NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD

MINUTES: CONFERENCE CALL No. 41

MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1998

Agenda

Call to Order

Agenda

Fourth-Quarter Budget Submission to DIAND

Turbot Litigation Costs

NWMB Meeting and Joint Meeting of the IPGs in December

CWS Consultations on the Proposed Canada Endangered Species Act

Interviews for Director of Wildlife Management Position

Adjournment

Resolution 99-086

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Ben Kovic, convened the Conference Call at 1:00 p.m.

2. Agenda

Ben Kovic reviewed the agenda with the Members. One additional item, “Interviewing for the Director of Wildlife Management Position”, was incorporated. Members approved the agenda as amended.

3. Fourth-Quarter Budget Submission to DIAND

Gordon Tomlinson advised that DIAND has requested a financial variance report including the budget for 1998/99, actual expenditures to October 31, and projected expenditures for the rest of the fiscal year. Gordon also reminded Members that each year at this time the NWMB has a final opportunity to review its budget projections to year-end and to submit any requirement for budget adjustments to DIAND as per the Contribution Agreement. As a prelude to completing the year-end projections, Gordon advised that he had found it necessary to first rationalize the individual line-item allotments. Gordon walked the Members through this rationalization along with his expenditure projections, and invited specific comments and questions.

Gordon Koshinsky requested a status report on the replacement of the NWMB vehicle. Jim Noble advised that 1994 Chevrolet Astro was sold for $9,500 and a new 1998 GMC Safari was purchased and received on sealift for a total cost of $16,867. Kevin McCormick asked how costs will be shared on the purchase of computers for the RWOs and HTOs. Jim Noble indicated that the NWMB is committed to providing $1,000 per computer. The RWOs and HTOs will pay the balance, with the possibility of some assistance from RWED.

Gordon Tomlinson advised that expenditures as currently projected to year-end would exceed the original budget by $55,430, or 1.1%. This projected negative variance is not considered to be of a size or certainty to warrant a request to DIAND for the allocation of additional funding for the current fiscal year. If the overage does materialize as is now projected, the NWMB has adequate arrangements with its banker to cover the shortfall until funding is in place for the next fiscal year. The NWMB will, however, highlight the projected negative variance in its forthcoming correspondence to DIAND when transmitting the requested financial variance report.

The Board approved the Financial Variance Report for the period ended 31 October 1998 for submission to DIAND, along with the revised budget as presented. (Resolution 99- 086)

4. Turbot Litigation Costs

Jim Noble advised that NTI has proposed invoicing the NWMB for a portion of its legal expenses incurred for the first Judicial Review in the turbot litigation proceedings. The Board was concerned about this, and instructed NWMB staff to discuss the matter further with NTI staff.

5. NWMB Meeting and Joint Meeting of the IPGs in December

Jim Noble confirmed that the joint meeting of the IPGs is now confirmed for December 3 rd and 4 th , with the NWMB meeting continuing over the weekend, December 5 th and 6 th .

6. CWS Consultations on the Proposed Canada Endangered Species Act

Kevin McCormick advised that CWS Headquarters want to hold another round of consultation with northern Boards and other interest groups on the new Canadian Endangered Species Act. Kevin noted that December 2 is the likely date, but formal invitations have not yet been sent out. Kevin suggested that there is no need for the whole Board to attend. The Board decided to request Makabe Nartok to attend on behalf of the Board, with Kevin McCormick to provide backup support. It was noted that Michael d'Eça attended the previous session in Hull, Quebec.

7. Interviews for Director of Wildlife Management Position

Ben Kovic asked how the Board wanted to proceed with the interviews in the competition for the Director of Wildlife Management position. Ben advised that 42 applications were received and that if the Board agreed, Ben Kovic, Dan Pike and Jim Noble would screen and interview. The Board decision was that Ben, Dan and Jim should proceed and that Gordon Koshinsky would be involved in the final screening.

8. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ _________________

                                                                Chairperson                             Date

_________________________________________________________________

Resolution 99- 086

Resolved that the NWMB:

•  adopt the line-by-line budget rationalization proposed by the Director of Finance and Administration for the 1998/99 budget presentation; and

•  accept the year-end budget projections as presented, based on the new internal allotments; and

•  advise DIAND that the NWMB is projecting a slight over-expenditure for the current fiscal year, but does not perceive a need to amend the Contribution Agreement as it currently stands.

Moved by: Joan Scottie     Seconded by: Kevin McCormick

Carried                                 Date: 02 November 1998