Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I talked about the foreign fieldworkers problem that we have here in Yellowknife — and not just here in Yellowknife but throughout the territory. It’s been noted many times over at length — and it’s probably exhausting to hear — how exciting and booming our economy is, but the fact is that businesses are suffering out here as well. We have a good economy, but we have businesses that can’t hire people to work there. We’ve had good examples throughout our city just alone.
When people have to close their business and close their doors because they can’t hire staff, that kind of makes you wonder who it is booming for. The problem arises, as I’ve noted, that they can’t hire staff, and potentially hiring foreign workers could help solve a lot of problems.
My question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is: if the Yukon government can strike an agreement with the Government of Canada and other provinces can strike some agreement and balance with the Government of Canada, would the Department of Education, Culture and Employment look at and strive to strike some agreement so we can hire and work through the paperwork for foreign workers?
The Minister for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mr. Speaker, we were just made aware that the Yukon government signed an MOU on the immigration nomination system program. As of last week, as soon as we heard the news, our department’s been working closely with their government department on the MOU. So we are making progress in this area.
Our department staff has been continuously working with their staff. There have been various calls coming to our department, so we’re fully aware of what the Members are highlighting here today. We’re doing what we can, as the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, working with the Yukon government on what’s actually in agreement. It may be something similar that we’re working on.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the answer from the Minister, and I’m certainly glad to hear that the Yukon situation is now on our radar. I’m going to go in this direction with this problem, which is timing. Timing is an issue. I can speak of one business in particular that is closing, because they just cannot continue to work seven days a week without being able to find staff to work at their shop anymore. So timing is the issue.
Now that the Minister is aware of a possible framework program out there, will the Minister commit to working on this problem to see if we can get a person directed to this task and work on solving this problem by the end of summer?
Mr. Speaker, we did meet with several businesses here in Yellowknife that are dealing with these challenges at hand. Due to that fact, we did have somebody in the department committed to working on this particular piece of work. They are following through with this. Due to the request of the Member for timelines, we have to do what we can with the current system. We’re working with the federal government on the portal, as well. We do have agreements with them, and just continue the process of discussing with them, and at the same time, long-term arrangements on the actual MOU — Yukon’s MOU — that’s been signed off. We need to look at that as well, so that’s what we’re doing at the current stages.
Mr. Speaker, can I get a commitment from the Minister to provide me and potentially other Members of this House a briefing as to what work has been done to date and what milestones are put in place, as well as what possible hurdles they foresee that are stopping us from implementing this program before the end of summer?
Mr. Speaker, that was one of the goals of the department. There is a briefing that will be forthcoming to the committee, so they’re aware of what progress we’ve made. Certainly, we’ll be happy to present to the committee upon the completion of our session. We’ll be gathering all the information and we’ll certainly share that.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue to me, as the Minister knows. This is the second time I’ve raised this, and I want to stress this isn’t just important to me; it’s important to many employers in our city, as well as to our territory. I would ask the Minister that he take the commitment to communicate to the NWT Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, about his intention to move forward on this initiative. Therefore, if they want any feedback or concern, or at least just be included in the loop on this possible step by this department, I would encourage the Minister to commit to that, if he can.
Mr. Speaker, our department will continue to consult with those individuals that are meeting these challenges. One of them will be the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations that are interested. Our department is willing to share that, upon our sharing that with the committee. Mahsi.
The Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
