Debates of May 26, 2023 (day 155)

Statements

Question 1523-19(2): Paid Emergency Leave

Merci, Monsieur le President. I do have a couple of questions for the Minister of Finance to follow up on my colleague's questions, the Member for Kam Lake yesterday on the issue of emergency paid leave as the Minister announced in the House yesterday.

I just want to make sure that that position has been communicated to staff within GNWT who are in a supervisory position so that they can work with the employees to make sure that they know that they could access  those that need it could access emergency paid leave if they had to leave Hay River or K'atlodeeche. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister responsible for Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we've mentioned Bear Facts here before. It is the primary tool for communication for all staff within the public service. And on May the 15th, we did put out a fairly detailed note here stating that employees required to evacuate, both Hay River, K'atlodeeche, may use emergency leave pursuant to the conditions in the collective agreement. So I certainly would hope that there's been no misunderstanding or lack of awareness of it, but I'm happy to have the chance to raise it again here in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. And I did have a look at the language in the collective agreement. The collective agreement allows for both paid or unpaid leave, but I think I heard clearly in the House yesterday that we're, as a government, going to allow members of the public service that were evacuated to use paid emergency leave. So can I just confirm that with the Minister and ensure that that's the message that's going to go out to the supervisory staff as well as to all GNWT employees. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, that is correct, that it would be paid leave for those who are subject to the evacuation order. Thank you.