Public Works Management
The purpose of this web site is to provide information and materials
to support First Nations in exercising their role with respect to
the management of public works in their communities. The materials
offered may be of interest to Aboriginal leaders, Tribal Councils,
First Nation administrators, public works managers, self-government
negotiators, technical people, and community members. The aim is
to foster greater awareness and understanding of the public works
function as well as the importance that effective management of
public works plays in the long term sustainability of a community
and the quality of life of it's citizens.
The public works function is vital
to the health, safety, and well-being of any community. It is technically
and administratively complex and comes with the burden of responsibility
and potential liability. Achievement of community goals such as
self-sufficiency, pride and cultural expression, economic development,
and environmental protection rely heavily on well managed public
works. It is a challenging function to govern
and manage, particularly in smaller communities where economies
of scale are difficult to achieve and the breadth of skills required
to exercise diverse functions may not be readily available. In addition,
there are other functions such as housing
and environmental management that
are closely inter-related with public works which add to the challenge.
While investments in public works can be costly to fund and maintain,
it is the physical backbone of a community and cannot be neglected.
Should a public works system fail, the results can be tragic not
only in terms of property damage and environmental impacts, but
more importantly in terms of personal harm and even loss of life.
On the other hand, a well managed and effectively operated public
works system can help to improve a community's standard of living
and support the development of a healthier and safer community.
Comments and suggestions to further improve this web site are welcomed
by contacting the Client
Service Team for INAC and for Nunavut closest to you.
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