Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of ENR. I guess, I would like to firstly say that we are always friends, you know; just sometimes our jobs put us on different sides. Well, we're on different sides of the floor, anyways. We know that, for sure. This is regarding the hiring practice in my community. I know I've pleaded with the Minister; I've sent emails, you know, short of signing over my GST cheque, but it's about inexperience versus experience.
It's just come to my attention since I got back earlier today that there is a very inexperienced Renewable Resource Officer III, which is the lead in the community, or officers. From what I am hearing, this person didn't know how to use a firearm. He discharged a 12-gauge in Fort Simpson, and it injured a person. He was sent out for further training on firearms, use of firearms and firearm safety, plus I am getting reports that former renewable resource officers even had to teach him how to operate a snow machine and teach him how to just live in the bush.
Just wait one second. It's pretty easy to identify the person you are speaking about, so just oral questions. Thank you.
My apologies, Mr. Speaker. I guess it's experience versus inexperience that I am getting at. I'm really hoping, because we have been pleading to have our local people in the community hired into the positions. My question to the Minister is: will he revisit the hiring of the positions in Fort Providence? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member for Deh Cho has been talking to me about this in December, January, and February. We have had good conversations. We have had communication. I have shared as much information as I can share without getting into privacy and about process. At no point in time as a Minister should you be directing staff who to hire. It is about following fair process. Sorry. I won't be jumping on the bandwagon yet, but no, I won't re-look at the process. We followed the process, and the best candidate was given the RRO III position. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi for that answer. I don't have any further questions in that regard since he is already taken a solid stance, but just to let him know that we will probably be seeking other actions to hopefully address this issue. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. I will take that as a comment. The Minister would like to respond.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is the appeal process, and it is all there. It is about trying to get the best person, the best candidate for the position. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho is an advocate for his community about people. I want people to understand he is doing his job. He is working hard to get his residents work and employment. Presently, right now, the RRO3 position went through an open competition, and the best candidate was given that position based on that. There is an appeal process through the mechanism. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
