East Side Planning Initiative Groups

• The ESPI Round Table is comprised of representatives of affected local, Aboriginal, and First Nations communities; a Trappers Association; one Conservation Organization; the Manitoba Mining Association; a Forestry company; a model forest; the Manitoba Métis Federation; Academia, and northern community councils. The Round Table is chaired by Mr. Phil Fontaine, who is the Assembly of National Chiefs elected Grand Chief, and the Associate Chair is Mr. Ed Wood of South Indian Lake territory. Former Manitoba Premier, Honourable Edward Schreyer, is a Special Advisor to the Table. The role of the ESPI table is to collect information, undertake research, and communicate with the First Nation Council, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and communities regarding the vision, goals, objectives, and issues for the plan. The Round Table is also to direct and provide recommendations to the ESPI Secretariat in the preparation, content and implementation of a draft plan. Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, the Round Table no longer exists; it has been replaced by the East Side First Nations Council (ESFNC).
  
  
• A First Nations Council of a representative from each of the First Nations in the planning area is to provide direction to the Round Table in the area of conducting public meetings and consultation, the goals, objectives, values for the plan, options for addressing issues, integration of community land use plans, and the inclusion of traditional knowledge.Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, the First Nations Council no longer exists; it has been replaced by the East Side First Nations Council (ESFNC).
  
  
• A Stakeholder Advisory Committee comprised of social, environmental, community, recreational, and tourism groups, plus industry provides input to the planning table in the area of conducting public meetings and consultation, the goals, objectives, values for the plan, options for addressing issues, etc. Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, the existence and role of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee is unclear. No meetings of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee have taken place since early 2004.
  
  
• An interdepartmental working group of deputy and assistant deputy ministers from government departments with responsibilities pertaining to public land use support the planning table; acts as in-house consultants by providing planning, resource and policy advice and information to the ESPI participants and the secretariat. . Note: This working group has met rarely since 2002, and there are no records of its work. It is unclear whether it continues to exist.
  
  
• A secretariat of government staff and contractors, including a project manager assists with organization, logistics, and information management in support of the ESPI table and both advisory groups and the working groups. It is the responsibility of the Secretariat and the table members to ensure that the goals, objectives and terms of reference for the ESPI are upheld. Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, no information as to staffing of the ESPI secretariat has been made public.
  
  
• Three Working Groups - Southern Region, Central Region, and Northern Region - have also been formed to critically examine issues from a regional perspective. Working group membership is comprised of representatives from each of the three main ESPI bodies (the Planning Table, First Nation Council, Stakeholder Advisory Committee). Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, it is not clear whether these Working Groups are still part of the overall functioning of the ESPI. Their work was primarily in the first half of 2004 to submit recommendations for the ESPI report.
  
  
• Plan Coordination & Governance - Creates the Vision and Values statement for the Working groups, proposes governance and implementation of any future East Side plan, to coordinate information, and to integrate the recommendations of the three Working groups. Membership is limited to 8 members of the round table and First Nations Council (as of June 2004 there is no plan). Note: As of Phase Three of the ESPI, it appears this group is not functioning.
  
  
• East Side First Nations Council (ESFNC) - As of Phase Three, the ESFNC replaces the Round Table and First Nations Council. The ESFNC is made up of the Chiefs or their representatives of 16 First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and five (5) representatives of four (4) stakeholder organizations and one (1) seat for Metis residents on the east side. The list of ESFNC members is not public.