Debates of February 6, 2024 (day 2)

Date
February
6
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
2
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakelaya.
Topics
Statements

Question 4-20(1): Regional Director Position

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my opening Member's statement, there's concern in Inuvik that the regional director position is not filled. The question is for the Premier, Mr. Speaker, why hasn't the department filled that role since the current person retired in 2020? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so the was decisions made in the previous government. I can't speak to those decisions, but I can say that, you know, as Minister of ECE I know I put a lot of jobs in Inuvik so, yes, I'm a big supporter of positions in communities and in the regions. And I'll say that it's both Members from Inuvik who have brought this to my attention, so it is definitely on my radar and something that I have initiated discussions with the department about. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Mr. Premier, for the answer. Does the department have a timeline for when they see this position filled, and is it something that is now actively being advertised?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And there is not an active competition. I think the department wants to look at all of our options, understanding that we are going to begin working with Indigenous governments and in a different way going forward. We want to ensure that the supports that we put in place are appropriate for that new way of doing business. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Mr. Premier. Given this important role, there are positions in the region, I'm sure in other communities as well, in other regions, will the Premier commit to having the department do an assessment of senior leadership positions in the region at a whole, in its entirety? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't want to task the department with a bunch of work at this point. Once we get those priorities in, then we're going to have the opportunity to do that work and we will be looking at positions all across the North, funded positions, unfunded positions, vacant positions, filled positions. We really want a good overview of the positions that we have and how they're working and how they're supporting the regions. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.