Debates of March 30, 2004 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to get off the topic of the BIP here and change gears a little bit.

---Applause

I’m sure that will come as some relief to the guys across the way. I want to ask the Minister responsible for the Audit Bureau a few questions and that pertains to a letter I received from them with regard to vacancies in the division. I’ve done a little bit more research on that, and I see that there are six vacancies in the Audit Bureau, out of 14 possible positions in that division. I'm just wondering, Mr. Speaker, if I could ask the Minister why these positions in some cases have been vacant for over 36 months. Mr. Speaker, that's three years. If they haven't been filled for three years, my concern is what's happening with the funding that's going into that division for these positions. Forty-four percent of the positions in the Audit Bureau are vacant today. Mr. Speaker, I'm asking the Minister what is happening with the funding that's going into the Audit Bureau if these positions are vacant in some cases for up to three years? Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 114-15(3): Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't speak for what the previous governments did with the money, but what we do in cases if we needed the work done and we didn't have the resources within, that means our own staff, we would look at contracting individuals to take on some of that workload. So that could be done in some cases. As well, it could be used as an area of saving some money from within and turning that back to the consolidated revenue. But I can't speak for the three years. I'm aware of the four positions, unless there are a couple more out there for hire right now and waiting for actual closure on those positions. But I'm aware of four and I've sent a letter to Members. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(3): Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next question I would have is if a couple of these positions, and they're senior positions, Mr. Speaker, have been vacant -- one for over three years, the other coming up on two years -- will the Minister consider rolling these positions up? If the Audit Bureau has gotten by without these positions for this amount of time, does that cause the Minister some concern? I know he spoke of the last government, but this is this government. Today is today. Will the Minister undertake to have a review of this division and see if we can roll up some of these positions that have been vacant for up to three years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 114-15(3): Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, I will get more details. But again, if in fact we are using those dollars to contract individuals to do that work on behalf of government, then we will look at doing that as sort of a way of getting the job done. But I am aware that, as well, for those jobs that are vacant there have been a number of attempts to fill them. Unfortunately on a couple of occasions, there were no candidates that were accepted for those positions, so they have looked at going through the process once again. But I will take that concern forward and get more details as to what's done, if in fact the money in previous years has been used to contract some of the work out. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 114-15(3): Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Minister, for your reply. I wanted to ask, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could provide that information in terms of what is being contracted out. There is some confusion in terms of what the funding for these vacant positions is used for and, Mr. Speaker, if that money is used for contracting out, then I would like to see the Minister give this House some indication on when he may be able to get back to us in terms of folding up these few positions in the Audit Bureau. Thank you.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 114-15(3): Vacancies In The GNWT Audit Bureau

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I will have to get more detail before I even go down that road of folding up positions. I will look at how the work has been done and how that workload has been carried, and from that come back to the Members and provide them information. Through our next business process we can look at some options that would be available to us. Thank you.