Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about gender-based analysis. Promoting the equality of men and women in our society and government is a good thing. Our current Premier has promised policy action on this particular matter. A number of my constituents were initially very excited about the news that this government was going to do something, but yet actions seem to have fizzled.
We all know that the GNWT policy Equality of Men and Women in the NWT is 23 years old, Mr. Speaker. Recommendations to update it were promised by this Premier back in 2009 and 2010 budget fiscal years. The Premier promised a position paper by the end of 2009 on using gender-based analysis in this particular government. To my knowledge, as of today we still have not seen that commitment fulfilled.
I fast forward to today, Mr. Speaker, more than a year and a half later. As I understand it, Cabinet has apparently received recommendations for updating the equality policy, but Members and the public have yet to see some of these recommendations. I will say I am glad to hear the government has started training for particular employees on gender-based analysis. However, have we required management to take this particular training? Has the government done any work to identify key staff and key positions who will be proficient and certainly need the training of gender-based analysis?
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if we are using tools on gender-based analysis to improve policy, programs and services we offer through our government. As I understand it, very few men are taking gender analysis training, Mr. Speaker. For a fact, from my research, three out of 44 were men so far, including, of course, the advanced course that is offered here in March. Mr. Speaker, what is interesting about this is that is less than 7 percent of the participants that are taking gender-based analysis training.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that everyone can learn a lot from this particular program. Interest may be waning, I wonder, by the government on this particular case. Six courses were offered in 2010 and one was cancelled. Mr. Speaker, again, this is causing me to raise some concern on this specific training that I believe is needed. Sadly, in 2011, four courses were offered in January and February and all were cancelled due to low enrolment. Mr. Speaker, I am just worried that the government may be losing its enthusiasm and this policy may be quietly leaving the back door of the Assembly. I want to make sure that this is highlighted properly and I want to be clear: is the government committed to this policy and how are they making sure it works?
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Premier later today on what he is doing to make sure that this policy doesn’t get swept under the carpet and we are promoting it further. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
