Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about this one small line in this recruitment ad that has caused such a stir in Hay River. I really can’t overstate that, Mr. Speaker. I know it may not seem like a big thing, because one extra executive or CEO in Yellowknife may not be a big thing, but in Hay River, in a small community, this is a large thing. As our government, we say that we’re committed to vibrant, sustainable communities, and there’s good air service between Hay River and Yellowknife, there are certainly good communication systems in place and, like I said, this one small line here. It said that as a result, the selected individual may reside in either Yellowknife or Hay River.
I would like to ask the Premier today if he could tell us why, and tell the people of Hay River, I guess, why it was necessary to offer the alternative of living in Hay River or Yellowknife to this person. I’m wondering perhaps if they thought they couldn’t recruit somebody if it was to live in Hay River, because I think we could certainly prove that not to be the case, but I’d like to know what the rationale was for that option. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ad that was put out by the board on the recruitment process for the CEO was out. I was informed about it as the ad had gone out. I met with the acting chair of the board as well as their recruitment committee for that position. They have informed me that there has been no designation as to whether it be Hay River or Yellowknife, but they included that, and partly due to the fact of the review that was done that talked about some restructuring of the executive part of the headquarters. There is no commitment from that piece that we are not planning to do any moves out of Hay River to Yellowknife. That one position, though, was advertised as the potential incumbent could choose either location. That is what I was informed of. Thank you.
The day-to-day operations of an organization, whether or not the leader is there every day or not is largely -- and the Premier knows this as a leader of this organization -- the leadership is a huge piece of the good working and productivity and contentment of the folks who work in the headquarters in Hay River.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT hydro piece, which is a subsidiary of the NWT Power Corporation, having to come here to do that work when the Taltson is located in the South Slave. Hay River is in the South Slave. We as a government have got to look for ways of sustaining the smaller communities, which can’t be putting everything into Yellowknife. Nothing against Yellowknife, but we can’t be doing that. Is it too late to remove the option of the president and CEO of NTPC residing in Hay River? Is it too late at this juncture to remove that option from this recruitment exercise? Thank you.
The board has hired a recruitment firm over the last number of months, and has now in fact, I believe, made a recommendation as to who they would select. So during that process that ad was a part of it, and I just recently had a meeting again with the acting chair as well as the selection committee for that position. They reiterated to me that there was no preference given to either location, but I will commit to speaking with the board on this issue. Once again, thank you.
If I can get the Premier to agree, concur that the morale of the headquarters staff in Hay River would be enhanced by having the president and CEO also be a resident of that community to interact with those folks in the very many things you do in a small community, that that would be a valuable asset and would enhance the morale of the folks who work in the headquarters in NTPC. Thank you.
I know that the Power Corporation headquarter staff as well as the staff within that community of Hay River and across the North has in fact faced many challenges over the last number of years from motions of this Assembly to motions of the Association of Communities. They have dedicated to continue providing the best level of service they can. We have had our challenges. I know that the issue of morale is one of those that get discussed by the board, as well, when they talk about the future operations going forward with the Power Corporation. Yes, I believe that morale is important. With the hiring process that having someone new come on board and it would make sense then that they become very familiar with the staff that are called headquarters in Hay River. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would still like to have the Premier commit to formally communicating with the acting chair of the board of directors, expressing strongly that the preference of this government would be that the president and CEO of NTPC reside where the headquarters is located in Hay River. Thank you.
I would say I’ve been apprised the Member of this Legislative Assembly question Ministers of the past about where they put their key staff. I have heard many Members of the Assembly talk about, for example, if we were to put in new positions, that we diversify and go throughout our Territory. I will express the concern to the board as we go through these stages of hiring a new CEO. I will share that with the board. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
