I am impressed with the job on launching his consultation initiative on revenue generation. Many of us have been impressed with the way he has consistently provided support to his staff. I am concerned, however, about the way the Department of Personnel has been dismantled and by the increasing responsibility that each department is taking for its own hiring.
In the Northwest Territories, it is important to remember that there needs to be some centralization of the Personnel function to ensure that the make-up of the public service truly reflects the population we represent. It becomes far too easy, I am afraid, for some of our affirmative action and other important policies to be overlooked if they are administered by junior-level public servants and isolated departments. Mr. Speaker, I believe that affirmative action must continue within this public service. I am concerned that the Minister's comprehensive review of affirmative action policies seems to be stuck in the mud. I emphasize that because this initiative is too important to be allowed to flounder. I would urge the Minister to support the continuation of this policy. There might be some need for modification, but I believe northerners will accept that, but I don't think northerners will want to see it eliminated.
Mr. Speaker, certainly the Minister of Finance and FMBS will be able to bring energy into the review by avoiding southern consultants, which he has done, and I commend him for that; by opening the process for more active participation; and, by the aboriginal organizations that have the greatest stake in the policy and in the process. So, frankly, when you consider the way this initiative has gone, I think a B is probably pretty good for this Minister. But if he feels like complaining about this grade, Mr. Speaker, we then have to remind him again about Expo.