Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question I have is for the honourable Minister of Human Resources, Floyd Roland. I wanted to ask the Minister in terms of the government’s policy regarding government employees who bid on government contracts. I want to know what the policy states. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when an employee of our government wants to seek employment outside of their normal work, they would have to seek approval from the deputy responsible for their department and get the okay from that level. Before a government employee can work outside of their normal working hours, they need to seek that approval in writing from the deputy of that department. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister’s response. What is the process for this government that may call into question in regards to the approval for that department to give their government employees the clearance to bid on government contracts? Will the Minister consider reviewing that policy, because right now it is a concern for one of my constituents in the Sahtu region? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this comes up from time to time. For example, in some of our smaller communities where we have some trained staff in the communities, whether it is to do with work with heating systems and homes or repairing vehicles, if there are no other contractors available in that community, then they are asked to do that type of work. That is where this provision comes from. Because it is available to all employees, it is as well used in the larger centres. What we would look at, for example, is if there is competition in the community or potential conflict with their workload, what they’re doing and the job that they’re seeking. So it’s something that each deputy would have to take into review before giving authorization for that employee to work outside of the government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s an issue here that, with this work being done in my region, that there is a health competition and there is no other contract or other kind of expertise done in this situation, which is totally against what’s happening in Norman Wells, in my region, in regard to a recent contract that has been awarded to two government employees that has taken away the livelihood of one person. Now, this is shameful. I would ask the Minister if he would consider this. It’s a shameful tactic on government. It’s a shameful excuse of this government to do this to one of my constituents. This is a sole income for this person here that’s given by a government people. It’s sensitive and I want to raise this today with the Minister. Will the Minister reconsider this contract that’s currently under review? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, the issue of the employee of the Government of the Northwest Territories seeking employment outside of their responsibilities, ultimately a decision is made by the deputy of that department to give them the okay. Once that’s granted, they're free and clear until an issue may come up that has to be addressed again. It’s a case-by-case review by the deputy. I will provide the actual policy, to be clear to the Member, that deputies would have to use. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister then inform the deputy that has to again allow his employees to look at it? It is sensitive, however, it hits right at the crux of a constituent and it does tear away from one solving one issue. It’s going to create a problem for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment by having one of my constituents in an income support situation. That’s just terrible. So would the Minister again inform the appropriate deputy that he reconsider on this issue, this policy? I know it’s sensitive, so I’ll just leave it at that. Would the Minister talk to the deputy in charge to look at this policy again? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would have to speak to the Minister of the specific department and deal with them through the Minister. Thank you.