Mr. Speaker, I have two returns. The first one is in response to a question asked by the honourable Mr. Nerysoo on November 30 with regard to assessment of positions within the Department of Public Works.
The Member from Mackenzie Delta asked me an oral question on November 30, on whether I would be prepared, as the Minister of Personnel, to embark on a review process to indicate the potential consequences for aboriginal or northern workers of the privatization policy. I agreed to do so. I assumed that the Member was also concerned about the impact of our downsizing and consolidation efforts. My response deals with all these issues across the government.
At the moment, where organizational change is considered, there are standard processes in place which require departments to do assessments, both in the initial planning and prior to implementation to ensure that the impacts on the northern work force are thoroughly considered. As Members may know, the government has established two support programs to assist employees affected by downsizing and decentralization. These programs have been very successful in locating alternative jobs for staff, and for aboriginal people in particular.
So far across the government, although 176 jobs were eliminated in 1992-93 by decentralization, or downsizing or consolidation of departments, only 61 employees were affected. That is because most departments left positions vacant to avoid laying off staff. At this point, alternatives have been located for 31 of the 34 employees who were interested in employment elsewhere in the government. Twenty-seven employees have opted to take the enhanced severance payments rather than consider alternative jobs. Only eight aboriginal employees have been affected to date. Of these, two have found alternative jobs, one will be looking for a transfer when she returns from sick leave and five have chosen to take enhanced severance payments instead of accepting transfers.
Before Cabinet will approve any request for major organizational changes which will displace staff, a proposal is considered by an Organization Review Committee in the Department of the Executive to ensure that the changes are in the best interests of the Northwest Territories and staff. Detailed plans for dealing with the needs of all staff are included in any submissions to Cabinet. The impact of these initiatives will be monitored closely and I will report to this House on the results.