Tu Nedhe

Statements in Debates

Debates of , (day 51)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today is International Women’s Day. I rise to recognize the progress and advancement of women in society, specifically in achievement by a female constituent of mine. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Jeannette Mandeville was born and raised in Deninu Kue. Although she currently lives in Hay River with her husband Roger, she still has a strong connection and attachment to the community of Deninu Kue. A well-rounded individual with an educational background on native studies and social work, she has also enjoyed being outdoors fishing and boating, just to name a few of her interests.

On...

Debates of , (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a question on the question of the independence of the staffing review officers. I guess I am understanding that they are going to be government employees. I don’t know how arm's length they are going to be from the government, because they are going to be ministerial appointments, I guess. How is the Department of Finance going to ensure that the staffing review officers are totally independent, unbiased and objective when it comes to reviewing any kind of staffing appeals process? What kind of reassurance can the public get to just having any confidence...

Debates of , (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is good to know that people will not have to phone or write Yellowknife in order to get their appeal heard or considered for review. Earlier, we were talking about some of the inquiries we get with respect to hiring practices by the government…you know, aboriginal people that are applying for government positions are being screened because the affirmative action policy is something that is kind of not strictly adhered to nowadays. Is an appeal legitimate, based on a concern by an employee who is not given an opportunity for a position, because of the lack of...

Debates of , (day 51)

How is this MAP supposed to improve the aboriginal representation in management when there are no aboriginals in it?

Debates of , (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for acknowledging that they do recognize that there is a problem with that policy and there’s a problem with implementation of the policy and that’s been happening for the last 10 years that this policy has been in place. I guess I just wanted to -- going back to the people in the MAP-- this MAP is a Management Assignment Program and management in this government…

Debates of , (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess with the MAP program, the lack of aboriginal participation in that program, I know that people are nominated and they can nominate themselves, but a lot of people are putting forward their names, but they’re just not getting fair consideration, as far as they’re concerned, Mr. Speaker. On a few occasions people have applied twice. I notice they’re on the second round of the program implementation, and still they’re being turned down. These people are long-term government employees with lots of experience. They know in their own mind they can do the management...

Debates of , (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One question I would have with regard to the program is I don’t know why the department would be marketing the inmates. Why even give them the option or the choice of either on the land or jail? Why not market the judges who are handing down the sentences and say, you are going out to the bush camp whether you like it or not. It is a done deal right there. I think the justice here in the NWT is starting to cater more to the inmates as opposed to the justice system itself, and always seeking more inmate approval for where they want to go, how they want to be sentenced...

Debates of , (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess with the new vision of the human resource services for the GNWT, it says connecting our clients to provide leadership and excellence in human resource management. Mr. Speaker, one of the operating principles of that vision is that they will support managers in the recruitment and retention of a capable, competent public service that is representative of the people it serves and that focuses on results. So I’m just wondering, is the Minister going to make a commitment to the residents of the NWT, especially the aboriginal affirmative action candidates in the...

Debates of , (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The employment equity I know is based on the philosophy that employers will hire a representative workforce because it makes good business sense and operational sense to do so, and that’s a quote from the past Premier of this government in 2002. Another quote is from the executive director of our corporate human resource division saying that I expect it will be here for another two years and then we’ll eventually phase out the affirmative action and replace it with this employment equity. So I just want to ask the Minister what measures, with the amalgamation of the...