105 - Roles and Responsibilities

Effective: April 1, 2016
Section: Governance
Administrator: Office of the Comptroller General
Applicability: GNWT Departments and Public Agencies

POLICY           

GNWT Departments (including revolving funds and statutory offices) and Public Agencies, whose primary funding is appropriated by Legislative Assembly enactment, will comply with legislation, regulations, and financial administration policies approved by the Financial Management Board (FMB) and the Executive Council, and pursue public policy agendas in accordance with the principles of responsible fiscal management.

A Public Agency may depart from direction in this manual if it has a statutory duty to do so, or it has been directed to do so by the FMB, or delegate, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act (FAA).

PURPOSE        

To identify and describe the sources of authority for financial direction given in this manual and elsewhere, further to the powers and duties of public officers set out in the FAA, other legislation and publications.

SCOPE

Applies to all public officers with financial administration responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Commissioner of the NWT

Make regulations respecting matters related to the FAA on the recommendation of the Financial Management Board (FMB); may do any act, and exercise any power, necessary for the purpose of fulfilling the obligations and enforcing the rights of Government.

The Legislative Assembly and its Standing Committees

Establish overall Government priorities, reviews, approves or makes recommendations, as appropriate, on annual budget estimates and appropriations, capital plans, business plans, bills, financial management (including the implications of existing and proposed Government programs) and public accounts matters.

Executive Council (Cabinet)

Establish program priorities and provide overall direction for the management of programs.

The Financial Management Board

Act on all matters related to the financial management and fiscal administration of the departments and public agencies of the Government, including fiscal and accounting policies, plans and practices, financial management, internal controls and activities, risk management, the Internal Audit Bureau, the evaluation of the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of programs, approving plans, policies and strategies associated with human resource management and information management and technology; may delegate its powers and duties; may issue a directive respecting the financial management or financial administration of a Public Agency.

Subject to the FAA, and any directions of the Executive Council, the Board will act on all matters in respect of reporting requirements to ensure the fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency of departments, public agencies and other reporting bodies.

Minister of Finance

Responsible for matters relating to the collection, management and control of public money, including: developing and implementing budgetary, economic, fiscal revenue generating, and tax policies; developing and implementing fiscal responsibility policies, plans and financial management systems; establishing and maintaining systems and procedures; and also acts as the Chair of the FMB.

Ministers

Each Minister, along with the Deputy Head, Director of Finance or equivalent, and other members of the senior management team, is responsible for ensuring that the financial affairs of operations within his or her responsibility are properly administrated.

Secretary to the Financial Management Board

A member of the public service appointed as Secretary to the Financial Management Board performs duties as may be assigned by the FMB; appoints a director of the Internal Audit Bureau.

Comptroller General

Appointed by the Minister of Finance; Maintains systems and procedures with respect to the integrity of Government financial records and accounting systems including: the collection, receipt, disbursement and control of public money; ensures compliance by GNWT Departments, Public Agencies and other reporting bodies with accounting policies and practices; manages the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Public Accounts; May approve interpretation bulletins associated with this policy; Chair of the Internal Audit Committee (GNWT).

Deputy Head

Ultimately accountable to the Legislative Assembly through the responsible Minister for the conduct of the affairs of the Public Agency; develops new revenue sources and manages existing ones as directed by the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Council and current legislation.

Department of Finance

Has specific responsibilities for: risk management and insurance; banking; borrowing and lending; overseeing the Government's investment program; assisting in developing the revenue framework for the Government through analysis of current and projected taxes and other revenue sources; administrating tax programs such as tobacco and fuel taxes; monitoring personal and corporate income tax for the Northwest Territories..

Internal Audit Committee (GNWT)

Support the FMB in fulfilling its responsibilities regarding internal controls, risk management, and governance processes further to financial and operational reporting and compliance monitoring within government departments and public agencies. It also oversees the Internal Audit Bureau and supports the interaction with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada on performance audits for government departments and public agencies.

Internal Audit Bureau (GNWT)

Provide independent and objective internal audit services to government departments and public agencies.  The scope of the Internal Audit Bureau encompasses, but is not limited to the examination and evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Government’s and public agencies’ governance, risk management and internal controls processes,  as well as the quality of the performance in carrying out assigned responsibilities to achieve stated goals and objectives.  It does not replace senior management’s responsibility for internal controls, risk management, quality, compliance, security, program evaluation or program monitoring within departments and public agencies.

AUTHORITIES and REFERENCES

INTERPRETATION BULLETINS

Mis à jour: 29 avril 2026