Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue that I have raised before in this House with limited success, regarding the implementation of a policy in this government. I am talking about, Mr. Speaker, the

Affirmative Action Policy that this government has had in place to support aboriginal people for 12 years. We do not see the success rate or increases of aboriginal people in the government workforce. This government must effectively implement the policy, which has not happened.

Without the Department of Personnel, there is no consultation in dealing with affirmative action applicants and clients. Most jobs in regard to the Affirmative Action Policy are being filled more in relation to labour positions and lower standards of opportunities of this government. Mr. Speaker, individuals who attend post-secondary education, and to obtain their degrees at universities and come back home are still having a hard time finding jobs with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we may point fingers at BHP and other companies to implement social impact agreements and ensuring that a certain percentage of positions will be filled by northerners and aboriginal people, but, Mr. Speaker, in this government, especially in the area of management positions only 12 percent are held by aboriginal people. We need to look at many aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories who have schooling degrees and work in the private sector and ask ourselves why are those people not in the Government of the Northwest Territories workforce.

There maybe many questions asked through this government in regard to the Affirmative Action Policy, but, Mr. Speaker, it is important that if we are going to have policies that we ensure they are there for the purpose of benefiting those who the policy was drafted for. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister a question on the Affirmative Action Policy and why is it not working.

--Applause