Debates of October 27, 2006 (day 17)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would just like to use my Member’s statement to express some of my concerns with the new Human Resources department. Mr. Speaker, although I am in full support of the amalgamation of the human resources and public services and the intent to develop a more balanced and representative public service here in the NWT, I feel that there are some important human resource issues related to why this government moved back to a stand-alone Human Resources department that are falling through the cracks as we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I am still receiving many inquiries and concerns from public service employees, mainly of aboriginal descent, that are not receiving the level of consideration for advancement or employment in the public service as originally perceived after applications are filed or positions are filled. Mr. Speaker, I realize there are many other factors like education requirements, experience or residency issues that play important roles in determining who will be offered advancement or employment in the public service. But I also, once again, emphasize our government’s responsibility to support and build on the existing under-represented sector of our public service as a whole; namely the northern aboriginal sector and the number of women in our government in management and the non-traditional occupations.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I have to point out a sad fact that, since the affirmative action policy was mandated in 1989 by this Legislature, there has never been and there still are no northern aboriginal persons in management in our own Legislative Assembly where the advocacy for equality is loudest.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to tell our public service to do as we say and not as we do. We have to set a good example and raise the bar right here where it is most visible to northerners. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause