Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we near the end of COVID restrictions imposed by this and the federal government, you can hear a sigh of relief from all residents. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately there remain issues that are unclear and questions unanswered. One issue, a specific issue, which impacts public sector employees is that of job descriptions that include a requirement for duty travel.
The vaccination policies this government developed were, in part, based on federal government restrictions for air travel. Because of these policies, some GNWT public sector workers were placed on leave without pay. This action not only impacted the employees but also resulted in emotional and financial hardship for their families.
Mr. Speaker, in making those restrictions for air travel, the federal government recognized the unique circumstances of the NWT, more specifically, the remote and isolated communities with air access only.
Documents posted by the federal government dated December 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, which have been tabled in this House, confirms exemptions for air travel for Indigenous people and Northerners in remote communities to and from Yellowknife. The documents confirm that a valid COVID19 test result would be accepted for travel in the NWT by persons not fully vaccinated.
Mr. Speaker, our vaccination policies were developed on the premise that air travel was restricted equally for all Canadian jurisdictions and that only those who were fully vaccinated were allowed to board aircraft unless it was an emergency. This was, in fact, not true for the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, our vaccination policies must recognize the federal government directives and incorporate those exemptions that allow for employee testing if not fully vaccinated. This would support and allow duty travel for those employees not fully vaccinated by having them test.
Mr. Speaker, the harm has been done as some GNWT employees were subsequently placed on leave without pay; some were compelled to take a vaccine they did not believe in; others took a severance package or outright quit. This could have been avoided if this government were aware and fully understood the federal directives.
Those impacted employees, and their families, experienced tremendous stress as they experienced ongoing harassment from management, from other employees, and the public. For this, the government owes each of them a public apology. We must now recognize the wrong by reinstating and compensating those employees who were placed on leave without pay or forced to leave their employment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
