Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about Indigenous employees in the GNWT. It's a topic that has been raised numerous times in this House, Mr. Speaker. The public service is the largest employer in the Northwest Territories, whether it's federal, territorial, or municipal community government. The public service is present in every community and employs the majority of NWT residents.
And, Mr. Speaker, we know the GNWT has grown over the years. The latest labour force activity reports show a total public service in the NWT grew by 500 over the past year. But, Mr. Speaker, I'm concerned that as the public service grows, is the number of Indigenous employees also growing? Based on the 20222023 Public Service Annual Report, Indigenous Aboriginal employees represent 29 percent of the entire public service, including departments and agencies, Mr. Speaker. Out of a total of 6,481 employees, 1,883 are Indigenous Aboriginal. Also, Mr. Speaker, Indigenous Aboriginal females have far greater representation in the GNWT workforce at 21.1 percent whereas Indigenous Aboriginal men represent a mere 7.9 percent.
Mr. Speaker, what are the supports in place to bring Indigenous Aboriginal men into the GNWT workforce and to develop their skills over time?
Mr. Speaker, I do want to recognize the significant work that was accomplished over the life of the 19th Assembly to increase Indigenous representation in the workforce. In response to the standing committee's report on Indigenous representation in the Northwest Territories public service, the GNWT committed to developing a new policy that solely prioritized to hiring of Indigenous persons. Mr. Speaker, this is one tool the GNWT has to improve Indigenous hires in the GNWT. I encourage what tools have been used successfully over the past few years and what policies and programs actually improved the outcome of Indigenous hires in the GNWT. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
