Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Erasmus opened his remarks by stating that all Members endorsed this report. There will be many members of the public who will not take the time to pick up this particular report, so I would like to advise him that there is in fact a minority report at the end of this particular document. I believe, in this House I have stated my position on the Affirmative Action Policy and it is on record in this House. I have also stated that it has been, and I think still continues to be, one of the most divisive products that this government has put in place.
Mr. Chairman, in 1989, the Government of the NWT implemented a policy to have a public service that is representative of the population it serves. This policy is known as the Affirmative Action Policy. In 1994/95, the previous government commissioned a review of this policy. FMBS personnel conducted this work. This review was to provide data, review results, and recommend options for the future. A report was compiled in June of 1996 listing 25 recommendations for change. When this report was presented to the Standing Committee on Government Operations, it was rejected and sent back to the department. A second report was prepared, but the committee still did not like its contents, so Government Operations struck a sub-committee to do its own review of the Affirmative Action Policy and prepare its own report. The May 1997 report, entitled Report of the Working Group on Affirmative Action and Human Resource Management, forms the recommendation of that working group.
Mr. Chairman, the sad thing about the Affirmative Action Policy is the difference of opinion that exists between ordinary Members and Cabinet Members. These two groups are not united in the fundamental philosophy and purpose of the Affirmative Action Policy. We have witnessed a hiring of senior officials who were not hired using affirmative action criteria, but on hiring the best person for the job. We have empowered the present government to run our territory. On a number of occasions they have asked us not to tie their hands. I can sympathize with that request. As an employer, I could not care less what colour or gender an individual is. I just want to ensure that they can do the job and provide the best service to my customers. Mr. Steen talked yesterday about a number of heavy equipment operators trained in the north. When we have these employees, why do employers like Robinsons Trucking go south for their employee needs? We must ask the hard questions. Why are employers who know the people, who can save money by not having to provide accommodation, relocation costs, go south to hire employees? We have to find the answer to the root of this. I suspect that one reason is that northern employees are not knocking down the doors of the employers looking for work. This and many more questions have to be explored and answered.
Our senior government bureaucracy has been referred to as an old boys' club. I look forward to finding out what name will be given to businesses who cannot attract and hire northerners. These so called southern workers referred to by Mr. Steen have learned to do what we in the north still have to learn, get up in the morning, get to the employer's door and tell them you are ready and willing to provide a decent day's work for a decent day's pay, not only today but everyday.
The Honourable Ms. Thompson, Minister of MACA, is a champion of women's rights. She publicly denounced gender parity for Nunavut and stood her ground on not filling elected positions based on gender. This same honourable Minister has filled senior personnel positions in her department from the south and by her action has denounced the government's policy of affirmative action. I remember Ms. Thompson telling me in this House that she hired the best person for the job based on their abilities and qualifications. I commend this Minister and others for hiring the most qualified people to do the work within this government. We need and deserve and want the best person for the job. Taxpayers deserve and demand that they get the best value for the dollars spent.
This government is charged by us to run this territory. There has been a great deal of time spent on the Affirmative Action Policy. Two revised reports have been prepared. Mr. Chairman, this government has recognized the dividing factors of the Affirmative Action Policy and would prefer not to have to deal with them. Until we deal with the fundamental root of the matter, we will never agree. Mr. Chairman, the only term cure by a bureaucracy which is committed to putting all our energies and resources into ensuring a healthy society will resolve the problems the Affirmative Action Policy was supposed to resolve. We must ensure a population for the future of the NWT which is producing healthy children who are nurtured and educated, who in turn will secure their own place in the workforce. Until we can do this, Mr. Chairman, we will continue to have a hiring policy which will forever plague us with problems. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.