Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Whitford on March 18, 1994 regarding a policy for advertising in southern newspapers.

The Department of Personnel is committed to hiring north and the affirmative action policy. Advertising outside the Northwest Territories is only undertaken when:

1. Advertising in the NWT has failed to attract qualified applicants; or,

When previous attempts to fill vacancies in the specific area are unsuccessful, Personnel will advertise north and south simultaneously. Such was the case of a transportation planner, recently advertised in the Toronto Globe and Mail. This position requires a degree in transportation planning, engineering of a related discipline with five years of experience in the areas of transportation planning, design, construction, operations and program development. This level of education and experience is not readily available in the north. The position is classified at pay level 29 and is not a junior level position. In keeping with the affirmative action policy and the government's northern hire philosophy, all northern applicants are given priority consideration. Thank you, Madam Speaker.