Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories established the affirmative action policy in 1989 to “achieve equality and employment and career development for qualified, suitable and eligible target group persons.” The principles of affirmative action have long been recognized, Mr. Speaker, as a legitimate, indeed, responsible thing as they balance their workforce among the people they serve or rely on for their business.

Here in the NWT, our policy is met with mixed results and many Members, over time, have addressed the policy shortfalls. The Minister responsible has pledged it is about to undergo a major review to modernize it and to bring in methods that will help us do a better job.

Today I bring to the Assembly an aspect of this policy that warrants a very high priority. I specifically refer to two categories requiring that people who have not lived half their lives in the NWT cannot have equal opportunity of employment in our government.

Let me set the context, Mr. Speaker. A constituent, now middle-aged, came to the NWT when she was in her early twenties. She found that she had to wait until she was twice that age, in her mid-forties, before our government would give her equal opportunity for a job. Mr. Speaker, each of us has only one lifetime. In Canada, we can choose to live where we want and where we think we can make a contribution. It does not seem right that our government should deny anyone the chance to work for us on the grounds of where they were born or how old they are.

Yet, our Human Rights Act, passed in this Assembly in the year 2002, protects this affirmative action policy, Mr. Speaker, because it was in place of the coming into force of the Human Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, in any such important policy, it’s crucial that we consider who we are protecting and why. This must form the foundation of any workable affirmative action policy and we must do so having in mind the fundamental rights that are also set out in our own Human Rights Act. Were it not for the grandfathering of the old affirmative action policy, Mr. Speaker, it would almost undoubtedly be in contravention of the Human Rights Act. Therefore, we must ensure that this policy is now consistent with the important values, spirit and intent of our Human Rights Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause