cabinet and Regular Members, the Cabinet will continue to identify opportunities for working with Regular MLAs and Committees.  To ensure more consistent information-sharing and allow for faster response time particularly for constituent matters, the Executive Council Offices began tracking and reporting on MLA requests for information effective October 2016 (Milestone 1).  Effective February 2017, the Executive Council Offices also began tracking and reporting quarterly to MLAs on all written information shared by the Premier and Ministers with Standing Committees or all MLAs. These processes allow for a more streamlined and effective approach for the Executive Council and regular MLAs to engage in high level policy discussions through the Standing Committee process.

Related Mandate Commitments

  • Commitment 5.3.5 – We will establish an Open Government Policy to enhance civic participation, increase the availability and accessibility of information about government activities, and explore new technologies for openness and accountability
  • Commitment 5.3.6 – We will improve public visibility and accessibility of Cabinet by organizing Cabinet meetings in each region of the NWT, holding selected Committee-of-Cabinet meetings in public, and meeting with standing committees in public more frequently.

For more information about this initiative, please contact the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.