Debates of March 18, 2004 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland. They are to do with my Member’s statement with regard to a record of employment. As I have stated in my Member’s statement, this has gotten to be a bit of a problem. I have received complaints from a number of my constituents now that have experienced this, and the length of time it takes for them to get their record of employment after being employed with the GNWT. I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of this problem and if there have been other complaints about this before. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the problems in the area of records of employment. I have, in fact, dealt with a number of cases that have come across my desk. It is something that I have asked the staff to look at in trying to shorten time frames and meet our requirements. Part of the problem is that each department in the regions and communities have that information and have to initially put out the forms and send them into our department. So we are going to be working on trying to improve that. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in my Member’s statement, the rules under HRDC are that records of employment have to be submitted within five days of the termination of employment. Do those rules apply to the territorial government? Are they the same as they are for other employers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, they do apply to us. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, do the records of employment all come from FMBS for the Government of the Northwest Territories or do other departments put them out? Do they all come through the same department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding of the process is that when the employee is going to leave, they inform their immediate supervisor in the department of whatever department they are working for, and that initiates the process of getting the paperwork done, then it flows through to FMBS. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my Member’s statement as well, this is a hardship for some folks that have a family and if they are not getting this record they can’t draw employment insurance. So could I get a commitment from the Minister that he will communicate that to all of the departments to try and speed this process up so that we rectify this problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I understand that it does cause some hardship to those families that don’t have a lot of funds to use between jobs. We will be working with the departments to ensure that we pick up on that process and improve on it. Thank you.