This is page numbers 143 - 180 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 1st Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was ---agreed.

Topics

Further Return To Question O149-12(1): Sale Of GNWT Housing To Employees
Question O149-12(1): Sale Of GNWT Housing To Employees
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 154

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that by the next session of the Legislature I should be in a position to give the Members that information. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O149-12(1): Sale Of GNWT Housing To Employees
Question O149-12(1): Sale Of GNWT Housing To Employees
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 154

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Government Leader. Given the need to delegate and streamline greater decision making at the regional level, which I assume also means at the departmental level, and given that during the territorial leadership selection process when Ms. Cournoyea was a candidate seeking our support for the position of Government Leader, my colleague for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike, asked her to restructure the government organization so that regional superintendents and directors would have more spending authority at the regional level, my question to the

Government Leader is, would the Government Leader give consideration to increasing the current levels of spending to the regional administration at the regional level? If the answer is yes, when? Is that two questions?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

I think the first question is "if" and we can deal with the second question. It is still hypothetical. The first question, Madam Government Leader.

Return To Question O150-12(1): Increased Spending Authority At Regional Level
Question O150-12(1): Increased Spending Authority At Regional Level
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, yes we would consider giving more levels of spending authority to the regional level, but it will not happen before the 90-day freeze at least.

Return To Question O150-12(1): Increased Spending Authority At Regional Level
Question O150-12(1): Increased Spending Authority At Regional Level
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Government Leader who, I believe, has the statutory authority under the Public Service Act to make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding deputy ministers. Will the Government Leader advise this House whether she intends to establish a working policy wherein vacancies in deputy ministers positions will be open to competition?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Madam Government Leader.

Return To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I cannot make that commitment because I have made statements to this House that we are trying to streamline this government, and I do not believe that at this time it would be appropriate for us to go out to competition to hire more deputy ministers when the general direction we have been given is to streamline the government and have less deputy ministers and fewer assistant deputy ministers, and fewer directors. I think we have enough now to take on those responsibilities until such time as we find out where we are going in the consolidation. However, if it comes to a time and opportunity where we do not have people to slip in for shorter periods of time, or spell off until we get a more clear consolidation going, yes I certainly would suggest we go to competition. Thank you.

Return To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mr. Speaker, in statements prior to this today, the Government Leader talked about open government and access. Does the Government Leader not believe that open government implies open access to senior appointments within the public service?

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Madam Government Leader.

Further Return To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I think that I have given a full disclosure on what the intentions of this government are regarding consolidation, and I do not believe that it is wise or fair to have people recruited for positions that may not be there for any length of time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Further supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Government Leader willing to review any changes in employment status of the deputy minister of Economic Development and in the spirit of open government, advise this House the reasons why this term was extended behind closed doors?

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Government Leader is aware of my ruling. You may answer the question.

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I will check into it and try to provide some background on that issue.

Supplementary To Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Question O151-12(1): Open Competition For Deputy Minister Positions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The question is taken as notice. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, this is a question to the Minister of Personnel. Yesterday I indicated a concern in respect to employees violating the oath of office and secrecy. The Minister of Personnel basically indicated that it was the union that released this information. Does the Minister feel it is okay, approved and all right for civil servants to release confidential information to the union and not do anything about it?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for Personnel.

Return To Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Item 5: Oral Questions

December 16th, 1991

Page 155

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the reason as I recall, in the heat of the summer -- there were a lot of reasons given -- the reasons the staff of government shared certain information with the unions was because they felt afraid for their jobs and their personal well-being, and they turned to the unions for some protection and advice. The unions decided to use the information given to them in a way that no one agreed with, perhaps. But that is the way things happened. In my view, the behaviour and the action of the staff seemed to be reasonable, given the circumstances that they found themselves in.

Return To Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, so the Minister feels there is no need for an oath of office and secrecy to be signed by civil servants?

Supplementary To Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for Personnel.

Further Return To Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Question O152-12(1): Violation Of The Oath Of Office And Secrecy
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 155

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I believe there is a need for employers and employees to have some sort of oath, given that it is a public government, that there are certain duties that employees are agreeing to live up to. But I think the main word I am trying to use here is: What is the reasonable expectation of these people? If people drop a piece of information in the garbage can, is that an unreasonable act? Are they sharing with the people who go through papers at the garbage dump? There has to be some measure of reason given to govern the behaviour of people. In the case that this Member is dwelling on, I believe that the actions of these people were reasonable.