Jim Noble advised that the Federal Treasury Board has approved a new “Flexible Transfer Payment” instrument to replace the former “Contribution Agreement” system for flowing funds from DIAND to implementing bodies created under land claim agreements. This is the culmination of a long and difficult effort that was led by Michael d'Eça working on behalf of the NWMB and the other Nunavut IPGs. The new arrangement will encompass two significant changes that were the focus of NWMB concern: removal of the requirement for land claim implementing bodies (such as the NWMB) to return year-end surpluses to DIAND, and removal of the clause that previously enabled DIAND to effectively shut down an implementing body. In return for these adjustments, the reporting requirements for the implementing bodies will be somewhat enlarged.

A few minor wording changes remain to be negotiated, and the new system will be in place for the new fiscal year.

4. Budget Submission to DIAND for 2000/01

Gordon Tomlinson led the Board through a general review of the Board’s financial outlook through the remainder of the present contract period, followed by a line-by-line review of the draft budget for the coming fiscal year.

Gordon noted that the present long-term projection is for an NWMB operating shortfall of about $350,000 in Year 10. Members identified and discussed a number of ways in which economies might be pursued over the next three years in order to ensure that this projected deficit does not occur. Members also had some questions and offered some suggestions and instructions pertaining to the details of the budget as drafted for 2000/01, but expressed general satisfaction with the document in the context of both the immediate and longer terms.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 091) to approve the NWMB operating budget as drafted for 2000/01 in the amount of approximately $6,100,000, subject to minor revisions to take account of the preceding discussion.

5. Staffing Conservation Education Assistant: Shared Position with DSD

Jim Noble reminded the Members that the Board earlier decided in favour of pursuing a cost-sharing arrangement with the Territorial Government for a position to help address the conservation-education objectives of the two agencies. Some effort was made to hire such an individual but those efforts were not successful and the idea was temporarily set aside. DSD recently staffed an Environmental Education Specialist position in the Department, and the incumbent (Ms. Elise Maltin) has revived interest and momentum in this concept.

Jim referred to the draft job description he had circulated and requested input from the Board on the matter. It is envisaged that this would be a training position, at an annual salary of about $40,000, and with a two-year time frame. The NWMB would pay all the costs associated with the position up-front, and then be reimbursed for 50% by DSD. The net annual cost to the NWMB would be about $35,000.

The Board re-affirmed its general support for the concept of participating in such a shared position with DSD. Kevin McCormick urged much care and attention to setting out the responsibilities and working arrangements at the outset, in order to minimize subsequent transaction costs and to avoid future problems and misunderstandings. He suggested that at least some specific obligations and/or time commitments be identified for the employee in respect to each of the contributing agencies, both on an individual-agency and on a shared-agency basis.

Gordon Koshinsky observed that the job description as drafted contained a number of minor flaws and errors, which he undertook to identify to the attention of Mr. Noble. Gordon expressed the greater concern that the job description contained no reference to any general framework or system of priorities within which the incumbent would be expected to operate. Gordon observed in this regard that the job description could not be adequately evaluated separately from the job description of the DSD Environmental Education Specialist. He acknowledged that a general framework for the work may in fact be set out in the latter, although it would be from the perspective of only one of the agencies contributing to the new position. To whatever extent this had not been addressed in either or both job descriptions, the operating framework for the shared position would need to be made clear in the contract between the NWMB and DSD.

The Board reiterated its earlier decision to proceed, with instructions to staff to take account of the admonitions and suggestions that were brought forward.

6. Further Development of the NWMB Website

Jim Noble reminded the Board about the earlier contract with Nunanet Communications to develop a website to make information on the NWMB’s mandate, structure and functions more widely accessible through the new medium of the Internet. This was somewhat of an experimental exercise. It taxed the capabilities of Nunanet Communications and resulted in only a preliminary and incomplete product. Jim suggested that the NWMB was now in a position to consider reviving and upgrading this initiative, and he proposed contracting a specialized agency to do it.

Members remained firm in their conviction that it was desirable and appropriate for the NWMB to have an attractive and serviceable website. Gordon Koshinsky asked for an indication of usage for the preliminary website that has been in service, and asked what effect it was having on staff workloads. Jim could provide no quantitative information. However his impression was that the site, even in its current tentative form, was perhaps even more popular than had been anticipated. This type of presentation at least has the potential to reduce staff workloads in respect to responding to requests for information. Kevin McCormick urged that a prime objective in renewing the website be to provide answers to questions that are routinely routed to the Board through other avenues.

The Board reaffirmed its earlier commitment to the concept of having and maintaining an NWMB website. The Board decided that it would be appropriate to advertise for expertise to take this development to a next logical step.

7. Participation at Upcoming Meetings and Other Events

Jim Noble led the Board through the most recent (as at 21 February) tabulation of announcements and invitations. The following decisions were reached regarding attendance and participation:

• NUK annual meeting (Makivik Corporation), February 28 – March 3 in Quaqtaq (Nunavik): Ben and Michelle will attend (one day). Other participants will include DSD, QWB, and DFO. This will be the fourth meeting of this group that the NWMB has attended. Ben Kovic noted that the matter of reciprocal harvesting rights was removed from the agenda at the request of the NTI’s Raymond Ningeocheak. Mr. Ningeocheak intends to pursue this subject with Makivik in a different forum.

• Nunavut Implementation Panel general meeting, February 29 in Iqaluit: Jim will attend a session involving all of the IPG Executive Directors. Topics for discussion will include NIP operating procedures and the 5-year independent review. Jim Noble noted that the review document seems to be in rather general circulation, but the NWMB has not yet formally received it.

• Wildlife Management Advisory Council (WMAC) general meeting, February 29 – March 2 in Inuvik : Not practical for anyone from NWMB to attend.

• Industry Advisory Group on Turbot (sponsored by DFO), February 29 in Newfoundland : Ray to attend.

• Meeting on “Future of WKSSS”, March 2-3 in Yellowknife : No participation by NWMB.

• KWF annual general meeting, March 3-6 in Rankin Inlet: Jim will probably attend, if the meeting actually proceeds.

• CITES Public Consultation session, March 10 in Hull : Michael may attend, if the agenda indicates that this would be worthwhile. Jim Noble relayed advice from Brian Wong of DFO, that the NWMB should take a broad view in deciding whether or not to participate in matters connected with fora such as CITES. Even if a particular agenda does not appear relevant, it can be useful to attend and support the legitimate interests of other agencies, thereby cultivating the support of those same agencies for matters that may be important to the NWMB on a future agenda.

• DFO strategy consultations with respect to NAFO, March 10 in Newfoundland : Ray to participate.

• Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee meeting, March 16 in Newfoundland : Ray to participate.

• NTI Board meeting, March 21-23 in Kugluktuk: Ben to attend.

• Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CITES), April 10-20 in Nairobi : Not practical nor feasible for the NWMB to attend.

• Regional (Northern) meeting of Canadian Marine Advisory Council, April 11-12 in Iqaluit: The NWMB office will ensure that there is a representative in attendance, if the agenda so indicates. Jim Noble noted that Michael d'Eça has been participating in meetings of this organization at the national level.

• DFO Science Advisory Council, May 29 in Halifax : Ben will participate.

• National Millennium Conference, sponsored by DOE, June 3-6 in Guelph : NWMB will not participate. Kevin McCormick advised that the agenda will be on stewardship, and predicted a predominantly southern-Canadian focus.

• Joint Flyway Council Meeting, and associate technical workshops, July 23-28 in Memphis . Natural Resources Canada if the window agency. Kevin McCormick advised that any participation, including that of his own Department, will need to hinge on an examination of the agenda.

• Ninth North American Caribou Workshop, April 2001 in Kuujjuaq: The Board took notice of this announcement.

8. Other Business

8.1 Reprinting Birds of Nunavut

Jim Noble advised that the very few copies of the original printing of this book are still available. Nortext has provided a quotation for reprinting as follows:

• 250 copies: $11,000 ($44.00 per book)

• 1000 copies: $13,000 ($13.00 per book)

• 2000 copies: $15,000 ($7.50 per book)

Members agreed that the Birds of Nunavut book filled an important educational need and was also a useful promotional device. The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 092) to reprint 2,000 copies of the book.

The Board also discussed the matter of distributing the additional books. Jim noted that this required a certain amount of labour, and the need for storage space was another consideration. Jim also noted that the Baffin Divisional Board of Education had sold copies of the original printing for profit, and there was some concern about whether this was appropriate in the circumstances. The Board concluded that it would be reasonable to provide an equal apportionment of the new printing to DSD, the Nunavut Department of Education, DOE, and the NWMB, each to distribute as and how they saw fit.

8.2 DFO Staff Position in Support of the NMC

Jim Noble advised that many concerns remain about the details of the job description as currently drafted, and the consistency (or not) of the initiative with the expectations of the NMC “members”, particularly the NWMB. Jack Mathias, who has been spear-heading the initiative on the part of DFO, returns today from vacation and can be expected to renew his efforts to finalize the arrangements. Meanwhile, he (Jim) will have opportunity this week to discuss the matter with the Executive Directors of the other IPGs.

The Board decided to take a wait-and-see posture on the matter, pending clarification of the views of the other IPGs.

9. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ ___________________

Chairperson Date

RESOLUTIONS: CONFERENCE CALL 47

Resolution 2000- 091: Resolved that the NWMB approve the NWMB operating budget as drafted for 2000/01 in the amount of approximately $6,100,000, subject to minor revisions as identified.

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: Harry Flaherty

Carried Date: 28 February 2000

Resolution 2000- 092: Resolved that the NWMB reprint 2,000 copies of the book Birds of Nunavut at a cost of approximately $15,000.

Moved by: Harry Flaherty Seconded by: Kevin McCormick

Carried Date: 28 February 2000