Mr. Speaker, I know we work very carefully with the Department of Personnel. The honourable Member is correct in saying that women in trades fall very short of the objectives that have been set in the past. It has been two years since the document "Women in trades - a needs assessment" was completed. The document was developed by women in trades steering committee which included a representative from the Department of Personnel, the Equal Employment Directorate, the Department of Education, the Women's Directorate, Arctic College and the Department of Public Works.
Mr. Speaker, based on the findings and conclusions of the report, nine recommendations have been structured to identify the responsibilities and the specific action required. Mr. Speaker, as Members should know, there is a special advisor to the Government Leader, Bertha Norwegian, who proposes to do a follow-up with the GNWT departments as mentioned to determine what actions have and have not been taken. This responsibility has been given to the government's special advisor on women's issues.
Upon completion of the follow-up, a women and trades steering committee will be struck and one of the main objectives of the committee will be to outline implementation strategies based on the recommendations and, further, to identify what resources and time frames are required for the implementation. Mr. Speaker, this responsibility has been given to the special advisor so we can take an overall governmental approach, rather than a departmental one. Thank you.