Debates of August 23, 2007 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to bring this up again to the Minister of Human Resources here on the last day of Assembly, because the answers to these questions are so important and so serious to a constituent of mine in Hay River who's going to be wanting to hear the answer. One of the grounds of discrimination covered by the NWT Human Rights Act is family. Family status includes the status of being related to someone who requires your care. An employer's duty to accommodate includes accommodating, including family obligations. Family obligations could include requesting altered scheduling hours of work to accommodate caring for a family member. An employer is expected to look for ways to accommodate family obligations. The other consideration is that the family issues is an obligation, not a preference. Caring for an immediate family member with a disability is considered a family obligation. Does the Minister feel, or can he assure me, that the policy of the GNWT reflects this in the human rights legislation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 192-15(6): Human Resources Duty To Accommodate Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm obviously not a labour lawyer or qualified to interpret the legislation as it might be done before the courts, but I will assure the Member that we will have a look at the human rights legislation. We'll have a look at what the requirements are and ensure that this government is in compliance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 192-15(6): Human Resources Duty To Accommodate Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Minister concur that public servants of the GNWT should not have to take issues such as this to the Human Rights Commission to get a satisfactory solution; that as a leader and a role model in employing people in the public service in the Northwest Territories that this government should be setting that high standard and that it should directly comply with the human rights legislation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 192-15(6): Human Resources Duty To Accommodate Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would agree that the government should act as a role model and ensure that it is living up to all of the requirements of the human rights legislation in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 192-15(6): Human Resources Duty To Accommodate Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in response to a previous question, the Minister did say that he thought the duty to accommodate did not extend beyond the immediate employee of the government. By extension, this is a family obligation; this is a family member with a disability, not the employee themselves. If the existing policy does not include that provision by extension, will the Minister look at a means of revising our policy and legislation or manual that managers are guided by to ensure it does include this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 192-15(6): Human Resources Duty To Accommodate Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've already committed that we will review the human rights legislation and ensure that our policies are in line with that legislation.