(Yellowknife, NT) September 3, 2020 – The Standing Committee on Government Operations has determined that its priority for the remainder of the 19th Assembly is increasing the representation of Indigenous people at all levels of the public service.
This priority was decided at a strategic planning session held at the Dene Wellness Centre on the K’atl’odeeche First Nation from August 17 to 21, 2020.
“Despite adoption of the Affirmative Action Policy and other initiatives, the number of Indigenous people in the Government of the Northwest Territories public service has remained unchanged at approximately 30 per cent for more than forty years,” stated Frieda Martselos, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations. “This is well below the 50 per cent target set by the GNWT for a representative public service.”
The Committee hopes to identify the systemic barriers to increasing the representation of Indigenous people in the public service, and review GNWT human resource practices and policies. The Committee plans to table a report in the Legislative Assembly, and make recommendations to the Government.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations plays an oversight role for the Department of Finance, which includes responsibility for Human Resources and the public service. The Committee also has oversight for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and the statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly.
During the 19th Assembly, the Committee will also conduct mandatory reviews of the Official Languages Act and the Heritage Fund Act.
The members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations are:
Frieda Martselos, MLA Thebacha, Chair
Caitlin Cleveland, MLA Kam Lake
Rylund Johnson, MLA Yellowknife North
Lesa Semmler, MLA Inuvik Twin Lakes