Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance. In the last Assembly, the Minister committed to create a new policy to prioritize hiring Indigenous people. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide the status of this new policy to support Indigenous hiring?

Mr. Chair, I move the Chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I echo and support the comments from my colleagues. I won't reiterate other than to say thank you. Nationally, it's a priority. Territorially, it's a priority. In my own region, certainly I've heard it loud and clear. In my riding and in my region, it's a priority, and it has been for a long time, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let's work with our Indigenous governments. Let's go shoulder to shoulder. Let's get the funding, and let's find a solution to this problem once and for all. Thank you.

So I assume, then, that the same position as the position is ready to be advertised and we'll soon have a new regional director up there?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. Direct appointments, Mr. Speaker, are a tool that the GNWT can and does often use to place employees in the positions without running public competitions. Can the Minister provide the number of direct appointments in the GNWT over the last fiscal year and which of those were Indigenous? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentioned the Indigenous Retention Recruitment Framework. Can the Minister say how this framework is being monitored and the success of the departments to implement the employment plans are being monitored as well? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about Indigenous employees in the GNWT. It's a topic that has been raised numerous times in this House, Mr. Speaker. The public service is the largest employer in the Northwest Territories, whether it's federal, territorial, or municipal community government. The public service is present in every community and employs the majority of NWT residents.

And, Mr. Speaker, we know the GNWT has grown over the years. The latest labour force activity reports show a total public service in the NWT grew by 500 over the past year. But, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's important to note that this is going to second reading. It's important to note that, you know, we have committees that do important work. I think, you know, in this case I think there's enough information required, no matter what your opinion is or what how if you think that, you know, the bill is appropriate, if you think that the existing system is working better, I know there are concerns. I have concerns whether or not how it's going to affect the mineral industry. The mineral industry right now, as my colleague has said, has based their...

Thank you. And thank you for the response. Mr. Speaker, how does the GNWT monitor and track this trend across government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned about a trend in government operations. There appears to be a high number of vacant positions and positions that have gone unfilled for an inordinate amount of time. Mr. Speaker, I understand there's staff turnover and for a variety of reasons, it can be hard to fill positions. Maybe the position is specialized which makes filling the position difficult, especially in the more northern and remote communities.

Mr. Speaker, how is the GNWT monitoring this trend across the government? Is the number of vacant positions being monitored over time? Is...