Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to make a brief comment regarding the integration of the Personnel Secretariat into the Department of Executive. I have indicated since the first announcement this was a recommendation from the proper committee my concern with this initiative, I had indicated that I was worried that affirmative action and other policies of this government might not be implemented properly.
Quite some time ago, at the beginning of April or thereabouts, prior to the students coming back from university, I had asked questions on how this government was going to deal with putting our students to work when they got back. I have heard some complaints that people are putting in requests for specific students and I am quite concerned that this does not follow our affirmative action policy. It doesn't allow for this government to show a commitment to those people who have shown a commitment to the North. Having people put in a request for a specific student who might be a manager's son or daughter, or a manager's friend's son or daughter, who may have only been in the Territories for a year or two, is no way of doing business.
Our jobs for students should be for those long-term students who have been in the North and have shown a commitment to the North. The Minister of FMBS had indicated that during their negotiations, he had attempted to get the union to agree to have a separate category for students, so we could have more jobs for students. Pay them a little less so you can use the money allocated for student positions and have more jobs. The union told them no. So in some instances, we are paying students $20 an hour, some $18 and some $14.
In a case when there aren't enough positions to go around, this government should have the initiative to ensure that our affirmative action policy is being followed in the area of our students. Mr. Chairman, is this an indication of what is going to happen in the next years that are upcoming?
This policy was implemented April 1st, as I understand it. It is less than two months later and already long-term northerners are being overlooked for others who haven't been here for that long. I know that there have been other Members who have expressed the fact that they are concerned. Recently, Mr. Ootes was asking about our students. Mr. Picco also asked. I am not alone. We need assurances that affirmative action and other government policies will be properly implemented. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.