Fonds 303 - Northwest Territories. Department of Planning and Program Evaluation fonds

The Department of Planning and Program Evaluation was established in April 1975. Many of the department's responsibilities were transferred from the Executive Secretariat.

The Department of Planning and Program Evaluation monitored all short and long-range plans for the Government of the Northwest Territories and recommended to the Executive Committee long-range plans for the Government of the Northwest Territories. The department monitored and coordinated the development of policies and programs for government departments, provided line management for major inter-departmental projects of the Government of the Northwest Territories and coordinated the department's activities on projects in order to maintain consistency in planning and development. The department was the lead department for the Inter-departmental Committee on Planning. It was also responsible for the encouragement and monitoring of scientific research in the Northwest Territories and was involved in statistical data collection. In addition, the Department of Planning and Development offered services dealing with metric conversion and delivered the audit program.

The Planning Division operated between 1975-76. It was responsible for co-coordinating the development and revision of all long and short-term planning within the Territorial Government. This division identified and made recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding the development of new programs and policies to meet projected requirements. The Planning Division coordinated and monitored Federal planning and program development in the Northwest Territories. The division played a major role in the development of the government's program priorities during the preparation of five-year forecasts. This work was carried out with the cooperation of the Department of Finance. This division was also responsible for developing regional plans such as the Mackenzie Delta regional plan that was developed in response to the proposed gas pipeline and further oil and gas exploration. It also was involved with planning and research projects concerning metric conversion in the Northwest Territories, International Women's Year and the implementation of the outpost camps review.

The Program Evaluation Division operated between 1975-76 and carried out studies that assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of Territorial Government programs. Other responsibilities included assisting other departments with the evaluation of their own programs and reviewing all new and revised programs, such as the financial aid program to NWT students, the recreation leadership program, the Keewatin District Service Office and the Hire North Project.

The Science and Statistics Division maintained a liaison with all agencies involved in northern research. This division encouraged and co-ordinate research within the Territorial Government and provided advice and information on matters related to science and technology. The division provided statistical data and information for Territorial Government use and acted as a liaison with Statistics Canada. This division was responsible for authorizing licenses for scientific research.

The Audit Bureau provided a comprehensive audit program within the Government of the Northwest Territories. It acted as Territorial Auditor in relation to Federal Provincial agreements and adhered to the Financial Administration Act, NWT Act, Authorities Manual and Territorial Ordinances. The bureau provided internal audits of the Housing Corporation, as well as served as auditor for Hamlets, Villages and Towns.

The Science and Statistics Division operated between 1975-77. This division was responsible for issuing licenses for scientific research after consultation and approval from communities where the research would potentially be disruptive. This division also acted as a liaison with the federal government concerning scientific matters relating to the Northwest Territories. The division provided advice and information on matters relating to science and technology and encouraged and coordinated research. Furthermore, the division maintained a relationship with all agencies involved in northern research. This division also provided statistical data and information for Territorial Government use and liaised with Statistics Canada. The Statistics Division was moved to the Policy and Evaluation Division in 1978.

In 1977, a Directorate Division was added to the Department of Planning and Program Evaluation. This division provided policy and operational guidelines for achievement of divisional objectives and provided for the internal operation and administration of the department.

In 1977, the Planning Division and the Program Evaluation Division joined to form the Policy and Evaluation Division. This division was responsible for evaluating the socio-economic impact of major government and non-government programs and strategies on the public and developed socio-economic indicators that measured the impact of new Government of the Northwest Territories programs and policies. It assessed new policies and program proposals that were submitted to the Executive Committee and prepared policy proposals and impact studies on such issues as transportation, communication and strategic plans. The Policy and Evaluation Division was divided into three sections; the Policy Analysis Section examined policy and program proposals to ensure that the policies reflected the current needs and conditions in the Northwest Territories. This section also participated in discussion with other federal government departments to ensure that northern priorities would be examined. The Program Evaluation Section evaluated government programs such as short-term employment, outpost camps, in-service training, day care centers, apprenticeships and cultural inclusion. The Statistics Section determined the data requirements of the government and was involved with data collection and management. This section also acted as a liaison with federal and provincial agencies concerning statistics.

The ACND/Metric Co-ordination section was formerly part of the Planning Division but was given autonomy in 1977 due to greater activity associated with metric conversion. This section developed and implemented a program to assist the public, industry and the Government of the Northwest Territories in understanding the International System of Units (SI) and to ensure the orderly conversion to the metric system. In 1979-80, a governmental liaison function was added to this section. This position coordinated government activities concerning the Status of Women and governmental participation in the Advisory Committee on Northern Development.

The Science Section was created in 1977 after the responsibility for collection statistical data was transferred to the Policy and Evaluation Division. The Science Section represented the Government of the Northwest Territories in dealing with federal agencies, universities and other institutions in science related matters. It provided information to the Executive and program managers on current developments and research activities and coordinated and encouraged scientific activities within the government. This section administered the Scientist Ordinance and maintained a liaison with scientists conducting fieldwork in the Northwest Territories. Its staff participated in the Science Advisory Board, which became part of the Department of Planning and Program Evaluation in 1979. The main objective of the Board was the application of science, engineering and technology to life and living conditions for the people of the Northwest Territories. The Board achieved this objective by identifying research needs and then initiated or recommended studies to provide advice to the Legislative Assembly on scientific members. The Board functioned as a catalyst to develop a greater scientific awareness among northern residents and to develop a resident scientific community capable of planning and conducting northern research that would be sensitive to the needs of the people living in the north. The Science Advisory Board was transferred to the Department of Renewable Resources in 1980.

The Special Projects and Development Division operated between 1975-1979. It provided line management and coordination of Territorial Government responsibilities in regards to major new developments. The division was responsible for managing capital projects designated by the Executive that required interdepartmental planning and co-ordination. This involved the financial management of the project, overseeing the construction, acting as a liaison with the community, the contractors and other federal and territorial departments involved in the development. Between 1975-76, this division was involved with the development of the new lead-zinc mine at Strathcona Sound on Baffin Island and in 1977, the division was involved with the development of the town of Nanasivik and ensuring that an infrastructure and services were made available. It was also responsible for the relocation of the Resolute Bay town site. Other projects undertaken were the design and supervision of a large community hall in Snare Lake and the town center complex in Rae. During 1979-80, it coordinated the transfer of the Area Service Office from Yellowknife to Rae Edzo and coordinated and represented the interests of the Government of the Northwest Territories in the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Project.

The Department of Planning and Program Evaluation was disassembled in 1979. The Policy and Evaluation Division and Statistics Division were transferred to the Department of the Executive. The Science Section was transferred to the Department of Renewable Resources and the Metric Conversion Section was transferred to the Department of Justice and Public Services.