Functional Responsibility:
The Northern Alberta Development Council Act assigns the following mandate to the NADC: "to investigate, monitor, evaluate, plan and promote practical measures to foster and advance general development in northern Alberta, and to advise the Government thereon" (RSA 1980 cN-9 s3). The NADC acts as an advisory body to Government on policies and services affecting northern Alberta and reports to the Executive Council through the Minister Responsible for Northern Development. The principle functions of the NADC are to investigate the needs and priorities of residents of northern Alberta and of businesses and industries that operate in the region, through consultation with community groups, the corporate sector and individuals; to advise the Government on policy and program development based on these investigations; and to respond to the concerns of northern Albertans about provincial government policies and programs, and the delivery of government services. It also administers various programs, in co-operation with the private sector, community and aboriginal groups, and other government departments, that target development in northern Alberta. Upon its inception the functional areas of the NADC outlined in the Act were: "industrial development; transportation facilities; agriculture stabilization; Métis rehabilitation; educational facilities; and local administration" (SA 1963 c41 s4). In a 1975 amendment to the Act this was changed to the following: "social and economic development, development of communities and service delivery, and development of government services and programs" (SA 1975 c71 s2).

Administrative Structure:
Currently, the NADC consists of ten members: one northern Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) who serves as Chair, and nine appointed public members. The members are all residents of northern Alberta appointed through an Order-in-Council. The NADC reports to the Executive Council through the Minister responsible for Northern Development (currently the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development) - although the NADC is independent and prepares its own business plan, annual report, and budget, these are presented to the Executive Council as part of the submissions of the Minister's Department.

Administrative History:
The NADC was established in 1963 with the purpose of advising the provincial government regarding projects and programs for northern development. In 1965 the NADC was assigned a budget apportionment of approximately $22 million to support these projects. This apportionment was finished in 1971, at which point the NADC became essentially inactive, until it was reactivated in 1973 along with the establishment of the Liaison Group for Alberta Indians and Métis within the Northern Development Office (under the Minister without Portfolio Responsible for Northern Development). A full-time MLA Chairman's position was created in 1979 (prior to this the Chair of the NADC was the Minister Responsible for Northern Development). Although the Council is an independent body it has been administered by the Minister whose portfolio includes Northern Development, therefore it has come under the authority of several Ministries since 1963.

The Northern Development Branch was first established in 1973 as the Northern Development Group. Originally the Group's role was to conduct research and advise the NADC on long-range planning and policy development for government programs in the north. In 1974 it became the Northern Development Branch of the Department of Business Development and Tourism, focusing more heavily on program development and providing administrative and technical support to the NADC. The Branch reported to the Department of Business Development and Tourism until 1978, and then to the Department of Tourism and Small Business until 1980. After 1980 the Branch reported to the Executive of the Northern Alberta Development Council, but also maintained administrative links to the Department that was responsible for the NADC. The Branch was essentially composed of the staff of the NADC, whereas the Council was composed of the members. The Branch continued to carry out the administrative activities of the NADC until 2000, when responsibility for the Council was transferred to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. After this transfer, the role of the staff members of the Branch remained the same, but the administrative arm of the NADC was no longer referred to by the name Northern Development Branch.

Administrative Relationships:
The NADC reports to the Executive Council through the Minister Responsible for Northern Development. These have been: Minister without Portfolio 1963-1971 & 1973-1975; Minister of Business Development and Tourism 1975-1979; Minister of Tourism and Small Business 1979-1986; Minister of Transportation and Utilities 1986-1992; the Premier 1992-1999; and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development 2000-current.

Names of Chief Officers:
Ministers Responsible for Northern Development/ Responsible for the Northern Alberta Development Council:
Al "Boomer" Adair 1973-1992
Premier Ralph Klein 1992-1999
Pearl Calahasan 2000- current

Chairs of the Northern Alberta Development Council:
R.W. (Bob) Dowling 1975-1979
Elmer E. Borstad (MLA Grande Prairie) 1979-1982
Norm A. Weiss (MLA Lac La Biche/ McMurray) 1983-1986
Bob Elliot (MLA Beaverlodge / Grande Prairie) 1987-1993
Wayne Jacques (MLA Grande Prairie-Wapiti) 1993-1996
Mike Cardinal (MLA Athabasca-Wabasca) 1997-2000
Guy Boutilier (MLA Fort McMurray) 2000-2001
Gary Friedel (MLA Peace River) 2001-2004
Ray Danyluk 2004-current

There are no predecessor/successor bodies for the NADC.