NPC’s bosses reply to their critics

An independent operational review of the Nunavut Planning Commission, initiated in May of this year to assess the ongoing management of the Commission, will supplement the annual financial audit as an important tool in ensuring accountability, efficiency and effectiveness in the Commission’s operations, according to Bob Lyall, Commission Chairperson.

Stated Lyall, “I felt it was important to ensure that Commission bylaws and administrative procedures were being met by all Board members and staff by undertaking an additional independent management review of our organization.”

He added, “As well, in recent weeks there have been some unsubstantiated allegations about the actions of some of our staff. A thorough review of these allegations will be incorporated into the independent management consultants report, as it is essential that any allegations, unsubstantiated or otherwise, be addressed quickly by the Commission and the independent review provides the opportunity to do so.”

The review is being conducted by Aarluk-Consilium Consulting and will address both the ongoing management of the Commission and now the specific concerns and allegations that have been raised by several Board members.

As well, the consultant will have the mandate to do a thorough review of any concerns that might be identified through their process. At the same time the consultant will complete the work that was not finished by the Ad-Hoc Board Committee regarding a review of the Commission’s bylaws, including the Board Chair’s job description and salary.

This review will be completed by mid-August and the consultants will then report back on their findings and any recommendations to the full Board of the Commission. The cost of this review is estimated at $49,000.

Said Lyall, “I have authorized this expenditure as I feel it is important to maintain the credibility and accountability of the Commission by having an independent review of the concerns that have been raised.”

At the same time the Commission’s annual financial audit is now underway and expected to be completed by the end of June. The results of the audit will also be brought forward to the full Board for consideration, along with the results of the management review. The management review will consider the management implications of any audit recommendations.

“I am confident that this year’s financial audit will show, as has been the case in the past, that the Commission’s finances and financial procedures are in good order,” said Lyall.

He concluded, “As Chair of the Commission over the past 12 years I put the highest priority on ensuring accountability and openness in the operation of this organization. It is unfortunate that the good reputation of the Commission and some of its staff have been put at risk through unsubstantiated public allegations, without a proper review, even though there are appropriate processes in place to review and address such concerns.”

“It will now be important to allow the financial audit and the management review to be completed in the next few months and to address their findings through the appropriate processes as a full Commission Board at formally scheduled Board meetings,” he added.

The next meeting of the Commission Board will be scheduled in the near future to enable consideration of the results of the financial audit and management review.

The Nunavut Planning Commission has responsibility for testing for conformity all proposals for land use in regions with government-approved land use plans. The Commission has 14 staff, with six in Cambridge Bay, four in Arviat, and one each in Pond Inlet, Taloyoak, Yellowknife and Ottawa.